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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???Hot off the back of my glowing review of the Tesco Finest Italian Gianduiotti at the start of the year Hotel Chocolat thought it best that they send me a sample of their Gianduja Praline Cubes to see if their own product could outperform the aforementioned. These Gianduja Praline Cubes have been long requested by ChocolateMission readers and I would have reviewed them far sooner had they not mysteriously disappeared out of distribution for a limited period in 2009. On pack these chocolates come described as 'the king of pralines with a melt in the mouth texture and deep chocolate flavour' ... there is nothing like having a bit of confidence in your product now is there ;) I had been looking forward to trying these for ages so I was really hoping that they wouldn't let me down.
These Gianduja Praline Cubes came in a box weighing 300.0g which was split into 42 small bite sized pieces. As I so frequently say with Hotel Chocolat products the presentation was first class once again and everything from the on-pack design work to the inner trays and padding radiated all the usual classiness that I have come to expect from the brand. Speaking of the chocolates themselves I have to admit that at first I thought they looked a little on the small side sitting in the tray though my opinion on that soon changed upon experiencing their richness. Although perhaps sceptical at their size initially, one thing that I was more impressed with was how they smelt and I immediately felt enticed by the raw and fresh nutty smells that wafted out of the box.
Picking my first piece out of the tray the first thing I noticed was the velvety feel of the chocolates on my fingers and I have to admit that I was impressed by the way that the chocolates left no stickiness or residue left on my fingers despite the ease at which they melted in the mouth. Speaking of the melt it is actually difficult for me to fully put in to words how luxurious it felt in the mouth. Allowing myself to go well over the top here it was simply sensuous and an utter delight feeling the cool, melty feel of the chocolate transform into it's silky liquid state .... it was just wonderful. Of course just as importantly the taste was also of a very high standard and the delicious blend of woody hazelnut and rich tasting creamy cocoa flavours delivered a smooth elegance that was demanded by the sublime melt. Contrary to my initial thoughts each block was sized to perfection. One cube was the perfect treat to compliment an after dinner coffee, whilst two cubes was enough to feel like a sinful indulgence that was so totally worth it.
Overall I feel like I have said everything in my above paragraph - if I haven't managed to put this over as a product I absolutely loved I should probably just give on this whole reviewing thing now. Pretty much everything about this product was spot on and I can only think of one minor thing that they could change to make it a real contender for the top place on ChocolateMission. Before I reveal that speaking of the actual product at hand I have nothing but positive things to say about it - the presentation was first class, the taste rich and flavoursome and lastly the melt was simply out of this world ... this is how Gianduja should be done! Where they could they improve it!? Well for me I would to try an even stronger, more intensive cocoa solids Gianduja. I am not to sure a 'darker' Gianduja would work as it may detract from the hazelnut flavours ... but hey I think it would be worth a go given the prestige at which Hotel Chocolat handle their darker chocolate recipes. For the time being I simply insist that all you praline and hazelnut chocolate fans doing yourselves a favour and indulge yourselves in a box of these Hotel Chocolat Gianduja Praline Cubes. This is a product well worthy of being recognised as being one of the best ever tasted on ChocolateMission and is well worthy of it's tremendous score.
9.4 out of 10
These Gianduja Praline Cubes came in a box weighing 300.0g which was split into 42 small bite sized pieces. As I so frequently say with Hotel Chocolat products the presentation was first class once again and everything from the on-pack design work to the inner trays and padding radiated all the usual classiness that I have come to expect from the brand. Speaking of the chocolates themselves I have to admit that at first I thought they looked a little on the small side sitting in the tray though my opinion on that soon changed upon experiencing their richness. Although perhaps sceptical at their size initially, one thing that I was more impressed with was how they smelt and I immediately felt enticed by the raw and fresh nutty smells that wafted out of the box.
Picking my first piece out of the tray the first thing I noticed was the velvety feel of the chocolates on my fingers and I have to admit that I was impressed by the way that the chocolates left no stickiness or residue left on my fingers despite the ease at which they melted in the mouth. Speaking of the melt it is actually difficult for me to fully put in to words how luxurious it felt in the mouth. Allowing myself to go well over the top here it was simply sensuous and an utter delight feeling the cool, melty feel of the chocolate transform into it's silky liquid state .... it was just wonderful. Of course just as importantly the taste was also of a very high standard and the delicious blend of woody hazelnut and rich tasting creamy cocoa flavours delivered a smooth elegance that was demanded by the sublime melt. Contrary to my initial thoughts each block was sized to perfection. One cube was the perfect treat to compliment an after dinner coffee, whilst two cubes was enough to feel like a sinful indulgence that was so totally worth it.
