Chocolate and food blog

Faith, Chocolate & the Divine Bean: A Sacred Journey

Explore how faith shaped chocolate’s 3,000-year story from Maya temples to Quaker factories and today’s Fairtrade farms.

Tony’s Chocolonely: The Sweet Blind Spot

Investigating Tony’s Chocolonely’s ethical sugar gap how mass balance sugar contrasts with the brand’s transparent cocoa sourcing.

Barrel Aged Chocolate: Craft Meets Coffee Innovation

Explore the world of barrel-aged chocolate cocoa matured in oak casks for rich, layered flavour and collaboration between chocolatiers and distillers.

The Chocolate Lexicon | A–Z of Fine Chocolate Terms

Explore the complete A–Z of chocolate terms your guide to the craft, chemistry, and flavour language of artisan and bean-to-bar chocolate

 

El Señor del Cacao: Mexico’s Sacred Chocolate Story

Explore the sacred origins of Mexican chocolate through the story of El Señor del Cacao where cacao bridges faith, flavour, and cultural memory.

Mapping Flavour: The Eight Realms of Chocolate | Coeur de Xocolat

Explore the Eight Realms of Flavour a sensory tasting guide for chocolate professionals and enthusiasts.

Chocolate and the Brain: Science Behind Dark Chocolate

Explore the science linking dark chocolate, flavanols, and brain health  where indulgence meets evidence-based cognitive 

nutrition.

 

Popping Candy in Chocolate: Shelf Life & Storage Guide

Learn the science behind popping candy, why moisture kills the effect, and expert tips to keep your chocolate bars popping and crackling for longer.

The Hidden Microclimates of Cocoa How Terroir Shapes Chocolate Flavour

Discover how microclimates create unique cocoa flavours — and why terroir matters for farmers, chocolate makers, and every chocolate lover.

True Cost of a Craft Chocolate Bar: Lessons from Chocoa 2025

See exactly where the money goes when you buy fine flavour chocolate — from farm gate to your hands

Amsterdam Urban Chocolate Safari® | Behind-the-Scenes Cocoa Tour at Daarnhouwer

A guided chocolate lover’s adventure through Amsterdam — including a rare behind-the-scenes tour of Daarnhouwer, tastings of single-origin cocoa, and an immersive journey into the city’s cocoa history.

Sweetness Beyond Borders: How Chocolate Tastes Differently Around the World

Explore how sweetness levels in chocolate differ across countries — and why culture, history, and health trends shape what “tastes just right.”

From Pod to Plume: Turning Cocoa into Liquid Smoke

Learn how to make cocoa liquid smoke from pods and prunings — a sustainable chef’s trick that transforms waste into flavour.

How to Post Chocolate in Warm Weather (Without a Meltdown!)

Smart tips for shipping chocolate in summer. Prevent melting, protect quality, and deliver your creations safely — even during a heatwave.

How Long Do Cacao Trees Really Live?

Discover why older cacao trees are worth saving — and how farmers are challenging the 25-year myth with wisdom, care, and sustainable practices.

The Women Who Changed the Fate of Chocolate (and the World)

Meet Malintzin — the Nahua woman whose voice and courage helped shape the fate of chocolate and world history.

Can Coffee and Cocoa Grow Together in Ghana?

Explore how cocoa and coffee can grow together on Ghana’s farms. Discover the benefits of polyculture, climate resilience, and new income opportunities for cocoa farmers.

Red Ants and Midgies: Nature’s Secret Allies on the Cocoa Farm

Discover how red ants and tiny midgies help cocoa farmers protect and pollinate their crops — a natural partnership behind every chocolate bar.

A Century in the Shade: Why Cocoa Farmers in Peru and Ecuador Are the Real Guardians of Flavour

South American farmers are preserving cocoa trees over 100 years old — safeguarding rare flavour and genetics. Here’s why that matters for the future of chocolate

Small-Scale, Big Impact: Why Cocoa Fermentation Depth Matters More Than Equipment

Discover the science behind cocoa fermentation depth and explore accessible fermentation methods for smallholder farmers — from buckets to trays — that unlock fine chocolate flavour at origin.

From Pets de Nonne to Chocolate Snot: A Seriously Silly History of Irreverent Chocolate Dishes (avec un clin d’œil)

“A cheeky journey through chocolate’s naughtiest recipe names — real history, real laughs, real cocoa.”

From Fiction to Flavour: Bringing Vianne to Life in Chocolate

Discover the real-life inspiration behind Vianne — a tale of chocolate, storytelling, and shared passion. From the rainforest to The One Show, this journey blends fiction, flavour, and friendship in every bite.

When Chocolate Speaks in Fireworks: Synaesthesia & the Final Taste

A journey through the senses: explore how chocolate speaks in colour, sound, and emotion through the lens of synaesthesia.

What Does Chocolate Sound Like? The Sonic Signature of Flavour

Discover the overlooked symphony of chocolate — explore how sound shapes flavour, emotion, and anticipation in every bite.

What Does Flavour Feel Like? A Chocolatier’s Guide to the Emotional Texture of Chocolate”

Discover how chocolate speaks through texture — from snap to melt — and what flavour truly feels like.

"What Does Colour Smell Like? A Chocolatier’s Guide to Flavour Descriptions in Chocolate Tasting"

A sensory chocolate tasting guide that explores how colours like green, red, and purple describe chocolate flavours. Perfect for connoisseurs and curious chocolate lovers.

From Currency to Confection: The Story of the Original Chocolate Coin

Discover how cocoa beans powered ancient economies before becoming our favourite festive treat.

Mayan Legends: Stories to Savour with a Sip of Cacao

Journey into the heart of cacao through myth, flavour, and craft.
From the mischievous Aluxes to the love of Sac-Nicté and Canek, discover how ancient legends and modern makers protect the soul of chocolate. These are the Guardians of Flavour.

Ganache Troubleshooting: How to Fix a Split, Seized or Soggy Disaster

A practical guide to fixing common ganache problems—from splitting and seizing to runny or dull textures—with pro tips and real kitchen hacks.

Everything In Its Place: Why Mise en Place Is the Unsung Hero of the Kitchen

Discover the timeless discipline of mise en place — the quiet preparation that powers every great kitchen, from Escoffier’s brigade to the chocolatier’s bench.