Past Newsletters - October 2009
Dolfin: Exceptional Chocolate Making = Worldwide Fame
The Dolfin Company was founded in 1989 by Michael and Jean-Francois Poncelet, brothers who can attribute their infatuation and experience with chocolate to fortuitous parentage. They were born into the great Belgian tradition of chocolate making. Their mother and father once owned Neuhaus, a world-renowned Belgian master-chocolatier enterprise. Their heritage and exposure resulted in a passion for chocolate and, fortunately for club members, exceptional chocolate making acumen. The brothers knew firsthand the intoxication that excellent chocolate can have on the senses. At the same time, they gained experience and exposure to the time-tested methods and ingredients used to produce world-class chocolate.
When they jointly decided to create their own company, they weren't on a quest to make a quick buck by simply advertising their Belgian chocolate-making legacy. They wanted to build a chocolate company that created confections that would be respected and coveted worldwide. To reach this end, they chose to draw on the original strong points of old-world chocolate by highlighting chocolate’s strengths and pure taste while appealing to an increasingly discerning buying public and the catering industry's demand for authenticity.
Their efforts have delivered some astonishingly delicious chocolate and left some remarkably satiated chocolate lovers. The components of Dolfin chocolates are a far cry from flavored creams and artificial fillings. Their entire product line is based on the art of skillfully selecting natural ingredients to mix with high-quality chocolate. Always bearing in mind this craftsman's approach - forcing the tool to meet the demands of quality - rather than the other way around, the Poncelet brothers can be very proud of their work. Sales are rising steadily, amounting to 220 tons of chocolate sold in the year 2000, with 40% allocated for the export market. Their top-of-the-shelf bars and Neapolitan chocolate squares are offered in some of the most prestigious emporiums in the world, such as Selfridges in London, La Grande Epicerie in Paris, the KDW in Berlin, and the Sony Plaza in Tokyo. This month you are in the company of other chocolate cohorts in every corner of the globe.
Meeting with critical as well as public acclaim, Dolfin has been awarded the Imagination and Creativity Prize at the Sial in Paris, as well as gold and silver medals in the Great Taste Awards held in London. Among the most sought-after offerings in their collection are the remarkably flavorful Neapolitans. A tempting invitation to indulge to excess, the square Neapolitan provides a perfect bite of pleasure—one that can be repeated often. With thirteen delicious flavors in two packages—we're talking no fewer than 96 pieces of gourmet chocolate—these fantastic squares come packaged in posh, attractive boxes and artfully designed individual wrappers. We're sure you will enjoy them as much as we did!
Traditional Chocolate Making Married With Innovation and Creativity
In 1998 Dolfin launched a new chocolate product line that melded together new flavors and styles with the traditional methods for which they'd become known. Ingredient selection is paramount to their overall process. The folks at Dolfin clearly subscribe to the notion that, if one starts with the wrong ingredients, the result is a product that can never satisfy the chocolate maker or the consumer. The first component in creating their masterpieces is, not surprisingly, the use of outstanding traditional Belgian chocolate, made with real cocoa butter. Relying on a subtle blend to achieve the most refined harmony possible, Dolfin seeks its inspiration from the celebrated properties of the best natural ingredients.
However, the actual ingredients, while critical, are not the sole important issue when it comes to the overall tasting experience. The method of incorporation is key. Should the ingredient be ground, grated, or crushed? Unlike the principle governing flavor, this new approach of meticulous attention devoted to ingredient selection and blending results in a genuinely mouth-watering experience that can be characterized as "a procession of flavors." First you taste the chocolate. Then it melts, allowing the essence of the other components—the sharp or mild spice of the other ingredients, for example—to be revealed in all their purity. Dolfin’s method of making chocolate is much more than a methodology. It’s a philosophy and a passionate endeavor. The end result is a product line that is sublime to taste, always a pleasure to smell, and lovely to look at.
Treats No One Else on Your Block is Likely to Receive This Halloween*
Milk Chocolate. Plain and simple? Not even close. While Dolfin's more intricate flavor pairings may garner more attention at first, this milk chocolate Neapolitan is about as flavorfully ornate as milk chocolate comes. The true essence of the superbly popular cocoa and milk combination is revealed in this smooth and sultry example of chocolate perfection. Relish it!
Dark Chocolate with Nougatine. The nougatine created by the artisans at Dolfin is unlike anything you have ever tasted. Countless incarnations using literally hundreds of varied blends were experimented with before finally achieving the flavorsome combination found in this ambrosial confection. Note the aroma that invades the nose first, highlighted by a nutty, almost buttery, quality. The initial flavor is of dark chocolate, with the bulk of the nougatine flavors being released only after the chocolate begins to melt in your mouth. It is an absolutely brilliant pageant of scents and flavors.
Milk Chocolate with Nougatine. Sultry smooth milk chocolate blended with a rich cascade of nougatine flavors awaits you inside this deliciously delicate Neapolitan square. Truly delicious, but be sure to take your time with these (and all of the other) chocolate pieces. Sample it bite by bite and indulge in the savory bliss that is revealed as each morsel is allowed to slowly melt in your mouth, bathing your taste buds in a wash of flavorful chocolate ecstasy.
