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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???
Summer is nearly upon us, and there seemed no better way to warm up for my Hotel Chocolat Summer 2010 reviews, than by checking out one of the few remaining products I am yet to try from their standard range. After receiving e-mails from ChocolateMission readers Rachel & Chloe, I let their requests be known to my contacts at Hotel Chocolat, who were more than happy to send me some samples for a review. The product requested for a run through the ChocolateMission rating system were these Chocolate Gemstones, which Hotel Chocolat describe as 'individual little white and dark chocolate drops, which are fused together to create rather beautiful glossy gems of marbled chocolate' - no understating there then :D
The Chocolate Gemstones came in a 150.0g bag that I shared amongst my ever willing taste testing family. As I have mentioned above, Hotel Chocolat describe these as 'beautiful', and I can do little but agree. As commented on in previous reviews, I wouldn't say that the transparent film packaging looks all that prestigious, but what it did allow was visibility of the splendid looking inner pieces. One thing I do hope is that my photograph above has done these justice, as up close the sparkling marble effect created by the blended dark and white chocolate looked nothing short of magnifecent. Putting aesthetic observations aside, a thing of real note was the lack aromas emanating from the packet. Aside from a very minor hint of sweetness, these offered little in the way of true smells, which is not something I would usually attribute to Hotel Chocolat products.
Nowadays, whenever I review something from Hotel Chocolat I often have to remind myself (and my family!!) that I have ti judge the taste based on the average chocolate offering, and not on what I have come to expect from Hotel Chocolat. Despite this grounding context, I unfortunately have to report that these Gemstones didn't deliver anywhere near expectations, and they proved to be really disappointing. The main problem cited by all four of us that tasted them, was that they were really, really poor at generating a substantial volume of flavour. My own conclusion was that this issue was driven predominantly by the outer coating, which seemed to have a glazing agent like finish, despite nothing of the sort being stated in the ingredients. This glossy outer layer gave the Gemstones a waxy feel in the mouth, and made the melt initially feel really laboured and unlike any Hotel Chocolat chocolate I have ever had. Once the melt was underway it was extremely fast paced, which meant there were only suggestions of cream and cocoa offered taste wise before each mouthful sizzled out. To be frank it took a really large handful of these Gemstones to be eaten at any one time for a meaningful flavour impact to be created. In turn this made them feel very unsubstantial - my sister even exclaimed they seemed like a 'waste of calories'.
Overall simple maths would tell you that Hotel Chocolat white chocolate + Hotel Chocolat dark chocolate = Hotel Chocolat amazingness, but this unfortunately just wasn't the case with these Gemstones. Thinking about it now, Hotel Chocolat chocolate doesn't strike me as the sort of thing that would be best suited for this type of product. One thing we all know is that Hotel Chocolat chocolate is usually bursting full of wonderful flavours - this product format just simply didn't let them come to light, and put to waste all the potential of the chocolate they were formed with. As I have written above, a lot of the blame has to lie with odd outer texture which each and every piece had. Yes the glossy finish made them look good, however it spoilt them in regards to balance of taste and texture, as the melt began laboured with very little on offer in terms of flavours, but then suddenly quickened, melting away entirely before the true taste could be substantiated. Hotel Chocolat produce so many other outstanding chocolates in a whole variety of different formats. This sadly was just not one of them, and I would strongly suggest you are better off looking elsewhere in their range.
5.8 out of 10
The Chocolate Gemstones came in a 150.0g bag that I shared amongst my ever willing taste testing family. As I have mentioned above, Hotel Chocolat describe these as 'beautiful', and I can do little but agree. As commented on in previous reviews, I wouldn't say that the transparent film packaging looks all that prestigious, but what it did allow was visibility of the splendid looking inner pieces. One thing I do hope is that my photograph above has done these justice, as up close the sparkling marble effect created by the blended dark and white chocolate looked nothing short of magnifecent. Putting aesthetic observations aside, a thing of real note was the lack aromas emanating from the packet. Aside from a very minor hint of sweetness, these offered little in the way of true smells, which is not something I would usually attribute to Hotel Chocolat products.
Nowadays, whenever I review something from Hotel Chocolat I often have to remind myself (and my family!!) that I have ti judge the taste based on the average chocolate offering, and not on what I have come to expect from Hotel Chocolat. Despite this grounding context, I unfortunately have to report that these Gemstones didn't deliver anywhere near expectations, and they proved to be really disappointing. The main problem cited by all four of us that tasted them, was that they were really, really poor at generating a substantial volume of flavour. My own conclusion was that this issue was driven predominantly by the outer coating, which seemed to have a glazing agent like finish, despite nothing of the sort being stated in the ingredients. This glossy outer layer gave the Gemstones a waxy feel in the mouth, and made the melt initially feel really laboured and unlike any Hotel Chocolat chocolate I have ever had. Once the melt was underway it was extremely fast paced, which meant there were only suggestions of cream and cocoa offered taste wise before each mouthful sizzled out. To be frank it took a really large handful of these Gemstones to be eaten at any one time for a meaningful flavour impact to be created. In turn this made them feel very unsubstantial - my sister even exclaimed they seemed like a 'waste of calories'.
