CHOCOLATE Tips, Recipe and Guide

Whatever the occasion you are celebrating, traditional gift ideas, such as champagne, flowers and chocolate are always warmly received. Chocolate gifts are particularly special and versatile. There is something for everyone, whatever the age or the milestone, from birthdays, anniversaries, valentines, Christmas and Easter to dinner parties, house warmings and thank you gifts of all kinds. A wide range of chocolate gift ideas can be found, from exquisite milk and dark chocolates from the continent to exotic flavours from around the world, luxury, organic, fair trade, wheat and gluten free, dairy free, chocolate truffles and novelty chocolates including chocolate cats, dogs, footballs, cars, coins and hearts.

The origins of chocolate can be traced back to Mayan and Aztec civilisations in Central America. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian era, when a technique for making solid eating chocolate was devised. The history of chocolate begins with cocoa trees. They grow in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America and cocoa beans were used for hundreds of years by the Aztecs as an ingredient for their chocolate drink and as currency.

If you are looking for an inspirational gift idea, many chocolate companies offer customers an inspired range of festive gifts and classic children's gifts with a selection of box designs or gift wrapping, personalised greeting cards, and opportunities to create your own chocolate message. There are more chocolates to choose from and they are attractively decorated and presented in a variety of gift boxes in all shapes and sizes, big enough for box sharing, satin or luxury ribboned boxes, heart shaped boxes and specialities that have that little extra, including fruit jellies, brazils, toffee and soaked nuts or a selection of orange, lime, vanilla and raspberry truffles.


By Anurag Ahluwalia


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