Past Newsletters

January 2008

Welcome to Nirvana!

The magnificent chocolatier that we have selected this month is one that we feel lives up to its name—and we think you'll agree. Founded by Christophe Van Riet, Nirvana Chocolates will take you to a place that only true Belgian Chocolate can.

Chocolate is not only savored in Belgium, it is exceptionally prized. To the Belgian people, chocolate is a deep passion, and its esteemed reputation in the world is a source of national pride. Undoubtedly, Belgian chocolate is some of the finest, with a very distinctive flavor all its own due in large part to the use of cocoa beans from Africa, which are stronger and more assertive than the milder South American beans favored by American chocolatiers. Belgian confisiers, or chocolate shops, are places of beauty and presence. Customers are knowledgeable about their chocolate choices and carefully select one by one what goes into the boxes they take home.

Embarking on a quest to find truly fresh chocolates in the United States equal in quality to chocolates found in Belgium, Nirvana Chocolates founder Christophe Van Riet ultimately succumbed to a notion he must have had well before beginning his search. In order to properly emulate the Belgians and their astounding chocolate, he realized there was just no other choice but to import exceptional, fresh chocolate directly from Belgium. The delicacies you are about to taste come from a small shop that uses traditional Belgian methods and only the freshest ingredients. These outstanding chocolatiers take great pride in crafting their artisanal chocolates, and as you'll experience, each morsel is made with a palatable passion and incomparable commitment.

The chocolate shop Christophe chose for his authentic ingredients is located just outside of Brugge, Belgium—a romantic city where the selection of fine chocolate is taken very seriously. Have a look at this beautiful city by visiting www.visit-bruges.com. The medieval city of Brugge is so well preserved that it holds several locations that are recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as world heritage sites.

It's What's Inside That Counts!

Nirvana Chocolates are individually hand-made by award winning chocolatiers. Superb taste is achieved through a skillful contrast of textures and flavors. All of their chocolates are derived from rich African cocoa beans. Add to that cream, butter, sugar and the distince textures and natural flavorings, and you have the basis upon which all Nirvana Chocolates are made. Their delicious and beautiful couverture is made with the highest quality Callebaut chocolate, from the world-famous premium-quality chocolate supplier. Traditional artistry combined with unique flavors creates a harmonious balance of sinfully delicious taste sensations.

Nirvana Chocolates are always made in small batches so that the freshest possible chocolate is guaranteed. Their ingredients are pure, and their smooth supreme quality is consistently achieved, providing the difference between mass-produced chocolates and their superb flavors. Nirvana chocolates are delivered from their Brugge, Belgium workshop to their customers' doors in days, ensuring the ultimate in freshness. It goes without saying that we agree with these methods—fresh chocolate is certainly the best!

You Can Taste The Difference!

Similar to typical wine-tasting rituals, there is a chocolate-tasting methodology that allows for optimal enjoyment. The more varieties of chocolate one eats, the more one can develop a certain degree of expertise and sensitivity to a range of flavors. Just as in the evaluation of wine, it is necessary to 'grow your palate' in order to perceive the full range of flavors that true gourmet chocolate has to offer. In general, there are three steps. First, look at the quality of the chocolate. How well was it crafted? Observe the degree of attention to fine detail. Next, check the chocolate aroma. As soon as you open the box, you should notice a quality chocolate scent. There should be no hint of any chemicals or any overwhelming sweetness to overpower the cocoa. The aroma should be rich, yet subtle and of course, most appealing. Finally, examine the proportions of the chocolate, regularity of the color, and glossiness of the finish (which should be subtle but noticeable). The shape should be harmonious, the hues deep and reddish.

Similarly, one should consume chocolate of this quality much the same as a good red wine—at room temperature. This ensures that the creamy structure, full flavor profile and the silkiness of the filling and aroma will be at their best. Bite off a small piece of chocolate and let it gently melt on your tongue. Look for a good balance between sweet and bitter. Quality chocolates should not be overly sweet. Evaluate whether or not the use of vanilla or other flavors is subtle or overpowering. Also like fine wine, the finish should be pleasant and long-lasting. The aftertaste should be strong but never overriding. Above all, the chocolate should taste very fresh, and certainly never stale. It should leave you with a desire for another chocolate...so be prepared!

