Chocolate blog

Coeur de Xocolat goes down under!

exciting times as Lydia takes Coeur de Xocolat on walk about to Australia

Why we eat mince pies at Christmas

Some of us eat them by the dozens as Christmas approaches but there’s more to the mince pie than you may have realised.

We think the first mince pie was known by a few different names, “Christmas pie, mutton pie, and shrid pie" Usually filled with minced lamb, not dried fruit like we eat them today.

Mendiants are the prefect lockdown treat

Get your home chocolate making started here Chocolate mendiants are atruly delicious French confectionery traditionally given out at Christmas time, each one a little bite sized treat of both sweetness and crunch, they are colourful way to round up a dinner or a luxurious little treat to enjoy with a coffee or glass of whiskey.

Advent calendars and the story behind them

On the first of December, children and chocoholics all around the world will be opening the first door of their Christmas Advent Calendars, excited to see what image and chocolate, is hidden inside. 

Let’s make 2020 a chocolatey Christmas

Chocolate advent calendars are a great token of your affections, they have gone by Christmas day, so they are not the only option for chocolate-lovers.

Virtual Team building

Are you looking for some effective team building exercises to bring your team together?

Then why not try chocolate tasting with an award winning company

Can You temper chocolate via Sous Vide?

Water traditionally the enemy of melted chocolate. The smallest amount can make it seize, giving you grainy, ugly, chocolate—dry everything well before sealing!

Lets try Sous Vide Tempered Chocolate

The interesting past of chocolate covered raisins

I love reading about the origins of food and particularly chocolate this confection dates back years before the introduction of the relative new kid on the chocolate block Raisinets in 1927 across America

Religion and chocolate

Having done lots of research about chocolate and its history and some theology studies, I have found its just about impossible to separate chocolate and religion,

How to make a sour dough starter

While we are staying away from the high street and trying to fill our enforced free-time now is the time to dust off the the pinny and learn how to make bread again.

Elevate your barbecue with cocoa and flame rubs

Is it is grilling season yet?

for me more half the meals I cook at home involve the open flame, charcoal, or wood. I love to grill meat and fish but also vegetables for side dishes fruits for desserts.

Chocolate safari Dubai

Dubai with its ultra modern buildings and scorching heat isn’t the first place you’d think to look for premium chocolate let alone an award winning bean to bar maker artisan chocolate factory.

How to dehydrate fruits, vegetables and herbs

Winter can be dull and drab but it's also the time of yearthe shops and markets are full of brightly coloured tangy flavoured citrus fruit like lemons, limes oranges, and kumquats they can bring a ray of sunshine to the darkest days, and can easily be dehydrated, to use all year round.

Top Tips for networking meetings

I assume like me you are bombarded with emails inviting you to a networking breakfast or an early evening meet up, sometimes these are regional sometimes trade specific, some charge a fee some are free but what is true they are often a valuable source of information and even new business. Here are a few of my tips to get the best from networking.

cocoa butter what is it and can you cook with it?

Let find out about cocoa butter, what is it and can you cook with it?

Christmas 2019: it’s the most chocolatey time of the year

Is christmas the most chocolatey time of year?

Work Christmas Parties

Tis the season to P-A-R-T-Y. Yes, the Christmas Party is looming!

But are you one of these people that can’t wait to let your hair down and let loose with the people you see every day or are you one of those folk that slowly fills up with dread when you see the invite drop into your inbox?

Cocoa How to Brew With it

There aren’t many things that are as evocative as chocolate. it attributed with everything from giving us strength, intelligence and health to imbuing us with aphrodisiac powers  atrue elixir from the indies. Now, much of this may just be legend, that’s for you to decide,

Chocolate cocktails are a thing!

Can you pair spirts and liquers with chocolate to make cocktails or are they too sweet to mix? Well when I was invited to spent some time with the mixologists at Virgin Atlantic's Heathrow T3 upperclass lounge we discovered the the answer.

Herbs can keep unwanted insects from your table and kitchen

Its BBQ session again you know the its time to shop, chop, rub, marinade, chill, prepare

then take the banquet outside just to find you are also catering for every flying thing imageable, mosquitoes, flies, gnats, ants all looking for a free lunch.

Chefs tips for barbecue perfection

The open flame is the oldest cooking method in the world here are some tips for BBQ perfection

People & Behaviours not Things & Stuff

There is now a well-established school of thought amongst many businesses which says that focus, time and investment should be placed on people and the development of the right behaviours over delivering the short-term profit and objectives.

Amsterdam chocolate safari®

Why not take a chocolate trip and try a Guided chocolate safari® to Amsterdam 

Ribeira Ize and the story of the black princess

Príncipe has its own princess D. Maria Correia - the Black Princess who originates from the origional inhibitants of the island, but also from a noble wealthy family. Her history and story are worthy of book or movie.

Dry hibiscus blossoms at home

Dry hibiscus blossoms at home to use in your cullinary creations

Amazing foods, from the islands of São Tomé and Principe

a short journey through the amazing food, from the islands São Tomé and Principe

Start-Up Smart

I have had the opportunity and pleasure of working with a broad range of businesses across many different industries, countries and stages of development.

Pair Herbs & Spices with Chocolate

Pair Herbs & Spices with Chocolate 16 great ideas

12 things you didn't know about Easter

12 interesting facts about easter eggs

In is the new Out?

 Is staying in the new going out more and more people are opting to be entertained at home