In today's marketplace, where there is a huge choice of foods and sweets, quality chocolate from family-run chocolatiers seems to be a real treasure for those looking not only for delicious taste, but also for authenticity and story. Unlike mass-produced chocolate, which often contains a higher proportion of sugar and less cocoa, the best quality chocolate emphasises the richness of flavour and depth of cocoa aroma. This difference is not only due to the ingredients used, but also to the careful and often handmade processing that ensures the uniqueness of each piece.
What makes chocolate from family-run chocolatiers special?
The key to uniqueness is above all handmade and limited editions, making each product unique. Family chocolatiers pay great attention to the selection of raw materials, often working directly with cocoa farmers, allowing them to source the best possible ingredients. The story behind each piece adds another dimension to the chocolate and brings consumers closer to the process of its creation.
Tradition of Czech chocolate production
During the First Republic, Czechoslovakia was the 3rd largest processor of cocoa beans in the world. It is this period and tradition that Czech artisanal chocolatiers are trying to build on. The production process starts with purchasing cocoa beans directly from growers or small cooperatives. These beans are then hand-picked to ensure that only the best chocolate is made. After a thorough inspection, the beans are roasted, dehulled and ground.
How is chocolate made?
After grinding, it is a good idea to let the chocolate rest for a few weeks. This is followed by the tempering process, which involves heating, cooling and re-heating, which helps to unify the crystalline structure of the chocolate butter and gives the chocolate a smooth surface, the right amount of refraction (it crunches nicely) and also durability. The chocolate is then filled into moulds, cooled and finally hand-wrapped.
In large-scale production, cocoa mass is often taken as a finished semi-finished product. Each chocolate should always taste the same and be cheap! Cocoa butter, the most valuable ingredient, is replaced by solidified vegetable fat - mainly palm fat. In a few hours, cocoa powder, a minimal amount of cocoa butter, vegetable fat, sugar and emulsifier are mixed together and a uniform chocolate is created.
Why buy quality chocolate from us?
- We can deliver chocolate that is in stock as soon as the next day after ordering!
- Stone shops in Prague and pick-up points all over the Czech Republic.
- We have a wide range of coffee and tea products as well as our own selection of coffee.
- Need advice? Our customer support is here for you.