COCOA CHANNEL - CHOCOLATE MADE IN KENT
We didn’t realise that our small corner of the country was such a hub for the sweet arts. It turns out that Kent is brimming with choco-maestri to rival anywhere across the Channel. We have picked out some of our favourites...
Goupie
Starting with Grandma’s secret recipe, Goupie has remained a family business into its third generation and is now dealing out delicacies from its chocolate kitchen in Goudhurst to stockists all over the UK and Ireland as well as to its new Chocolate House in Tunbridge Wells’s über-trendy Central Market.
From ethically conscious sourcing of ingredients to the sustainability of its packaging, Goupie is a good egg, with a full explanation of all ingredients and sourcing. Incidentally, it also has no-egg options, with vegan, veggie and gluten-free products available.
goupiechocolate.com / https://www.instagram.com/goupiegroupies/
Serendipity
Wow. What to say about these guys…. proper, proper skilled.
Herne Bay self-taught chocolatiers Lizzey Gregory and Lauren Wood like to create and explore chocolate in a slightly different way to most, believing chocolate should be enjoyed just the same as when an individual experiences a meal.
Using seasonal and sustainable ingredients, and perhaps some pairings that you may not think would work, they believe chocolate can be utilised and manipulated to create new flavour-memories.
Aiming to work with other local businesses, whether that be farmers, ceramicists and even photographers, Serendipity is very aware of its impact on the planet and so refuses to work with unfairly-traded cocoa and palm oil.
Kent Dark Chocolate Company
If you crave eating dark chocolate straight from the pack, look no further than the Kent Dark Chocolate Company.
Manufactured in Folkestone, the organic and Fairtrade chocolate hits the high-quality and intense notes, with 100g options of 72% and 87% (Extra Dark Chocolate) cocoa.
The brand’s local focus is used to support Kent-based charities including KSAR Kent Search, Headway East Kent and Last Chance Animal Rescue.
Look out for its recipes to create sweet treats using the dark chocolate.
www.kentdarkchocolate.co.uk/ / https://www.instagram.com/kentdarkchocolate/
So Free Chocolate
Starting out in the 1960s to produce an alternative to dairy milk, Plamil started life as Plant Milk and has been pioneering in manufacturing a range of vegan-friendly foods; it is the longest-running plant-based business in the UK.
From its base in Folkestone, Plamil’s chocolate brand So Free offers dairy-free, organic and no added sugar chocolate bars, as well as scrumptious organic chocolate spread.
Made to the highest standards, products are SALSA, Fairtrade Foundation, Soil Association, UTZ and Kosher certified.
A fascinating company, MD Adrian Ling, the vegan Willy Wonka, has even appeared in Forbes magazine!
www.plamilfoods.co.uk/ / https://www.instagram.com/sofreechocolate/
Rock & Roll Chocolate
Offering luxury Belgian chocolates with lashings of all your favourite toppings, Rock & Roll Chocolate was created out of owner Rebecca Powell’s previous cake business.
Now offering a vast array of delicious Belgian chocolate bars alongside triple chocolate fudgy brownies, delivered straight to your door, Rock & Roll Chocolate lets your imagination run wild with fully customisable offers.
From bespoke chocolate slabs through to vegan Oreo monsters, there’s a lot to choose from!
www.rocknrollchocolate.co.uk / https://www.instagram.com/rocknrollchocolate/