Dark Chocolate with Orange Peel. This isn't your ordinary orange-infused chocolate square. The folks at Dolfin are not content to use just some artificial orangey flavor, or even a simple yet genuine orange oil concentrate. This chocolate actually contains tiny pieces of crystallized orange peel, imparting a sweet yet slightly bitter flavor that sings in perfect harmony with the chorus of dark chocolate flavors. Yummy!
Milk Chocolate with Coffee. In addition to the quality of the coffee used, the milling of the beans provides the flavor keystone for this chocolate. The milling is fine enough to avoid large, cumbersome bits on the palate, but not too fine so as to underwhelm the senses. With this carefully achieved blend, the coffee taste is carefully spread out and not overpowered by the sweetness of the chocolate. Note the tiny chips of crystallized coffee bean as you enjoy this treat!
Dark Chocolate—70% Cocoa. Cocoa lovers, be prepared for a real indulgence. At 70% cocoa, this chocolate is a truly decadent extravagance. At these levels of cocoa content, the fun qualities of dark chocolate are revealed. As you likely are aware, what most mass-produced "chocolates" taste like has very little to do with authentic cocoa flavor. Thankfully, Dolfin chocolates provide genuine cocoa flavor to those who are lucky enough to come across them. Consider yourself lucky!
Dark Chocolate—88% Cocoa. Prepared for a cocoa overload? No such thing, we say. For the true chocolate lover, this exceptional example of dark chocolate with its astonishing 88% cocoa will wow you. It still manages to be remarkably palatable with a bittersweet character that is truly difficult to put into words. Enjoy this little piece of heaven when you're not in a rush. This is no quick, bite-sized snack. This is chocolate that must be savored. Enjoy it during a quiet moment with either a glass of very cold, dry white wine, or with a cup of full-bodied, black coffee. When taken with the wine, the sharpness of the chocolate will come through ahead of the sweetness. With the coffee, you'll taste the sweetness first. These sorts of pairings are wonderful ways to turn your chocolate cravings into moments of ultimate cocoa complacency.
Dark Chocolate (52% Cocoa) with Fresh Ginger. This is one of the most unique flavors we've ever encountered in our chocolate-searching adventures. Ginger, regarded as the spice of life, comes together brilliantly in this sumptuous chocolate bar and awakens the taste buds. It is a great bar to cleanse the palate between deep dark chocolate flavors.
Dark Chocolate (52% Cocoa) with Aniseed. The company prides itself on employing the true nature of chocolate in its creations, but often with unusual spices in order to add a little zest and provide the taster with a complex flavor mix. Enjoy the flavorful dashes of licorice and dark though mildly bitter chocolate in this interesting and tasty treat!
Dark Chocolate (52% Cocoa) with Cardamom. Another Indian-spiced chocolate, expect characteristically cardamom notes of warm, lemony flavor. This is one you might want to keep around for Christmas time, as it makes a great holiday treat! From Scandinavia to India, this versatile spice is coveted in culinary delights the world over.
Milk Chocolate with Cinnamon. Cinnamon and milk chocolate? Not the most common of pairings, but it is often the uncommon that yield unique delights. This Neapolitan is a splendid example of this philosophy. The cinnamon has been perfectly powdered and ground to achieve a subtle flavor that is withheld until the point of melting before being fully realized by the taste buds. Try this piece with some coffee spiced with nutmeg and light whipped cream (too sweet a cream will overpower the flavor of the chocolate) or perhaps alongside a slice of the currently available favorite—pumpkin pie.
Dark Chocolate with Cumin. "Excuse me?" You might be a bit stunned at the suggestion that cumin and dark chocolate actually belong together; but go ahead, try this and be convinced! The cumin flavors are restrained, allowing the dark chocolate to shine through, but with gentle spiciness and Far East flavorings. This piece is unique and well worth it if you're adventurous enough. Besides, it is chocolate and you know you love chocolate! Don't worry. Just enjoy!
Dark Chocolate with Earl Grey Tea. Many companies have begun infusing their chocolates with tea, often with the incomparable Earl Grey. This Neapolitan contains fine bits of tea leaves, imparting a wonderfully flavorful, aromatic, slightly spicy quality that must be tasted to appreciate. So what are you waiting for? This chocolate is wonderful alongside a fresh cup of Earl Grey, as you might imagine, steeped for 3-5 minutes and taken straight. (Cream or sweeteners can interfere with the true tea flavors).
*Unless, of course, you gave your neighbor a gift to The Gourmet Chocolate of the Month Club for Christmas last year. In that case you’re no doubt a friend for life! We make your holiday shopping easy. It’s not too early to get your ducks in a row. You’ll be amazed at the variety of fantastic features we offer—our flexible club memberships make memorable gifts for anyone, especially those “hard to shop for” persons in your life. Visit us at www.monthlyclubs.com or call us at the toll-free number below.
