Fine Dark Chocolate from the East India Company
In the heart of London's Mayfair, The East India Company's flagship store hosts a range of fine luxury foods within categories such as Tea, Chocolate, Coffee, Wines, Jams, Mustard and Biscuits, as well as a range of corporate and occasion based gift boxes, hampers and trunks.
We sampled a selection of their dark fine chocolates and discovered their story, regaled through chocolate and inspired by flavours and textures from their voyages.
Granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1600, the company was originally founded to explore the mysteries of the East. In the process they mapped trading routes and discovered new and exotic goods which they returned to the West - with London quickly becoming established at the center of a vast, global warehouse, bringing with it new and exciting flavours from around the world.
While being steeped in history and tradition, in recent months the East India Company has undergone a number of changes to re-establish itself into the modern world.
Fine Dark Chocolate in the Mumtaz Mahal box
Before we review the chocolates we have to comment on the beautiful gift box they arrived in.
Born Arjumand Banu Begum - the Mumtaz Mahal (meaning "the chosen one of the palace") was a Mughal Empress and chief consort of emperor Shah Jahan.
Depicting the Mumtaz Mahal, the box is a wonderful keepsake and will make a lovely addition to any bookcase. Once the chocolates have long gone you will be left with a secret space inside a 'book' for placing treasured trinkets.
The sturdy box has a magnetised spine and closure, with an elasticated ribbon for final effect. Inside, the front leaf tells the story of this historic company and their promise to continue with their voyages into the present day.
The chocolates inside are all nestled into individual cases within their tray and come in pairs of each flavour. Since our insert referenced a Traditional English Selection and we had the Fine Dark Chocolates we did have a little game of guess the flavours.
Managing to easily identify the marzipan and liqueur varieties, we were a little lost with some of the other combinations but certain that they all contained quality ingredients encased in a fine dark chocolate.
Being chocolate lovers we have to honestly say these are not the best that we have eaten but they are a class above what is available on the shelves in most local high street stores.
If you like dark chocolate you will surely appreciate the quality in this box. If history could be eaten then we would say the East India Company have got it right with this selection as it is reminiscent of the chocolates our grandparents would have for special occasions. As a gift for someone who appreciates fine luxury chocolates, this would make a wonderful gift because you are not only buying a box of chocolate, you are also buying a little piece of history.
For more information visit www.theeastindiacompany.com