Overall simple maths would tell you that Hotel Chocolat white chocolate + Hotel Chocolat dark chocolate = Hotel Chocolat amazingness, but this unfortunately just wasn't the case with these Gemstones. Thinking about it now, Hotel Chocolat chocolate doesn't strike me as the sort of thing that would be best suited for this type of product. One thing we all know is that Hotel Chocolat chocolate is usually bursting full of wonderful flavours - this product format just simply didn't let them come to light, and put to waste all the potential of the chocolate they were formed with. As I have written above, a lot of the blame has to lie with odd outer texture which each and every piece had. Yes the glossy finish made them look good, however it spoilt them in regards to balance of taste and texture, as the melt began laboured with very little on offer in terms of flavours, but then suddenly quickened, melting away entirely before the true taste could be substantiated. Hotel Chocolat produce so many other outstanding chocolates in a whole variety of different formats. This sadly was just not one of them, and I would strongly suggest you are better off looking elsewhere in their range.
5.8 out of 10
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29 comments:
Hold up is my computer right? 5.8 for Hotel Chocolat?I never thought I would see the day lol.
Jim are you sure they taste this bad they looks so bootiful :-) Lol don't worry I trust your judgement. They do look like smaller version of Galaxy Counters - it is funny that you rate them higher than you do these.
Rxxx
These are one of the few Hotel Chocs I have tried and dont agree with you at all.
I thought they were like posh M+Ms myself. I don't understand what you mean about not being able to taste the white chocolate. Some of the bits in mine were completely white chocolate and they tasted amazing. We wont always agree lol.
WOw you bashing Hotel Chocolat I didn't see that coming. I guess I was totally wrong about your reviews being 'convenient' at times. I offer you my sincerest apologies.
"a waxy feel in the mouth, and made the melt initially feel really laboured and unlike any Hotel Chocolat chocolate I have ever had"
This is the bit that has put me off them. I think I know what you are getting at saying they have used some sort of glaze. I think they use the same things on other posh chocolates. They might have over done it here by the sounds of it.
Dx
What are my dearest Hotel Chocolat up to? This review scares me as these are the sort of thing I could have seen myself buy from them. I have tried some of the Puddles chocolates they make before and really liked them (I suggest you try the peppermint ones if you can). I totally wasn't expecting these to score so badly.
I wasn't not expecting that at all. A fail by Hotel Chocolat is not what the doctor ordered. It isn't nice to see someone get a negative review but they do save us money at least :) Good work Jim.
I have reloaded my page a few times but it keeps telling me the same thing. A poor Hotel Chocolat chocolate? No Way!!!!!!!!
Don't worry Jim I wont have a go at you about not including the price lol :-) it must have slipped your mind again.
These cost £5 a bag as well. That is very expensive compared to what they are supposed to compete with.
How weird. It was only a few days ago that one of my friends was telling me how brilliant these marble things from Hotel Chocolat were. She said they were fruity though so I don't know if you are talking about the same things.
You got to be kidding me? I never thought Hotel Chocolat would make something as horrible sounding as these. I guess they all get it wrong sometimes, no one is invincible.
By Hotel Chocolat standards this is a right shocker. Im like Katie this is probably something I would of bought for someone as a small gift for their birthday. Its good you are here to educate us about our possible wrong doings.
@Richard five pounds is so expensive considering they aren't very good. I got annoyed the other day when I spent just one pound on one of the lindt bars and didn't really like it. It seems like such a waste of money.
The look very pretty but by the sounds of it just not worth the money! It isn't their first foray into these bags of chocs that havnt done very well, those funny Halloween Munchkin things scored poorly aswell I think? Maybe they should have made these bigger? Or just put the whole lot in a bar lol
I also think a box would look better, those bags look a bit cheap to me.
I think the glaze is a problem, the Galaxy Counters have a glaze which hinders the melt a bit, whereas I find it less of a problem on say the Cadbury Tasters.
I don't get any pleasure from seeing Hotel Chocolat score badly, but at least this will shut up those idiots who moan that you have some favouritism towards them.
Couldn't be more wrong.
I've never bought anything from Hotel Chocolat apart from their chocolate blocks. Little things like this just don't appeal to me as much. I don't see why you would fiddle around with these small things when you can get your teeth around the big boys.
