Nothing feels seamless in 2020, we had a mild Summer in February, Spring barely happened, and here we are now in the third week of Autumn patiently waiting for temperatures to chill, hoping to start enjoying our chocolate firm and solid, and drinking it hot. 

It took me years to understand the whole fuss about chocolate, probably because way back we were only exposed to cheap, artificial, low quality chocolate found in most of our local stores and supermarkets - mass produced, blended with emulsifiers and raising agents (eg. Diphosphates, known to mess up with the metabolic system) or synthetic chemicals (e.g Paraffin Wax) for a glazed finish. Until in my quest for healthy snacks, I discovered cacao, the raw bean that has not been roasted, has been minimally processed and is free from additives.

Cacao is an excellent source of minerals such as manganese, selenium, chromium and magnesium. The darker the chocolate the richer it is in minerals, unless it has been mixed with artificial colour, thus the importance of reading the labels and choosing organic. Cacao is also rich in antioxidant properties, yet this may vary according to the bean variety, the processing method and the climate conditions. The less cacao is cooked and the less heat applied, the richer it is in antioxidants. 

We can all agree that chocolate has super powers on our brain. That same chocolate bar can either provide a sharp, stimulating boost or an immense sense of comfort. It can keep you well nourished for a while, or can make you come back for more. Always remember that chocolate can be high in calories, stick to a 30g serving which provides approximately 170 calories, 12g carbohydrates and 2g of protein.

Check out our new gift boxes here, ideal as a gift when visiting friends this season, which include a wide range of chocolate, spreads and hot chocolate. Watch out our chocolate section, as we are eagerly awaiting new products from Green & Black’s, Zotter and Cafe Direct. We are also finalising our boxes for the festive season, this year based on the concept of sustainability with a wide range of ethically-sourced, Fairtrade products. For more info get in touch on [email protected].

On a final note, as a special throughout the month of October, we have reduced the minimum order fee to qualify for free delivery to €19.90, while the delivery fee for smaller orders is now €3. And don't forget, Pink October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so we encourage you to test and to be generous towards the cause.