by Divinity | Blog News, Chocolate Gifts, Romantic Gifts, Romantic Gifts for Couples |
- by MonSun Chan | TheChocolateDate.com ©2012
Finding the perfect gift for your special someone can be challenging especially if they have everything. You can do the usual dinner and drinks, but sometimes you just want to make it extra special, creative and unique. Something your sweetie will enjoy and guarantee a smile on his/her face.
Well look no more. How about making it personal with novelty chocolates that fit in their favorite hobby or interest? Novelty chocolates are molded into different shapes to fit various themes like hearts for Valentine’s Day, pumpkins for Halloween and Santa Clause for Christmas.
Here are some ideas:
Image: Tender Lover Chocolates - Golf Shoes and Balls
Sports – whether as an active participant or spectator give the gift of chocolate in their sport of interest. If your sweetie loves golf you can gift them chocolate golf balls, golf clubs, golf shoes and golf tees in the choice of white, milk and chocolate. There’s hockey, volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis and even fishing.
Games – so what kind of games is your sweetie into? You can find a variety of fun stuff that is not only playable, but edible too. To name a few there is Tetris, chess, checkers and poker (casino chips and playing cards).
Image: Gayles Chocolates Shoes visit www.gayleschocolates.com
Interests – is your sweetie into shoes? Handbags? Chocolate high heel shoes and handbags are all the rage. Each shoe is beautifully designed and decked out with all the bling. A piece of art that is too pretty to eat. This makes the perfect gift for a shoe lover.
Cigars – even a smoker can enjoy a chocolate fix with a chocolate cigar. Long tubes of chocolate wrapped and packaged like the real thing but of course much sweeter and richer. Many chocolatiers offers a variety of flavors and fillings. These would go well with a glass of whiskey, cognac or brandy.
These are just to name a few as there much more and you will find something that will fit your sweetie’s interests and passions. Just search online or visit your local chocolatier for their creations.
Here are couple of sites you can visit and see if they can help you with the perfect gift:
- Chocolate Trading Company
- http://www.chocolatetradingco.com/chocolates/novelty-chocolates
- Chocolate Fantasies
- http://chocolatefantasies.com
- Salty and Sweet Chocolate Favor World
- http://www.chocolatefavorworld.com
- Gayles chocolates
- http://www.gayleschocolates.com
Novelty chocolates makes great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, but also for those ‘just because’ moments too. For example, chocolate gold medal or gold star is a great way to tell your sweetie they are 1st place in your heart. We all love to be reminded how wonderful and greatly appreciated we are.
Action step: find out what your sweetie is into and search online for novelty chocolates that fit.
Come over to Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TheChocolateDate) or post your comments below. Love to hear feedback from you so I know how to better serve you.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
All rights reserved ©2012 The Chocolate Date. Mon Sun C. created “The Chocolate Date”. It’s all about things to do on a date using chocolate where you can get turned on and excited again and again. Intrigued? Visit http://TheChocolateDate.com to download your complimentary eBook “10 Yummy Date Ideas for Chocolate Lovers” to get started on yummy gooey love.
by Divinity | Blog News, Chocolate Gifts |
- by Mon Sun Chan | TheChocolateDate.com ©2012
Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Looking for something new to excite you and your Chocolate Date’s tastebuds?
Plus I have a tip that will help save you time. Wanna know what it is? Keeping reading.
Everyday creative and inventive chocolatiers are coming up with new concoctions and flavors to make your mouth water. They do such a great job that you just want to sink your teeth into and devour them all. Plus it’s eye candy for the eyes! Can you relate?
Well, here’s fun idea to help you save time shopping so you can share these moments of pleasures with your Chocolate Date savoring these delicious treats. What is it? Chocolate Tasting clubs!
Normally each month, chocolatiers will send a box of their chocolates to your front door step. Depending on the chocolatier, the chocolates they send may be the newest flavor of the month they want you to try before it is officially released to the general public. Or, it may be something special from their signature collections. It’s like being the VIP where you get first dibs before everyone else does.
Here are some benefits you can find that chocolatiers MAY offer:
- chocolate sent to your home monthly. These may include bars, truffles and signature pieces
- free samples or other related yummy treats along with your order
- discounts on future purchases
- invites to members only special events
- exclusive monthly offers
- free shipping
note: membership structures will vary between clubs so be sure to read the details of what it entails.
To save time:
- set it up to have the chocolates delivered to your Chocolate Date’s home to save you the trip and the expenses of gas and parking. Plus you can surprise your sweetie each month with yummy decadent treats.
