In Hong Kong, it’s easy to get your hands on delicious chocolates from big brands all around the world. Switch things up this Easter by sampling handcrafted single-origin chocolate from local chocolatiers and chocolate brands.
Conspiracy Chocolate
Specializing in bean-to-bar chocolate handcrafted in Hong Kong, Conspiracy Chocolate are all 75% or higher and does not contain anything besides pure cacao and minimal amounts of organic raw cane sugar. They source cacao beans directly from a single farm the Dak Lak province in Vietnam, which has tasting notes of toffee, spices, cherry, tobacco. All their chocolate bars are crafted in-house in Hong Kong.
Conspiracy Chocolate is expert in creating original yet surprisingly balanced flavors. The Chai bar blends chocolate with the traditional chai spices for a warming bite. We love the Sourdough bar for the crunchy, creamy, tart, and savory flavor profile. Or comfort your taste buds as well as anxiety with the CBD bar, made with cacao, CBD isolate and hemp seed hearts.
Available online or at various stockists including The Coffee Academics and Eric Kayser
http://www.conspiracychocolate.com/
Hakawa Chocolate
Hakawa Chocolate is a craft chocolate shop on Gough Street selling chocolate bars and chocolate drinks. The owners Sally and Mandy import cacao beans from Sri Lanka, Ecuador, and Peru, and roast and ground the beans at the store. Solid bars come in flavors such as 74% original, almond and goji osmanthus. There is a gift box option for those looking to treat a loved one. Don’t leave before trying their drinking chocolate. The 74% cacao is sweetened with natural cane sugar, while the 100% cacao lets you fully immerse in the pure chocolate sensation.
1B, 49-51A Gough St, Central
http://www.facebook.com/HakawaChocolate/
Chocolates By Ryan L Foote
Founded by artist, designer, chef and food designer Ryan L Foote, who is based between Hong Kong and Australia, ‘Chocolates by Ryan L Foote’ creates futuristic chocolates by combining age-old chocolatier techniques with 3D printing technology. The chocolates are crafted in complicated organic or geometric shapes, resembling miniature architecture in their form.
But they don’t only look innovative, they also come in experimental flavors. Chocolate boxes include nine pieces in either the Hong Kong or Australia collection. Hong Kong flavors include egg tart, mango coconut cream, milk tea, five-year-aged chenpi and caramel char siu. Be ready for a visual and gastronomic adventure.
Available online at http://www.chocolatesbyrlf.com/
The Chocolate Club HK
Founded in 2013 by chocolate connoisseur Katie Chan, the Chocolate Club HK is all about promoting chocolate appreciation and importing high quality craft chocolate from around the world. Currently carrying five artisanal brands from Taiwan, Thailand, Ecuador, Hong Kong and San Francisco, The Chocolate Club sells their selection online or at various stockists including Kapok. Other than chocolate bars, the shop also carries drinking chocolate made from 100% cocoa powder.
For the ultimate chocolate gift, consider their monthly “Choco-Care Box”, which includes two to three craft chocolate bars curated by founder Katie, a set of information cards, and access to a live steam tasting session for the month.
Available online or at various stockists
http://www.thechocolateclubhk.com/
Cult de Choco
Cult de Choco is an online retailer selling handcrafted chocolate in new and special flavors around the world, made by chocolatiers who dedicate their passion and skills to the craft. The shop currently carries 17 brands, including the award-winning Peruvian chocolate maker Cacaosuyo, Hugarian chocolatier Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé, and Portuguese chocolate brand Feitoria do Cacao. Too many options? Visit Cult de Choco’s pop-up store at eslite Bookstore in Hysan Place, Causeway Bay for some in-person chocolate recommendations!
Available online at http://cult-de-choco.myshopify.com/
