La Maison du Chocolat Grand Cru Collection

The very helpful Alexandra contacted me asking if I’d be interested in previewing the new Grand Cru Collection from La Maison du Chocolat which are due to be released online and in their Piccadily store, as well as Harrods from 20th September this year. I feel privileged to have one of the first UK tastes of this luxury chocolate gift.

I’ve been aware of La Maison du Chocolat for a while but never managed to get around to reviewing any of their creations, but that is entirely my loss. Now I’ve tasted their Grand Cru Collection I’m sure that I’ll be buying a regular supply of their fine chocolates.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the box containing the chocolates and then unwrapped them was the absolutely fantastic presentation box. Hotel Chocolat do some imaginative packaging, but I’ve never seen anything of this quality for a while. I hoped the picture above would capture the texture of the box which had a luxurious feel which was topped by a very elegant bow (if that ones doesn’t then look at the one below). Anyone receiving these chocolates not only know that the contents will be some of the finest ganaches they would have tasted, but also that you’ve spent a fair amount on their pleasure. If you’re buying for a loved one, there aren’t many chocolate gifts in the £10 to £20 price range that would give both such a fantastic feel of quality in both the packaging and the chocolates themselves.

When you’ve untied the bow and removed the top packaging you’ll be met with a wonderful mozaic of chocolate ganaches which number 12 in total. To my mind these are 12 pieces of heaven inclined to induce momentary lapses of concentration as you succumb to their wonderful texture and flavour.

I’ve recently reviewed chocolate that’s at the lower price level and its chocolate like the Grand Cru Collection that makes me glad that I spend my days reviewing chocolate. The texture reminds me of Turkish delight as they’re incredibly smooth – enjoying a bite of luxury chocolate has never been easier, and probably never as rewarding. The wonderfully distinct flavour lingers on your taste buds for minutes after its melted in your mouth. Pure heaven.

I do have one concern, however. The issue I have is that the nutritional information suggests that a “serving” is 6 peices, i.e. half its contents. This suggests that you’re either going to share them with another or have the ability to stop half-way through. To my mind this is a physical impossibility. The only way I’m able to resist finishing them off is that my friends read my reviews and I get nagged if I don’t leave any of the chocolates I love. So for their benefit (two of them are pregnant and liable to scold) I will be saving the remaining 8 pieces. I’m sure they’ll enjoy them.

The information I have state that there are the two types of ganache: Quito (created by Robert Linx in 1979) and Itzamna which was created by the current Creative Director Gilles Marchal to honour the son of the Aztec God of Creation. We should thank the Aztecs for being the first race of peoples to make chocolate from cocoa beans.

I was trying to come up with when these Grand Cru will be most enjoyable. To my mnd, they’d be absolutely fantastic to keep locked away for those times when you get home from work with aching feet and a stressed out feel. I can guarantee you that only moments after diving for them will all your aches, pains and worries evaporate.

They’re not on sale yet. You’ll have to wait until 20th September. But you can either pop down to their Picadilly store, Harrods or buy online.

I suppose I better rate the La Maison du Chocolat Grand Cru Collection:

Taste: 90% – divinely luxurious likely to satisfy your every chocolate need

Texture: 90% – soft, smooth, delightful

Appearance: 95% – it would be very difficult to improve either the outer packaging or the ganaches themselves. “Beautiful” is such an apt word.

Nutritional Information 75% – its all there, but difficult to read, but who cares?

Price: 80% – worth every penny and more

Overall: 86% – buy, buy, buy (from 20th September)