Koko Black — Gastrology

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Gastrology bloggers went on the Bittersweet Chocolate Delights tour courtesy of Chocoholic Tours.

Chocoholic Tours and its team of Chocolate Experts have been exploring the laneways and arcades of the Melbourne CBD for the past 20 years, discovering the best places to indulge that chocolate craving in the city’s many laneways and boutique arcades.

The boutique Chocoholic Tours run daily tours, seven days a week, stopping at up to six chocolate cafes for tastings and samples of their sweet wares.

On these tailored and themed quirky intimate tours around Melbourne’s hidden laneways and arcades- chocoholics can meet the makers behind the chocolate havens of Melbourne, take advantage of Chocoholic Tours’ special offers and discover flavours and styles of chocolate they never even knew existed – and of course indulge in tasting Melbourne’s best chocolate product on offer.

Gastrology recently went along on the Bittersweet Chocolate Delights tour which caters for those who crave the bittersweet cacao bean bite…

First stop: Cacao Lab

Cacao Lab is passionate about making fine crafted chocolates, macarons, éclairs and pastries.

Led by acclaimed pastry chefs Laurent Meric and Tim Clark the café boasts an exquisite and extravagant sweet creations are hand crafted in our Melbourne kitchen by skilfully balancing flavours and textures into fine works of art.

We enjoyed the chocolates we sampled and in particular the decadent dark chocolate chilli hot chocolate.

Second stop: Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar NYC

Alison Nelson's first Australian store offers cacao goodness in a modern vintage setting with a touch of NYC style. Chocolate truffles, signature cakes, brownies and bonbons are complemented by a theatrical view of chocolate making in the bar area.

We enjoyed sampling their red velvet brownie which is a lighter fluffier take on the traditional.

Third stop: Koko Black

Koko Black is one of our favourite chocolate haunts in Melbourne. We were pleased to visit the store where it all started in Royal Arcade.

Since their first Koko Black salon opened in December 2003 it has turned into a local Melbourne enterprise proudly employing over 350 people.

Fourth stop: Haighs Chocolate

Haighs store is an inviting place where you’ll find that chocolate tasting, gift wrapping and personalised attention is all part of the service.

We enjoyed a selection of their milk pastilles, dark chocolate pastilles and artisan chocolate.

Fifth stop: Gânache Chocolate Lounge

Our final stop was Gânache Chocolate Lounge. Located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, on fashionable Collins Street, Ganache displays mouth-watering selections (all delivered daily), together with coffees, hot chocolates and light lunches.

We enjoyed their delicious hazelnut fan slice over a cup of coffee. The slice comprised of hazelnut sponge with whole roasted hazelnuts, covered in a layer of hazelnut praline and Paillete feuilletine, then a layer of soft milk chocolate mousse. Glazed with a milk chocolate glaze and decorated with milk chocolate curls and freshly roasted hazelnuts, it was a sight to behold.

What: A range of themed chocolate tour experiences. There is something for every type of chocoholic: if you like both milk and dark chocolate, try The Melbourne’s Chocolate Wonderland Tour, which takes in six different Chocolate cafes, including Haigh’s Chocolate; the Chocolate Lovers Tour is strictly milk chocolate; while the Bittersweet Chocolate Delights tour caters for those who crave the bittersweet cacao bean bite.

Costs: $49.00 per person

Inclusions: Every person on a Chocoholic Tour is given a bottle of water, an “I’m A Chocoholic” badge, a map of the tour and a tasting bag for the chocolate goodies picked up along the way. Each tour ends off with a decadent afternoon tea (more chocolate, if you can handle it) plus a coffee.

To check out the range of Chocoholic Tours available, visit their website: www.chocoholictours.com.au

Gastrology bloggers received the products courtesy of Koko Black.

Chocolate has the wonderful quality of being able to make great times even better. At Christmas time especially, chocolate deliciously accentuates shared moments spent celebrating with family and friends.

Koko Black's 2014 Christmas Collection celebrates the magical time that is Christmas, with seasonally themed signature favourites, artisan gift boxes, hand-painted snowmen and delightful stocking fillers.

We were recently at Koko Black's Collins Street store where we picked up a few of their most popular Christmas treats this year.

Signature keepsake (4 pce) $14

The limited edition Signature Keepsakes offer a selection of fresh hand designed chocolate creations and include seasonal exclusives such as the hazelnut praline snowman, raspberry ganache and plum pudding ganache – in both milk and dark couverture chocolate.

Apart from being filled with amazing chocolates, the Signature Keepsake boxes make lovely collectable pieces as they feature one off’s by well known artists. This Christmas' Signature Keepsake features artwork from renowned Australian artist Adam Nickel.

Favourites Gift Box - petite (150g) - Roasted Almonds and Macadamias in Milk Chocolate $16.50

Beautifully crafted, this Favourites Gift Box is designed to make gift giving simple and gift receiving joyous.

Favourites selection hamper $60

Our favourites selection comprised a selection of decadent signature products in milk and dark chocolate.

The hamper features beautifully roasted almonds in milk chocolate, vanilla pistachio nougat in dark chocolate, macadamia, cranberry & cherry in milk chocolate, salted cashew nut brittle inclusion in dark chocolate and festive stars in solid milk chocolate. This pack is one that will surprise and spoil the special people in your life.

Gift box (16 pce) $36.50

Another option if you know exactly what your loved ones (or you) want, is to create your own personalised gift box by hand selecting favourites from Koko Black's coveted signature chocolate collection.

Otherwise, you can leave the choice in the hands of the experts with the Chocolatier’s gift box selection.

The festive season is a truly special time, where time slows down and our hopes and dreams for the following year shine brightly. And what better way to celebrate than by giving the gift of Koko Black to those you truly care about... including yourself.

Collins Street Store details

Location: 52 Collins Street, Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9663 5567
Link: http://www.kokoblack.com/