- use this opportunity to plan in advance for future birthdays, celebrations, anniversaries and ‘just because’ occasions.
Where to find these chocolate clubs? Check out your favorite local chocolatier in your area or search online using keywords such as: Chocolate tasting clubs, chocolate membership, chocolate of the month, and chocolate club.
Well-known brands that offer clubs include:
- Godiva’s Chocolate Rewards Club
- Hotel Chocolat’s Chocolate Tasting Club
- Vosges Chocolate’s Chocolate of the Month Club
- Roger’s Tasting Club
This is a great way to check out new chocolates with your Chocolate Date without leaving the comforts of your home and so easy to set it up months to a year in advance. Surprise your sweetie with these delightful treats and reaps the benefits of being a member that your taste buds will love your for.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
All rights reserved ©2012 The Chocolate Date. Mon Sun C. created “The Chocolate Date”. It’s all about things to do on a date using chocolate where you can get turned on and excited again and again. Intrigued? Visit http://TheChocolateDate.com to download your complimentary eBook “10 Yummy Date Ideas for Chocolate Lovers” to get started on yummy gooey love.
by Divinity | Chocolate Gifts, Chocolate Recipes, What's New? |
So many kinds of chocolate…
What are the differences? Which one will suit my partner’s preference and personality? How can I know what to pick that matches their dietary needs without blowing a perfect date experience?
© Jinyoung Lee | Dreamstime.com
If you or your Chocolate Date have dietary challenges with chocolate, you can find a wide assortment made to fit your needs. Treat yourself to sugar free, organic or kosher chocolates found in local stores (special diet aisle), organic specialty stores (where they carry fair trade chocolates) and local Chocolatiers (also available online for purchase).
“There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.” – Anonymous
Let’s begin!
Chocolate Liquor or Cocoa Paste
The name ‘liquor’ can be deceiving, however there is no alcohol in ‘chocolate liquor’. This pure liquid form of chocolate is ground directly from the center of the cocoa bean, or the nib, and contains cocoa butter, a pale yellow edible natural fat, and cocoa solids, the nonfat component.
Cocoa Butter
Is the creamy, buttery, pale, yellow vegetable fat extracted from the chocolate liquor.
Cocoa Powder
Is the nonfat cocoa solids in the chocolate liquor once they are separated from the cocoa butter. This popular powdered form of unsweetened chocolate is usually used in hot chocolate and as an ingredient in low fat desserts like brownies and cookies.
Variety of Dark Chocolates:
© Margaryta Vakhterova | Dreamstime.co
Unsweetened Chocolate
Solidified chocolate liquor with the highest cocoa content, also known as bitter or baking chocolate, is the base component that gives chocolate the deep flavor and dark brown color. With its bitter taste, it is best used in cooking and baking.
Bitter-sweet Chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate or chocolate liquor made from approximately 1/3 sugar and vanilla (used for flavoring). It contains anywhere from 35% – 80% chocolate liquor with a minimum of 32% cocoa solids. You will find this chocolate more bitter than semi-sweet as it has a higher content of chocolate liquor and less sugar.
Semi-sweet Chocolate
Normally found in chocolate chips or in baking squares for desserts, semisweet chocolate is a combination of unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter and flavorings. It has a minimum of 35% chocolate liquor and is sweeter than bittersweet chocolate, but darker than sweet dark chocolate.
Dark Chocolate
Also known as ‘sweet dark chocolate’ contains chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla and an emulsifier. There are no milk solids in dark chocolate. With higher amounts of sugar and cocoa solids ranging from 30% to 80%, it is sweeter than other dark chocolates and is normally used for everyday consumption.
Chocolate with Milk products:
Milk Chocolates
Sweeter and creamier tasting than all the dark chocolates as it contains milk products (dry milk solids or condensed milk), higher sugar content, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor and flavorings (usually vanilla).
White Chocolate
The common debate as to whether or not white chocolate is considered chocolate is due to the cocoa butter content. White chocolate lacks the cocoa liquor and solids that give it the familiar flavor and brown color. This creamy treat contains extra milk products and some brands have a vanilla taste.
Health Alternatives:
Carob
Often used as a low-calorie health alternative to chocolate and containing similar nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, this dark brown powder is made from the mashed fruit of a Mediterranean pine tree. It is often used for those with allergies to chocolate and can be found in solid form (chips) or powder at organic specialty stores.
