It must be my week for receiving enticing and delicious packages in the mail.
However, on this one I had some forewarning. A couple of weeks ago, I was sent an email asking if I would like to be sent a free Hotel Chocolat Signature Egg, in return for reviewing it here on the Prattle.
I have to confess I did a slight double-take at the implication that I might actually refuse free chocolate, but soon recovered from my shock, got in contact and sorted out details.
For the sake of transparency, I should at this point out that I am not in anyway affiliated with Hotel Chocolat, I don’t get squazillions of chocolate if you all rush out and buy one (more’s the pity) and I’m completely free to say what ever I like in the course of this review.
I just got to eat lots of luxury chocolate to give you the inside scoop – but you know how it is, I’m always prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty on your behalf. With that cleared up, on with the review…
I’d heard of Hotel Chocolat before, associated the name with a luxury chocolate brand, but had never got around to trying any of their products. Even so, when I received the parcel I couldn’t help but be impressed. Right from the start, the packaging just screams quality and high-class chocolate (in a very understated and refined way, of course).
I’m usually bitterly disappointed with Easter Eggs; after all the excitement and hype, you spend ages taking off about 20 layers of packaging, find a tiny little egg inside with wafer thin chocolate and if you’re lucky a minuscule little bag of sweets inside. Not so with the Signature egg.
On removing from the cardboard outer, the egg is reassuringly solid and heavy.
The egg itself is two distinct halves – one side plain chocolate and the other milk. The shell is thick and makes a nice substantial “crack” as you break a slab of chocolate away from it. The plain side is tart, without having that residual bitter after taste you get in some dark chocolates. The milk side is rich, creamy and substantial. No disappointment in sight.
But the most impressive part of all is the filling. The egg is crammed with mini “egg” truffles. All potently alcoholic. I’d describe them all to you, but they are very rich and I have eaten only the amaretto one which was divine. I shall be eking them out over several days so I can fully appreciate them and not get chocolate fatigue.
The only downside (you knew there’d be one, didn’t you?) is that at £19 plus postage, this is not a cheap Easter Egg. However, unlike the cheap and tacky ones stacked to the ceiling in Tescos, this egg really feels like it’s worth every penny.
If your budget still can’t quite stretch, then you may be glad to know that Hotel Chocolat are currently running a competition to win one of 20 Easter Hampers with enough goodies to make even the most hardened chocoholic squeal with joy. Visit The Online Easter Egg Hunt for more details – but hurry, I think the competition ends tonight…
12 responses so far ↓
1 Alley Katt // 2nd Apr 2007 at 7:37 pm
Free chocolate – everyone’s dream isn’t it? Except my wife’s. She would definitely turn down the option of free chocolate. Although, she could say yes and give all to me. :)
Nicely done.
2 Dom // 2nd Apr 2007 at 7:40 pm
Just FYI, I recommend against eating all the truffles in one sitting…
3 Gordon // 2nd Apr 2007 at 7:48 pm
Apparently I’m getting something from Hotel Chocolat for Easter… photos will be provided.. presuming I don’t just scoff it all!!
4 ian // 2nd Apr 2007 at 8:10 pm
I can’t believe you’ve opened it and scoffed it already! You’re going straight to Hell!
5 sylvia // 2nd Apr 2007 at 11:14 pm
*sniff* I want one!
And I agree with Ian. :P
6 Cat // 3rd Apr 2007 at 8:19 am
Mmmm… chocolate…! I’ve used Hotel Chocolat a few times for gifts and would definitely recommend them. The rose & violet box they do is also delicious, and something a little bit different choc assortment-wise.
7 Crofty // 3rd Apr 2007 at 8:35 am
Humph! I’d have done it; they only had to ask.
8 Alley Katt // 3rd Apr 2007 at 12:36 pm
I get films from lovefilm.com, and the other day they sent me a free bar of Green and Black butterscotch chocolate. It is heaven in a bar. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
9 valb // 3rd Apr 2007 at 11:57 pm
Pewari, you lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, *insert non-offensive word here to indicate child of unmarried parents or female dog*
I’ve had my eye on the half and half Hotel Chocolat egg – it looks divine, but I must admit the thickness of the shell is a slight deterrent to me at the moment, since I have had a very sore jaw for over two months. Still, if I was sent one, I’d force myself through the pain barrier…
10 Pewari // 4th Apr 2007 at 6:12 am
Alley Katt: *laugh* seems like a good arrangement to me! Am jealous of the free Green & Blacks – I’m a member of lovefilm.com and *I* didn’t get any!!
Dom: that sounds like the voice of bitter experience ;)
Gordon: I think you’re in for a treat!
Ian: I haven’t, I haven’t! I’ve now eaten a grand total of 2 of the truffle eggs, and a small piece of both sides! I’m being very restrained…
Sylvia: :P
Cat: I have to say after meandering through their website, I’m very tempted by the taster club thing…
Crofty: bloggers are such *dedicated* and self-sacrificing people, aren’t they? ;)
valb: it’s thick but not jaw-breakingly so – you can snap bits off with your fingers…. g’wan… treat yourself ;)
11 Tami // 4th Apr 2007 at 12:51 pm
Truffles are my favorite! I am so jealous right now!
12 Pewari // 7th Apr 2007 at 5:52 pm
Tami: they’re really boozy truffles too – probably best not to eat too many before driving ;) Sorry, I’m not helping with that jealousy problem, am I?…
The views expressed in these comments are not the views of the publisher. However, we believe in the rights of others to express their legitimate views and concerns. Any legitimate complaint emailed to pewari@may.be will be seriously considered and the post reviewed as desirable and necessary.
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