Reviewed by
Evelyn
Calling all chocoholics – this one’s especially for you guys! Hugo’s Chocolate Club is a monthly subscription box which celebrates British artisan chocolates. The chocolates included in the box have all been expertly researched and tasted by Hugo’s so that subscribers are treated to an exquisite selection each and every time.
Every month, you’ll receive four different bars of chocolates from four different artisan chocolatiers and postage is free in the UK. There’s also an option to add a free personalised message card for gift subscriptions, and with Christmas rapidly approaching, I can imagine this being a popular choice!
Hugo’s Chocolate Club kindly sent me last month’s box to try out which arrived via Royal Mail. It came presented in a sleek white box, complete with an info leaflet detailing the history of the chocolates inside, so let’s take a closer look at the treats.
Duffy’s Milk Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs & Oak Smoked Salt
Duffy’s is a small-scale producer of high-quality chocolate and was founded by Duffy himself after he visited Guatemala back in 2008. The cocoa beans that Duffy’s uses mainly originate Central and South America, and he sources them directly from the farmers, paying above the Fairtrade price. This award-winning bar of Milk Chocolate (Corazon del Ecador) is half-moulded and then sprinkled with Oak Smoked salt and Cocoa Nibs before the moulding is completed. This gives the chocolate a crunchy texture with a delicious undertone of Salted Caramel – it’s a must-try!
Kneals Luxury Handmade Chocolate Raspberry Delight
Kneals is a Birmingham based chocolate producer and a partnership which was formed between a husband and wife team back in 2011. Their passion for chocolate was enhanced after taking many classes at the Chocolate Academy. They mainly sell their produce at local farmers’ markets within the Birmingham area, and use locally sourced ingredients with no added sugar or sweeteners to allow the chocolate to speak for themselves. This Raspberry Delight chocolate bar is very much a delight – it’s rich Dark Chocolate filled with a chocolate and Raspberry Ganache, it’s very yummy and moreish.
Coco Chocolatier Honey Milk Chocolate
Established in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2004, Coco Chocolatiers have an uncompromising attention to detail in all aspects of their products. This is clearly demonstrated in their complete traceability throughout the chocolate production line of their products, from the cocoa beans sourced from Columbia to their journey to Scotland where the chocolates are then produced. The company also works with local and international artists to create their vibrant and unique packaging which I certainly admired when I picked up this bar from the box. Their Honey Milk Chocolate blends the sweetness of real honey with creamy Milk Chocolate for a decadent flavour combination – it didn’t last long in my house!
The Chocolate Cottage Loweswater Lemon Meringue Pie and Easedale Eton Mess
The last product comes from The Chocolate Cottage who are located in Grasmere, a small village in the beautiful Lake District. The couple behind the company, Angela and Richard, use locally sourced ingredients such as Lakeland Cream, and these two flavours in this special pack are brilliant examples of their work. Both have smooth and creamy White Chocolate bases, and fruity/tangy fillings to represent their named after desserts.
By Mary 
