Bring in the kids for some special free treats this Halloween.
We are launching a new line of fun chocolates for kids this month. Until Oct 31st, come down to The Cocoa Room (in costume or not), and each child will receive a free sample bag of PokeyPines (a milk chocolate and puffed rice confection).
Please click here to see the October 2008 newsletter!
We were reviewed as a “upcoming chocolate shop” in the lastest issue of City Spice magazine, a Travel Alberta publication. Read the article here.
We have recently brought some new products into the store for you chocolate connoisseurs.
Coppeneur is a German chocolate maker, and we decided to carry their chocolate, because we find their quality to be excellent. Their organic single plantation bars are truly delicious. Also check out the Coppeneur filled bars in flavours such as Walnut & Cognac or Chili & Highland Whisky.
Because so many of you told us that you liked the Claudio Corallo line of chocolates, we stocked up once more. The popular crystallized ginger bars are back, and we have also added a delicious 70% dark chocolate with cocoa nibs. My personal favourite, the 80% with crystallized sugar, is back too.
We continue to carry the Pralus “Les tropiques du chocolat” line, which features single origin 75% chocolates from all over the world. This time we are testing out the mild and slightly “hazelnutish” Venezuela and the earthy Sao Tome & Principe, which has a slight hint of mushroom. And for the first time we have brought in the Pralus Fortssima with an 80% cocoa content.
Also new are Domori’s Carenero Superior, a very smooth 70% chocolate from the Barlovento region in Venezuela and a 70% super-fruity Madagascar (definitely on my top 3 list now). Finally, for those of you who have been eagerly waiting its arrival, the Domori Porcelana is back.
Nina
At the party last night we distributed a quiz, and many people asked for the correct answers, so here they are: (by the way, we had 3 winners, all who scored a very impressive 4 out of 5!)
Please read it! It contains some news and a picture of some great truffles.
After a month away from the Cocoa Room and with a trip to Europe under my belt, I’m ready to begin a new season of chocolate making. I think that our trip to Hamburg didn’t inspire me as much as it confirmed that the Cocoa Room is on the right track. It seemed that the trend in chocolate culture there strongly favored high-cocoa content, single origin bars or bars that were “seasoned” with herbs or spices. I visited a great shop called “Chocolate World” in Hamburg and picked up lots of interesting chocolate. My favorite bar was a Mace bar by a Belgian company called Zabaar. I thought it was perfectly spiced and super fresh because it was vacuum sealed. I didn’t visit any chocolatiers in Hamburg-I don’t think Hamburg is a hot bed for that sort of thing. I had some pretty awesome wheat beers, though.
After a summer shutdown, our web sales are open again. Thanks for your patience! We will be revamping the on-line catalog soon, and we will keep you posted.
An article about Claudio Corallo chocolate appeared in the July 17th issue of Maclean’s magazine, and Kerstin was quoted! Click the image below to read the article.
We were listed as one of Edmonton’s hot new stores in Wish Magazine’s Cross Canada Shopping Guide. Check out the write up.
Making some chocolate dipped strawberries is actually easier than it looks! here are a few tips: Read the rest of this entry »
Father’s Day is coming up this Sunday, and The Cocoa Room is rolling out some new items for Dad. The first is a special filled chocolate: The Bourbon Cigar. It is a dark chocolate cigar made of our 65% Venezuelan chocolate filled with a special ganache: dark chocolate and Bourbon. A wonderful treat that will put a smile on Dad’s face. Click on the photo to see a larger image.
We have created a new filled chocolate in the shape of a red and gold cocoa pod. It is filled with a spicy lime and chili ganache, a new, wonderful combination that we are all now in love with.
Finally, if Dad likes milk chocolate, may we suggest a novel type of chocolate: milk chocolate sardines! These gourmet milk chocolates are shaped like sardines, and will appeal to Dad, whether he is a fisherman or not. Michel Cluizel, one of France’s greatest chocolate makers, makes these whimsical treats.
Come visit The Cocoa Room this week and see all of these Father’s Day gifts and more!
Would you like to see fresh ice cream in our store? We are thinking about making some, if there is enough interest. If you are a fan of handmade ice cream, please leave a comment!
One of Alberta’s premier gift shops now carries our Chocophila Bars.
Two of their locations now have our products:
Whyte Ave. Location:
The Tin Box
10512 Whyte Ave
Edmonton AB T6E 2A4
(780) 436-2006
Canmore Location:
The Tin Box
837 Main Street
Canmore AB
(403) 678-9666
For more info, please see: http://www.thetinbox.ca/
Kerstin was interviewed by Nick Tooke on the first episode of his new food series on CityTV called “Nick’s Nosh”.
(To open the video in a separate window, click here.
We got some T-shirts made up, and they look great. There are 4 color variations (red, green, blue and yellow) of the Chocophilia Logo, and men’s and women’s sizes. There are also versions for infants and toddlers! We have tote bags too!
Here are some pictures, and we will add more soon.
In our first chocolate making class May 15th, students made passion fruit truffles, mocha truffles, fruit and nut mediants, and chocolate bark. Everybody had a lot of fun. At the end of class everybody was able to temper chocolate!
Table Tempering
Having fun with Truffles
The Mother’s Day special bouquets were a great hit. We decided to continue making them available for the next few months. We have our list of potential flavors, but we want to know what flavors of chocolate bark you like. Please tell us your favorites by leaving comments! Who knows? Perhaps one of your flavors will be the next one we make!
Our bars are now on sale at the brand new Sobeys market on Jasper Ave and 104th St in downtown Edmonton.
On May 5th, Jake and Curtis brought a chocolate sculpture that they designed and built at Kerstin’s Chocolates to the 4th annual Books2Eat Gala Event.
The event brought together chef’s and librarians to help raise money for the construction of the new Lois Hole library in west Edmonton.
Our entry into the “Edible Books” event was a chocolate sculpture inspired by the works of Dr. Seuss. There was a white chocolate hat for the Cat in the Hat, chocolate green eggs and ham, and a chocolate Lorax, and a chocolate fish. They used modeling chocolate and cocoa butter spray painting to create a very artistic sculpture.
All the Edible Books were auctioned off at the event, and this sculpture sold for the greatest amount. We are very happy that we were able to support the Edmonton Public Libraries, and we hope the owner of this sculpture enjoys it!
You asked “What am I going to give mom on Mother’s Day? (It is coming up soon: Sunday, May 11th!)”
Here is the answer! Our new chocolate bouquet: it can be shipped anywhere in Canada. To order it now, click here.
Tickets are now on sale for our first chocolate making class!
Click here to find out more and purchase your tickets.
Jan Hostyn of Vue Weekly Magazine wrote about our store. She said:
As I nibbled my way through the shop, I was especially impressed with their chocolate caviar and the rich sipping chocolate — almost like warm, dark, intense, liquid chocolate.
and
Venture off the beaten path and seek out The Cocoa Room. Immerse yourself in the whole delicious chocolate experience, and watch Roos’ eyes light up with enthusiasm as she helps you find your passion. But be warned: once you’ve had the good stuff, there’s no going back.
Local Copy of Article
From April 3rd to April 6th, Kerstin will be at the “Everything Chocolate” pavillion at the Edmonton Home and Garden Show. We will have a booth where we will sell chocolate (booth CH5) near the stage! Come visit us, and try some of our new flavors of chocolate.
We have joined Keep Edmonton Original, a consortium of locally owned businesses. Help support the local economy, and buy local!