They do look lovely I have to agree, I'd always wondered what they were like. I suppose it's best to leave that sort of thing to Galaxy Counters or Minstrels or whatever.
I am a little surprised to see that these bombed out so much. I think you may be inadvertently be judging HC by higher standards nowadays than you would of done previosuly. I think you rate smarties higher than you do these. That cant be right.
Is the world about to come to end with the downfall of Hotel Chocolat? lol I guess this does go to prove that no one is perfect.
I am going to have a look around now to see what other reviewers think of them.
They may not be the best chocolates ever but I do love the name gemstones. It makes them sound all magical and all.
I am shocked to see a bad Hotel Chocolat Product, these are one of the few new items i have not got around to trying.
Jim you have to try the new Summer Desserts and also the Cookie and Cream Slab = AMAZING! haha.
Also im loving their tasting club selection this month hehe.
Name and look get a thumbs up but after read what you have to say about the taste I think I might leave them alone. It is a shame really becuase these would have been good for gifting.
I hate reading your Hotel Chocolat reviews we get such a small selection on our site.
Part 1
David
It isn't the first time they have scored this lowly. I only rate what is put in front of me.
Rachel
If someone offered me a pack of Galaxy Counters or a pack of these I would choose the Counters myself. These are so none substantial they are frustrating.
Nick
Indeed - if we all agree on everyting life would be seriosuly boring. It is just a matter of horses for courses I guess.
Chris
I'm not bashing Hotel Chocolat at all. I just found a product of theirs that I didn't rate as highly as most their others. Apology accepted.
Daisy
As I said in the review the glaze made them look really nice but it seriosuly hampered their flavour development when being eaten.
Katie
I haven't tried the Peppermint puddles yet. I will make a point of asking my contact for some next time we speak.
Nigel
Well I don't writing negative reviews but like I said I have to tell it like it is I'm afraid. I am glad you trust my opinion so much but do remember I am only one bloke .... others may think different.
Anon
I think your page is loading up just fine :D
Richard
I never stick the price of samples I recieve up. Not unless I think there is an important reason to do so. Like you say I would agree £5 is expensive when you compare the similar options out there.
Diane
I think your friend may have been talking about another new product called the Blueberry and Apple Marbles. I will get a review up soon. Who knows she could of been talking about these.
Mark
Hey I think saying they were horrible is a gross over reation. They weren't as grand as normal Hotel chocolat products but they certainly weren't horrible.
Justin
Well hopefully I may have pointed you in the direction of a more suitable gift. As I keep saying remember that I am only one bloke. Others may think these are far better than I do.
Steven
Blimey if you get upset over £1 you are probably best off staying clear here.
Alan
You are right some of those munchkin products weren't quite up to scratch either. I think these would have been better if they were bigger for sure. In comparison to the Counters about five of these would make up one counter. I think it is just a case that they dont justify the price. Especially when there are so many other tasty Hotel Chocolat products.
Golden
Indeed I hope this is the case. There aren't many people that think that way I hope.
Anon
I'm not wrong .. my opinion is just different. You can never be wrong when giving a subjective opinion on something.
Matt
I see what you mean but seemingly you are missing out on Hotel Chocolate individual chocolates they make! Trust me ... that is a huge error.
Phil
This type of product always strikes me as being something the cheaper chocolates should be making. I think we are best off just stick to the Counters for the minute (I don't like Minstrels :D )
James
You might have some sort of case here. Having tasted so many amazing things from them I do sort of always expect the best. I still think that in the context of the rest of the market they were extremely disappointing.
Estelle
It is always good to see what others have to say about things. You are also correct in saying that no manufacture is perfect.
Serena
The name is cool, just a shame about the product I guess.
Matthew
All those reviews are upcoming chap. Good things come to those who waite :D
Ganesh
Don't worry in my opinion there are loads of other things that Hotel Chocolat do that are great for gifting. Just have a look through the archive chap.
Tom
Yeh it is a bummer you guys get a rough ride in the US. Maybe some day they will make the range a bit bigger across the pond. I hope so - it would be great if another British brand got established your side.
Thanks everyone - always good to hear your views on these products. I know Hotel Chocolat appreciate the feedback.
JIM
I'm afraid I have to disagree with you! I absolutely loved these. I loved the fusion of milk and white chocolate, and found them extremely moreish :)
Hey your more than welcome to disagree. I am glad you enjoyed them more than I did. This is what this site is all about after all. Always nice to hear from you! Thanks
Jim
I quite enjoyed these when I had them, but I must admit, I wouldn't bother again. They melted far too quickly and I would have to eat a lot to feel satisfied.
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