The Chocolate Trading Co have one of the best websites I have ever come across: not only is it simple and easy to use and navigate but it contains kilos upon kilos of beautiful chocolate. I have spent hours going through it and ordering bits and bars of chocolate from all over the world especially since for as little as a few euro I can buy some really good quality stuff, most of which is usually not available in Malta.

For purists and chocolate aficionados and also those who would not know single estate from a Ferrero Rocher but still adore the taste and texture of beautifully good chocolate, this box of French Truffles is absolutely amazing.  They use single estate chocolate with cocoa from Trinario, have no excessive sugars (which can kill subtlety) flavours or vegetable oils. In fact, they only use Bourbon vanilla and cane sugar and come with an extraordinary length of taste. Gorgeous; I find that with chocolate like this it is not possible to eat the entire box because one truffle suffices. Promise!

The Chocolate Trading Co also does a great range of gluten and wheat free chocolates. For those not aware of how gluten (and wheat) slithers into everything these days, mostly as a bulking agent, this fantastic range from Michel Cluizel is prepared in a completely gluten-free environment. These adorable Les Capuccinos would be fantastic post-dinner.

 

If you would much rather curl up with a thick and unctuous hot chocolate on one of these chilly nights, then head for an Amedei Hot Chocolate: flaked hot chocolate from 63% cocoa added to ground hazelnuts and almonds, no preservatives or artificial flavourings as expected from one of the finest chocolate-producing companies in the world.

 

 

For those who love to experiment, maybe, why not, even by having a go at ‘making’ their own chocolate, I have found the Chocolatiere melting pot at just £19.95: it melts chocolate, keeps it melted with its very handy setting (no burning) and even comes with utensils for dipping fruits like strawberries as well as fun moulds for creating ‘personal’ chocolates.