by Elizabeth on March 11, 2013
Searching for the perfect Easter basket contents? Every year, CMB carefully selects chocolates and candies that we think will make your Easter basket sing with sweetness! Here are some of our favorite Chocolate Easter Eggs of 2013…we like to think this list is Easter Bunny-approved!
A Hazelnut Truffle-Filled Egg From Germany
From Germany, we are bringing back the popular Gut Springenheide Chocolate Eggs ($4.50 each, 3 for $12, or buy on-line at our website 6 for $29) in bright solids, pastels, bold stripes, and retro polka dots. Since they were such a hit last year, we learned even more about the process to make a chocolate truffle encased in a real egg shell. The family behind Gut Springenheide makes many egg-based products like creme brulee and realized they could do something with the remaining shells: the eggs are emptied and the shells are sterilized (to meet FDA and USDA standards), then they are filled with a liquid blend of milk, dark and hazelnut chocolate to create a delicious truffle! After they are set, the shells are then decorated in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns that make them irresistible! We also learned the easiest way to get to the truffle inside: chill for 15 minutes, then crack open. These are truly entertaining and delicious chocolate eggs for children of all ages to enjoy on Easter morning. [click to continue…]
by andy on February 18, 2013
Our store is filled with chocolate bars, and each has its own personality. Gone are the days of the Hershey bar being the be-all and end-all for chocolate bars. Nowadays, each chocolate bar has a story to tell, an experience to share, and the quality of the bars rival the product you find in the chocolate boutiques on Madison Avenue. The origins of the cacao beans, additional raw ingredients, the company’s history, and the packaging all contribute to the experience of the chocolate bar. And each bar is as unique and appealing like people’s personalities, which led us to the idea of pairing some of our most notable bars and the person who typifies that bar.
Prestat Dark Chocolate with Raspberry Bar (2.65 oz $5)
This bar comes from a company with a storied past – literally as Roald Dahl was inspired as child by Prestat Truffles, and later wrote Will Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. The Prestat Dark Chocolate Raspberry bar reminds me of Queen Elizabeth, with her stiff upper lip but also shows her fun-loving side ( Who can forget the fun video segment from the London Olympics of HM parachuting into the Olympic stadium) this bar has something for everyone. Buy Prestat Dark Chocolate with Raspberry online at CMB.
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by Elizabeth on February 8, 2013
February is Chocolate Month at CMB, which is why we’re hosting chocolate-centric events, sampling a different chocolate every day in the store, and celebrating Valentine’s Day with the best chocolate gifts! Personally, every month is Chocolate Month in my world- the majority of the recipes I bake involve cocoa powder/chocolate chips/baking chocolate- so I was looking for something extra special for our February recipe post when inspiration struck two ways!
At the end of last month, we had a visit from Sophie, the executive chef/chocolate maker of the Grown Up Chocolate Company, to the store and the Fancy Food Show. During our staff meeting, she shared about the process of taking an existing candy bar, preferably a childhood favorite, and updating it for an adult palate; the challenge is to keep the flavor profile the same while elevating the ingredients (increasing the couverture, removing the chemical stabilizers, etc). I like the Glorious Coconut Hocus Pocus which is similar to a Mounds Bar, but might eat it with a handful of almonds since my favorite candy bar is an Almond Joy (inspiration #1).
Around the same time, Vincent, the owner of Dang Fine Foods, who we met at last summer’s Fancy Food Show, emailed that his brothers would be in town and would like to come demo their toasted coconut chips. People love DANG! Coconut Chips ($5.95, 90g) because of the texture, light sweetness, healthy snacking option, and versatility in baking. We scheduled a demo, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate the coconut chips in the recipe for February (inspiration #2). [click to continue…]
by andy on February 1, 2013
Pair Off, a Valentine’s Day tasting event for Lovers of Beer, Chocolate and Cheese
Chelsea Market Baskets is hosting a private tasting of craft beer, cheese, and chocolate on February 7, 2013 with Union Beer and S.K.I. Beer from 5pm- 7pm in the store.
Well-known for a carefully curated assortment of chocolate and cheese, Chelsea Market Baskets has recently begun to carry craft beer of the same high standard. Pair Off will feature ten beers poured in tandem with five cheeses and five chocolates.
The pairings will be created, explained and discussed by Union Beer’s Andrew Jorge, S.K.I. Beer’s Seth Giurato and Chelsea Market Baskets Owner David Porat.
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by David on January 29, 2013
I just got back from SF were it was sunny and I enjoyed sharing my family (my twin brother and sister live in the east bay with 3 nephews so I was also “Uncle” a bit) with two people whom had never been there before, Alberto and Ana, who worked in our booth at the show. The fancy Food shows are always very busy, but I did get a chance to be a tourist, on Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market located around the Ferry Building. It was great to see and taste all the fresh California fruits and vegetables especially the winter citrus.
Alberto (CMB Store Manager) and I stopped to talk to June Taylor (June Taylor Jams) about her products, which have done very well in our store and we are reordering. While she makes everything by hand, she told me the real secret was starting with good produce. A few booths away there was farmer Torrie who supplies some fruit to June, and he shared some great varietal citrus to taste. When I told that I should not eat grapefruits or pummelos because of taking Lipitor, he told me the secret to a long life is eating good food and … well I cannot really say what else he said, but he and his wife seem pretty happy and healthy! Overall, it was great a California experience.
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From Germany, we are bringing back the popular Gut Springenheide Chocolate Eggs ($4.50 each, 3 for $12, or buy on-line at our website 6 for $29) in bright solids, pastels, bold stripes, and retro polka dots. Since they were such a hit last year, we learned even more about the process to make a chocolate truffle encased in a real egg shell. The family behind Gut Springenheide makes many egg-based products like creme brulee and realized they could do something with the remaining shells: the eggs are emptied and the shells are sterilized (to meet FDA and USDA standards), then they are filled with a liquid blend of milk, dark and hazelnut chocolate to create a delicious truffle! After they are set, the shells are then decorated in a variety of vibrant colors and patterns that make them irresistible! We also learned the easiest way to get to the truffle inside: chill for 15 minutes, then crack open. These are truly entertaining and delicious chocolate eggs for children of all ages to enjoy on Easter morning. [click to continue…]