Overall I feel like I have said everything in my above paragraph - if I haven't managed to put this over as a product I absolutely loved I should probably just give on this whole reviewing thing now. Pretty much everything about this product was spot on and I can only think of one minor thing that they could change to make it a real contender for the top place on ChocolateMission. Before I reveal that speaking of the actual product at hand I have nothing but positive things to say about it - the presentation was first class, the taste rich and flavoursome and lastly the melt was simply out of this world ... this is how Gianduja should be done! Where they could they improve it!? Well for me I would to try an even stronger, more intensive cocoa solids Gianduja. I am not to sure a 'darker' Gianduja would work as it may detract from the hazelnut flavours ... but hey I think it would be worth a go given the prestige at which Hotel Chocolat handle their darker chocolate recipes. For the time being I simply insist that all you praline and hazelnut chocolate fans doing yourselves a favour and indulge yourselves in a box of these Hotel Chocolat Gianduja Praline Cubes. This is a product well worthy of being recognised as being one of the best ever tasted on ChocolateMission and is well worthy of it's tremendous score.
9.4 out of 10
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19 comments:
Wow, a 9.4! :D
These sound stunning and look stunning - and by your account they really are stunning too! :)
9.4 WOW! That is nearly a new highest score. I bet these are amazing.
I was once given a pack of these by a friend and I can confirm they are every bit as good as you say.
I went to buy a pack for the same friend at Christmas to return the favour but they didn't sell them anymore. I am so glad they are back :)
Rxxx
Hotel Chocolat are going to be one of the last few remaining British manufactures. We should cherish them for products like this :( I guess it is only a matter of time before they get bought out by some big cheese corporation.
Dx
The biggest score of the year by a mile => Great review Jim.
These scored pretty good huh!? I will have to buy some for my girlfriend for valentines day. It sounds like a good excuse to eat them myself lol.
Your picture makes it look like they are cubes of fudge. I have never tried gianduj before but I am really curious to do so now.
300g of gianduja chocs? They don't sell them in smaller boxes, do they?
I'm not a big fan of hazelnutty stuff, though I have found a few gianduja chocolates that I thought were really nice... in small quantities. These are HC and their products are generally nice, so they would be worth a try even for those not crazy about hazelnuts.
By the way, will you be reviewing some of their Valentine boxes? The Sleekster Season of Love Selection seems very interesting.
I'm so glad you reviewed these! They're one of my favourite HC products, I think they are absolutely divine. I love how they just melt in your mouth, the texture is brilliant! Glad you loved them as much as me :)
Great review. An absolute must for any gianduja lover. They are perfect in every respect, texture as well as taste. Could well be my new favourite.
These look delicious I have to say! I like your idea of a darker version, I've never seen a dark Gianduja before. Or hpw about a layered version, half dark and half this one, so that you might get a more intense flavour but wouldn't have such a risk of losing the nuttiness coming through so much.
I really really REALLY want to try some of these! I don't get to Hotel Chocolat often but next time I do I'll certainly buy some.
Yay I am so glad you reviewed these I have had my eye on them for ages. I am definitely going to buy some now.
Did you factor price in to your score? I would expect these are bloomin expensive.
I love Gianduja because of the way it melts. If it is high quality it is like putting a bit of butter on your tongue (that sounds disgusting but I am sure you know what I am getting at lol). I have a real craving for some now.
Oh yummy. It is good to see there are some quality British producers left standing :)
I don't care what price I would have to pay if these are really this good.
Claudia
Stunning is a word that describes these well. Well worth anyone giving them a try.
David
Trust me they are well worth their score.
Rachel
As I said in the review they were delisted for a short period in 2009! They are back with avengence now though :)
Daisy
Lets hope that Hotel Chocolat stay true to their roots eh!? I hope they do anyway.
Max
You are right they do look like cubes of fudge a bit. Gianduja is a real experience I would give it a try.
Mark
Haha good thinking! Not only will you get brownie points but she will have to share ... surely!?
Ana
Nope they don't - but believe me you will cherish every last piece.
I will indeed be reviewing several of their Valentines day products very soon.
You can find my review of their season of love selection from last year here .. http://www.chocolatemission.net/search/label/Valentines%202009
Gemma
It is equally as good to hear that someone else rates them as highly as I do! I will be having these again in the near future for sure.
Susanne
Thanks I am glad you also like them as much. You are correct they are a real must for gianduja lovers.
Alan
That is a wonderful idea ... I think the two tone chocolate would also look pretty awesome don't you think!? Lets hope they really do check the site for ideas eh!?
Phil
It would be great to hear what you think about them matey. I think they sound like your sort of thing.
Emma
As I just said to Phil it would be great to hear your view on them 1Be sure to drop a note of them when you do!
Paul
Price is sort of factored in to all parts of the matrix ... i.e. I would expect a premiuim price product to look, taste better etc.
Ganesh
I know what you are getting at! The texture of Gianduja really is an experience to behold ... well the good stuff like this anyway :)
Katie
Haha someone else said exactly the same thing.
Anon
I think price does have a role to play in how highly I rate a product ... take a look at what I said above to Ganesh.
Thanks everyone - I really recommend you try this product if you like Gianduja.
JIM
Good luck trying to order them! I tried and I am still waiting 3 weeks later! They've sent me a replacement product which I don't even want!!!
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