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Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???On one of my Hotel Chocolat posts a few weeks ago it was mentioned that I had reviewed over 80 ... yes 80 ... different Hotel Chocolat products. As amazing as that sounds, there is going to be little let up for the time being as it was only a few days ago that I received my latest lot of samples. In my latest package, these Hotel Chocolat House Praline were nestled in and amongst some of the more summery offerings (reviews coming soon!), and were described on the packaging as 'hazelnut praline in a milk chocolate shells'. In a way I thought this was a bit of a cheeky product to include in my latest selection, as these were nothing to do with the latest summer collection, but I bet HC knew they were almost guaranteed a positive write up. Hey, who am I to complain!? It wasn't as if they were wrong!
If you have read some of my previous Hotel Chocolat selection box posts you will have seen me review some very similar chocolates before, but these came in a 75.0g pack of six. I have commented before on my feelings towards this style of plastic film packaging so I will spare you all my long winded thoughts on that again - long story cut short I feel it does a job but I think there is room for the brand to progress beyond this simplistic design now. Eagle-eyed ChocolateMission readers will have noticed the British flag pattern work decorating the upper portion of each truffle. My best guess is that this was Hotel Chocolat's subtle way of supporting England's world cup bid!? Or perhaps even Andy Murray's attempt at a Wimbledon title this year ... by the time this review has been published I'm pretty sure both will be out of their respective competitions :D Regardless I thought the patriotism was a nice touch, and they further added interest to the already tempting looking dual layered outer shell and truffle centres.
As I said in my opening paragraph Hotel Chocolat must have been pretty damn confident about getting some positive PR from this review given that I have lauded over their praline chocolates on many a previous occasion. Although the wrapper stated that there was some dark chocolate constituents this was merely used to decorate the outer portion of each piece (the flag pattern!), so the main constituent was Hotel Chocolat's 40% milk chocolate. I needn't repeat myself for the hundredth (more accurately fiftieth) time but the milk chocolate was it's ever delightful self and fast established a creamy cocoa flavour base as it melted with it's divine smoothness. Sat below the shell of milk chocolate, the praline had a rougher, drier texture which was beneficial as it gave it a bit of differentiation in terms of feel from the outer chocolate. Fully in line with expectations the roasted woody flavours of the hazelnuts were delivered precisely, and the praline left a delicious set of flavours in the mouth for a long duration after. Being the ever so kind family man that I am, I shared these amongst my family to get some second, third and fourth opinions. Having witnessed the subsequent fight for the final two pieces I think it is pretty safe to conclude that these were loved by all - the arguing was so intense we had to bring split the remaining two in half to make sure we all got our fair share :D
Overall like we all knew they were going to be, these were wonderful! Like Hotel Chocolat probably were themselves, I was 99% confident I was going to love these before eating them - what with them being just milk chocolates with a praline filling it was hardly like there was ever going to be anything to dislike. What with the sheer amount of terrific Hotel Chocolat products I have tried over the past few years I constantly have to keep reminding myself how good these products are compared to the average market offering. To be honest even comparing these to other Hotel Chocolat products, I would have to say that they rank up there as one of my favourite chocolates that they make. If you are a fan of pralines like I know many of you are, then I can't recommend these chocolates enough. Whether you buy them as a gift or for your own consumption, the only advice I can give you is to buy a few more than you initially intend to - trust me it will save the sake of an argument if you have to share :D
8.8 out of 10
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29 comments:
I'm not surprised these scored well. I have had very few Hotel Chocolat things before but the pralines I got in the box of chocolate I did get were superb.
Why can't I see these on the website? You did enough to convince me that I needed to buy some lol (it wasn't hard), but these don't appear on Hotel Chocolat? Do you think they sold out or something?
My best guess is that this was Hotel Chocolat's subtle way of supporting England's world cup bid!? Or perhaps even Andy Murray's attempt at a Wimbledon title this year ... by the time this review has been published I'm pretty sure both will be out of their respective competitions :D
Lol you weren't wrong there.
the roasted woody flavours of the hazelnuts were delivered precisely, and the praline left a delicious set of flavours in the mouth for a long duration after
Sounds delicious.
It must be a bit weird and less exciting knowing you are going to like something before you review it. Do you get a bigger 'buzz' from trying something that you don't know about and really liking it?
Your reviews on hotel chocolate recently have almost been like you have been saying 'same old, same old'. Just my thoughts.
Lol they might have regret putting those flags on there now. I think all these manufacturers who went OTT with the England themed stuff are going to be left with loads of residuals now. It serves them right for taking such a big risk on our pants national team.
