10 Gift Ideas for UK Craft Chocolate Lovers
As craft chocolate enthusiasts and tasters, we are forever curious, not just about flavours but where they come from and how they are expressed. We will always appreciate more chocolate, but if you want to show the chocolate enthusiast in your life that you really understand their passion, I have put together a list of gifts you can source in the UK, that go beyond the bars.
This is an updated list from the one collated in 2020, a list of my personal recommendations, things that I have found useful in my chocolate journey or would love to receive as a gift.
1. The perfect stocking filler
We all love a tote bag. I am sure I am not alone, in fact I know I am not alone in saying I have tote bags full of tote bags. This one is a little special though, right on message!
By kind permission of Dormouse Chocolates
Dormouse Chocolates Tote bag https://dormousechocolates.com/products/tote-bag
2. Chocolate vessels
Craft chocolate and artisan ceramics are a perfect pairing, communicating the respect for raw materials and the expressive skills of the maker. When crafted by artists, these simple vessels, when serving our craft chocolate, create an escape from the mundane and inspire reflection and contemplation. So seek out your local ceramicist. My daily rituals are helped by the work of these makers:
3. Molecular musings
A new take on the art and science of flavour, presented by flavor scientist Arielle Johnson, whose love of chemistry and gastronomy make this guide an extremely accessible study of the how and why behind taste and flavour. For Johnson, there are four laws of flavour: flavour is taste and smell; flavour follows predictable patterns; flavour can be concentrated, extracted and infused; and flavor can be created and transformed; all essential learning for a chocolate enthusiast.
Flavorama
4. Frothy encounters
We love the aromatic foam on the top of our hot chocolate, just as our fellow chocolate enthusiasts of ancient Mesoamerica did. Today, in addition to the traditional molinillo we have a choice of foaming aids. As a stocking filler - avoiding the use of batteries - you could gift a mini hand whisk like I use. Or if you want to splash out, the hot chocolate specialists Knoops, sell a Dualit milk frother and hot chocolate maker which I admit, I have been eyeing up for a while now!
5. A trip with a cicerone
I had the pleasure of joining David Nilsen in conversation for his brilliantly named Bean to Barstool podcast. David is an Advanced Cicerone and author of the book Pairing Beer and Chocolate: A Guide to Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together. After talking to David and reading the reviews, this is at the top of my Christmas list this year.
Image by kind permission of David Nilsen
Pairing Beer and Chocolate is available in the UK from Cocoa Runners and all good book retailers
6. Homemade cacao vodka
Quick and easy and made with the right cacao, this gift would be greatly appreciated by anyone who likes the true taste of chocolate in a Christmas cocktail. You need to leave the vodka to infuse for two weeks. The recipe is very flexible but as a guide, if you use 150g of cocoa nibs (from a bean to bar UK maker, Tosier or Bare Bones for example) to 500ml vodka that will be fine. I usually simply add them to the vodka bottle but you can also do this in a sterilised storage jar. If you want to include the other ingredients, there is a recipe for the Christmas Cacao Cosmo on my blog.
7. Cacao craft
Representations of cacao for display, education and adornment are an essential chocolate enthusiast's accessory. Beltran cacao maker from Venezuela is the master of cacao sculpture. He ships worldwide and I have ordered directly from Beltran previously. (Sadly, they are no longer available from Leaf and Bean Co. in the UK) You can also buy the bracelets from Solkiki Chocolate who sell different origin solid bronze cacao beans too! (They were previously available via Leaf and Bean
Beltran cacao sculptures shipped worldwide from Beltran Cacao Maker.
8. The ultimate comfort
We still appreciate comfort and joy in chocolate and this is delivered in abundance in a craft chocolate spread. When made with cacao and nuts that match in flavour and quality you can't go wrong. These are both award-winning hazelnut spreads: Solkiki and Allo Simone (available from Chocolate Seekers). Pictured is the new macademia nut spread from Solkiki, you have no idea how hard it was not to dip my fingers in before finishing this shot!
9. Books and chocolate
If you are feeling adventurous you could try and pair chocolate with a book. This is my latest pairing: brother.do.you.love.me by Manni Coe and Reuben Coe. This is a book full of hope and resilience, the joint memoir of two brothers, one who has Down's syndrome and the time they spent together repairing their lives. This joyful reading experience would pair with any festive craft chocolate festive bars but I chose these four:
Fjak gløgg (Mulled Wine)
Fjak Lingonberry and Reindeer Lichen
Neary Nogs Old Fashioned Orange Bitters, Burnt Sugar and Irish Whiskeys
Solkiki Dutch Christmas Pudding
10. More Cocoa Encounters
Tasters and enthusiasts will find opportunities to taste, learn and enjoy with me at one of my deep-dive tastings or local experiences. A gift voucher can be redeemed against any of my online tastings, in-person events or IICCT Chocolate Tasting Courses.. You can buy a gift voucher to the value of your choice here.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
