A Touch of continental Class! (Thorntons Continental Chocolate)

Member Name: Praskipark

Product:	Thorntons Continental Chocolate
Date:	17/07/08 (207 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well crafted chocolates with exquisite flavours.

Disadvantages: Perhaps a little too rich.

Chocolate - why do we love it so much? It gives us pleasure but not just from eating it but also from smelling it, looking at it, touching it, unwrapping it. When we take the wrapper off a bar of dark or milk chocolate or open up a box of chocolates we are already anticipating the next step which is to smell that pure chocolatey smell, exquisite, like a rich expensive perfume. Chocolate looks so smooth and glossy - you want to touch it. The sharp snapping sound when you break a piece of chocolate tantalises our taste buds and when it finally passes our lips and melts into our mouths we feel a wealth of sensory pleasure.

Chocolate has always been given as a gift for many, many years. A small box of chocolates can express so many different wishes. It can say thank you to a mother, grandmother, lover, teacher, hostess. Chocolates can also say Good Luck, Get Well Soon, Sorry or Bon Voyage.

Chocolate is used in various forms to celebrate Easter, Christmas and weddings. Valentines Day and Mother's Day are days in the social calendar when sales of chocolate must exceed other days.

I shouldn't think there isn't a country in the world that doesn't use chocolate as part of it's culture. Whether it be a Toblerone from Switzerland, truffles from Belgium, Chocolate crepes from France, brownies from America, Cadbury's milk chocolate from England or a cup of frothy hot chocolate from Spain. This delicious food of the gods unites all chocolate lovers throughout the world.

My particular favourite chocolates are Thornton's Continentals and I treasure the moment when I receive a box of these exquisitely crafted chocolates. I have a ritual and it is firstly not to open the box straight away. I usually place the box on a desk or table so I can admire the decorated packaging. I never eat all the chocolates at once when opened - usually one a week. I know most people who love chocolate open a box and then can't help but to eat all of them in one sitting. I like to savour the pleasure each time I delve into the padded papers of the box to find yet another delicacy. This ritual usually lasts about 4 weeks which is just enough time before the chocolates lose their shine and delicious taste.

When did the Thornton's Saga begin?
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It began in a sweet shop on Norfolk Street in Sheffield in 1911. Joseph William Thornton who was a confectionery sales man for the Don Confectionary Company, and his 14 year old brother, Norman, set up this shop to sell sweets and confectionery and then later they opened another shop in 1913 making their own sweets and chocolate. Both shops became successful and Norman was joined by his younger brother in 1921 when the company J.W. Thornton Ltd was formed. At that time they had 4 shops and 1 fruit shop open.

I actually worked on Norfolk Street when I was 18 years old in an arts and crafts suppliers. Sometimes customers in those days used to leave tips or not pick up all of their change. We had a small pot near the till and all this spare coinage went into the pot. Every month the manageress used to count the coins and if we had enough for 8ozs of Thornton's Continentals one of the younger members of staff would be sent to the shop on Norfolk Street to buy the chocolates. They were then shared out between all the staff. Happy Days!

Nowadays Thorntons confectionery is sold in 380 shops and 210 franchises throughout the United kingdom. None of the Thornton's family members are active in the business any more as the company was floated on the stock market in 1988. In 1911 the two brothers set out to create the best confectionery in the United Kingdom and I certainly think they achieved their goal.

Continental Chocolates
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There are 53 chocolates including 9 new flavours in the Continental range. The collection consists of truffles, pralines, mousses in white, dark and milk chocolate. This range was introduced by Thorntons 50 years ago by a swiss chocolatier, Walter Willen.

I can't possibly review 53 different chocolates but I will review a selection of 8 which are my favourites;

Alpini - 10/10
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This always reminds me of a small log covered in snow but I think it is meant to be like a mountain in the Swiss Alps. The taste is of ground hazelnuts blended together with sweet roasted almonds which gives a nutty texture. I love the smooth texture of the chocolate outside with the dusting of icing sugar on the top. Delicious.

Viennese Truffle - 8/10
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I love the round shape of this chocolate and the crisp sound it makes when you bite into the centre which is filled with a soft mousse. I have deducted 2 points as I think the sprinkling of sugar on the top is too sweet for me.

