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Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Dipping Adventure

Hotel Chocolat Dipping Adventure

Chocolate is, as always, a good choice for a Valentine’s Day gift. Heck – it’s pretty much the standard alongside roses or flowers. As things become “standard,” they can get a bit dull and chocolate is no exception; even with the huge variety of chocolate truffles, chocolate bars and assorted chocolate boxes to choose from, it all starts to look the same after a while. Fortunately, there are some chocolatiers who are trying to put a new spin on the classic “box of chocolates” and make things a little more interesting. Case in point, the Chocolate Dipping Adventure from Hotel Chocolat.

The Chocolate Dipping Adventure is basically a really easy to use fondue box. It comes with three very large tubs of solid dark (72%), milk (40%) and white chocolates, and a variety of dippers. The chocolate tubs can be slowly melted in hot water before dipping, then set back in the serving box where the included dippers – sweet (dried cherries and marshmallows) and savory (crostini, grissini and sesame crackers) – are easily accessible.

That said, I expanded upon the given options a bit. I kept my chocolate soft by setting the cups in warm water on a heated tray, which made them dipable for over an hour. I also cut up some fresh fruit – berries, banana and pineapple – and a bit of cake for dipping. The savory crackers worked surprisingly well with the chocolate and were somewhat palate cleansing, which meant that I could eat more chocolate without feeling weighed down. Overall, it was fun and tasty, not to mention a lovely alternative to a “real” fondue set as a gift for someone who probably won’t use it more than once.

Oh - I should also mention that bamboo mini chopsticks are included if you don’t want to get your fingers dirty but… I feel like there is no harm in getting a little messy with chocolate around Valentine’s Day, right?

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3 Comments
  • emma
    February 5, 2008

    Bread and chocolate make a surprisingly great combination. What a good idea (the fondue kit) to steal as a homade gift! Very cool. Thanks!

  • cybele
    February 6, 2008

    Yowza, $45! How were the marshmallows … they look kinda like Kraft or something.

  • Nicole
    February 7, 2008

    The marshmallows weren’t as good as homemade, to be sure, but mine were fresh and I have no complaints. They might be Kraft (or Kraft-like), but since I have a soft spot for them, it was still fine by me.

    And for the record, I think that all chocolate fondues should come with marshmallows. And possibly graham crackers (which I will be putting out when we eat the leftover chocolate)

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