Speaking of fine wine, check out www.winemonthclub.com to review the excellent selection of domestic and international wines that are available through our Wine of the Month Club. Just like these delicious chocolates, superb wines could also be delivered right to your door each month.

Let's Review Before We Savor These Exceptional Treats…

The Nirvana Belgian Chocolate Truffles we've selected for you embody all of the above marks of high quality and are a rewarding sensation for both the eye and the palate. This delightful assortment contains the rich taste of premium Belgian chocolate with all-natural distinctive flavors, such as raspberry, soft caramel, rich Amaretto, smooth mocha, champagne, and Cointreau. Each elegant Nirvana box includes a delectable assortment of milk, dark, and ivory truffles.

Truffles, named after the exotic French mushroom, are either hand-rolled chocolate or domed with loaded centers. With eight tantalizing varieties you are bound to experience a bravura celebration for your senses!

Cointreau - Milk Chocolate shell filled with delicate creamy Cointreau ganache filling.

Raspberry - Dark Chocolate ensconced by a silky raspberry cream ganache.

Classic Praline - Hazelnut with chocolate—a very popular treat - a classic indulgence and smoothly complemented by exquisite milk chocolate. Milk chocolate like this is truly tough to come by!

Caramel - Milk Chocolate filled with a smooth caramel ganache.

Champagne - White Chocolate filled with a luxurious champagne ganache. Is white chocolate really chocolate? Check out our website to find out - www.monthlyclubs.com, click on Chocolate, then Chocolate Bytes.

Amaretto Cream - Dark Chocolate truffle dusted with cacao and filled with amaretto cream.

Praline Chocolate - To make this treat, Nirvana must first roast and then caramelize hazelnut pieces, and then cover the truffle mixture with varieties of the most pure chocolate.

Soft Mocha - Milk Chocolate filled with a soft mocha cream and covered with dark chocolate flakes. What could be better?

All of these premium Belgian confections contain only the highest quality ingredients. Wholesome and delicious, they are made from the freshest milk, cream and butter and feature the strong, true taste of the African cocoa bean. Variously flavored with pure vanilla, honey, fruits, nuts and liqueurs, every bite of Nirvana lets you experience the best chocolates this side of heaven. Here's a short list of the ingredients they use:

• Pure cocoa butter
• Pure sugar
• Pure vanilla
• Fresh fruits and spices
• Cocoa (content ranges from 50 - 72%)
• Rich African Cocoa Beans
• Organic milk (no chemicals)
• No artificial preservatives
• Brand-name liquors for flavoring
• Pure Almond Marzipan made according to the Lubecker method

Storage Tips

Like fine wines, chocolates should be stored in a cool, dry and dark area. Since chocolate is highly susceptible to absorbing odors, your chocolates should be kept away from other strongly fragrant foods. Optimally, you should store your chocolates at 59° to 65° F (15° to 18 °C), and under 65% humidity. If you keep them in an ambient temperature below 72°F (21°C), there is no need to refrigerate your chocolates if they can be eaten within three weeks, and let's face it, these chocolates will most likely be eaten within the first few days! Hide them somewhere safe if you want to get a chance to try all the flavors! So what are you waiting for? Nirvana beckons!

A Little Chocolate Whimsy Part 7 In recent months, we have shared a little ditty from chocolate-writer Theresa Cheung's delightful little book, Chocolate Principles to Live By, in which she suggests one can get insights into the personality of oneself and another by the shape of the chocolate chosen. She says "the shapes you are attracted to when presented with a choice of chocolates might reveal aspects of your personality and the way you appear to others. When using this fun approach to self-analysis, base your choice on instinct or first impressions – take the shape that you naturally want." This month we're featuring diamond. We will share others in future months so stay tuned! Of course, Ms. Cheung suggests that we "take these personality hints with a pinch of salt." Diamond: You are a person of integrity. You have no time for the superficial. It is important for you to be doing something that you believe in and that will make the world a better place. You love to be surrounded by beauty and, when in a relationship, are deeply committed. This will be our final installment of Cheung's charming insights into the personalities of chocolate lovers. We hope you have enjoyed this segment.