Sicilian Lemon Mousse - 10/10
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This has a real taste of lemon and cream. The tangy lemon taste really zings on your tongue. The mousse filling is soft and extra creamy. Absolutely gorgeous.

Vanilla Truffle - 10/10
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This is a dark, smooth truffle covered in creamy white chocolate. It tastes very much lke a hand made swiss chocolate. Melts in your mouth - scrumptious.

Apricot Parfait - 10/10
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This combination of dark chocolate mixed with roasted almonds and smooth apricot filling works for me. The bitterness of the chocolate and slight sharp taste of the apricot is really refreshing and I adore this chocolate.

Rum Truffle - 9/10
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The fresh cream outer layer is appealing and then when you bite into the chocolate you taste the cocoa and dark Jamaican rum. Not everybody's taste but an old favourite with most I think.

Champagne Truffle - 9/10
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This is divine but can be a bit sickly. White thick chocolate covering with a soft mouse filling of champagne and whipped fresh cream.

Cherry Truffle - 8/10
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This is one most people would probably leave out of their selection but I think the mixture of dark chocolate topped with a cherry and filled with kirsch is a winner.

So there you have a selection of 8 of my favourite chocolates in the Thorntons collection.

Packaging
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If you buy Thornton's Continentals from a shop in the high street or on line from the web site you can choose your own packaging or you can buy boxes already made up.

The web site is very comprehensive and easy to use. You can create your own box of chocolates by selecting from milk, dark and white chocolate. As well as the Continental range there are 37 other flavours to choose from.

Prices vary from: 6.95 for a box of 8 chocolates, 10.95 - 16 chocolates, 17.50 - 32 chocolates and 29.95 for 64 chocolates.

Delivery charges start from 3.95. for a delivery in the week. Saturday delivery is charged at 5.95 and next day delivery or a specific date delivery costs 5.95 also.

Box designs are numerous; chocolate polka dot, vintage rose, pretty in pink, lilac swirl, roses are red, so stripy, green dotty or classical Thornton's.

Greeting cards can be added as well as bottles of wine or champagne if ordered on line. Also for the very special occasions in life bouquets of flowers can be sent with chocolates of your choice.

In the Continental range -130gm of chocolates in dark, milk or white costs 2.99, 400gm box costs 11 pounds and a 800gm box will set you back 20 pounds.

If you really want to splash out you can purchase a Continental Cascade which consists of 4 boxes of chocolates packaged together and tied in ribbons. The cost is only 40 pounds but worth it for a special treat.

Web site link: http://www.thorntons.co.uk

Quality and Freshness of Continental Chocolates and Chocolate Generally.
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Here are a few tips to help you keep chocolates fresh and know when they are old and tasteless;

Smell - The chocolates should not smell too sweet.

Sound - When you break chocolate in to pieces it should make a clear distinctive snapping noise. If it breaks into small pieces it is too dry and if it is difficult to break it is too waxy.

Touch - If chocolate melts in your hand quickly this means it has a high cacao butter content and is a good sign.

Taste - Chocolate should feel very smooth in the mouth with no hint of graininess and it should melt almost immediately.

Storage
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Keep chocolates out of direct sunlight. Heat can cause a discolouring of the chocolate and a 'bloom' on the surface. Humidity isn't very good either as this also causes a severe grey colouring on the surface. The ideal temperature for storing chocolate is around 10 - 15 degrees and if possible in an air tight container as chocolate absorbs odours.

Well I think I am near the end of the review except that I would like to say that I have actually visited the Thornton's factory in Belper, Derbyshire. It was a few years ago when my husband was involved in environmental issues and looking at ways to make companies more environmentally friendly in the Sheffield region. We were invited to tour and inspect the factory and I can honestly say it wasn't anything like Willy Wonka and I didnt see an umpa lumpa in sight.

It was a very interesting experience and way back then - 15 years ago, Thornton's were ahead of their time environmentally and in their processing and manufacturing techniques.

Summary
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Continentals are my favourite type of chocolates but I realise that they are very rich in flavour and not to everybodys taste. I think the quality is outstanding and some of the flavours are absolutely delicious. They are very special chocolates and perfect for any sort of gift or to eat on any special occasion. Thornton's shops are of a very high standard and their web site is excellent and cant be faulted. Highly Recommended.

Summary: A perfect gift for nearly all occasions.