You are soooooooooooooooooooo right. Hotel Chocolat pralines are things of the gods. My favourite is the white praline slab because it has that special soft texture.
I got a mega praline craving now.
I see yet another one of their products packaged in just a plastic packet then. I still don't see how that gets them a eight out of ten in your presentation criteria. If it was any other brand I bet you wouldn't be so kind.
I have to agree that their praline chocs are pretty special. I personally prefer their praline stuff in their blocked chocolates but I'm always looking for them when we buy the occasional chocolate box.
Lol when we bought some of the filled chocolate eggs I made sure I sniffed out all the praline filled eggs before the rest of my family got them.
That bit about us being out the world cup and wimbledon made me laugh. Typical British sports people hey? The photo you took of these makes them look very glamorous. The chocolate looks really nice and thick mmmmmm.
Over 80 hotel chocolat products. Boy you be sick of their chocolate by now. That is more than the rest of us will eat in a lifetime.
A pack of six wouldn't last long with me I would likely eat them one after another. I don't know what it is about Hotel chocolat I think I might be addicted to their chocolate :)
Dx
Jim I have to thank you for your Eton mess recommendation. My girlfriend got me tickets to Wimbledon this week so I was in charge of building the picnic. She squealed with delight when I brought out the eton mess chocolates. Thanks buddy they were brilliant.
I was blissfully unaware that HC did loads more products in their stores than they show online. @Rachel I think these are one of the things that they only sell in the shops. Next time you go in one look out for them.
Since when have you been able to predict the future then Jimbo :) I see you got your world cup and wimbledon guesses right. I bet you wrote this yesterday or something ;)
I have to sort myself out and buy some Hotel Chocolate stuff. I'm not keen on the idea of post ordering any stuff at the minute. I don't want it getting melted in transit. Its just too hot at the minute.
Nice review Jim. I love it we are now back to Hotel Chocolat Mondays :-)What better way to start the week lol.
Hotel Chocolat must love sending you stuff because you never say anything bad about them. I think their chocolates are great aswell I'm not having a go at you lol. I had some of their ginger canapes the other night, I would really recommend them to dark chocolate connoisseurs.
No surprises here, eh? HC milk choc and praline is always going to be a winner. If I were going to buy something from them it'd have to be one of their more unique products though.
These do look extremely nice! I like the flag decoration, shame it wa abit of a wasted effort (along with all the other manufacturers who went abit overboard lol). At least here it's so subtle that they could stay on there and no one would really go 'ooh these must be football leftovers' lol.
I definitely think they need to make the packaging better. When I saw this I thought of those trays you get prepacked tomatoes in lol. these would look awesome in a box.
They should have probably left the British flags of these but then again we can all by wise with hindsight. I bought some of thier slated caramels in a pack similar looking to this one last week. They were phenomenal.
I have big time Hotel Chocolat jealousy Jim it's not fair. Fabulous review again.
My boyfriend isn't clever enough to buy me Hotel chocolate like Duncan is. I wish he would buck his ideas up and take onboard my not so subtle hints that I drop him. These looks gorgeous.
I've recently totally fallen in love with praline chocolates so would love to taste these.
I currently have a big box of guylian open at home. I happen to think they are the best quality pralines I have tried so far but I haven't experimented with that many yet.
Does anyone have any suggestions of ones that I can buy in the normal highstreet?
I'm glad you gave these you seal of approval Jim I bought something very similar for a friend a few weeks ago without ever having tried them myself. I just went by the basis that this is something that Hotel Chocolate would likely make really well. It seems like I was right :) Thanks for the review.
@Resph - Take a look at Jim's Thorntons Melts review. They were pralines I think? Supermarkets sell them.
Remind me why I look at this site please? Whenever I see these Hotel Choc review I just end up getting uber jealous of you Jim.
I wish they would send me chocolates to write about. Talk about having an easy job.
I actually like their simple packaging a lot better than the sophistication that other brands display. I like transparent plastic because it lets you see the chocolates and, at the same time, the HC branding is obvious. And the chocolates themselves are beautiful.
I may be wrong but I think the Union Jack is always on these chocolates. I bought some a couple of months ago and they had the flag on but there wasn't any significant sporting event on at the time.
PART 1
David
What one of their selections have you had before then chap? Was it one of their Sleeksters by anychance?
Vikki
There are a certain number of products that can only be bought in their own shops. That is why it is always worth paying them a visit when you can.
Katie
The whole British flag thing did backfire a bit didn't it. They were indeed very very nice. I would recommend them.
Nick
I guess in a way it is always a little more exciting trying something that I have no idea about. Still though I'm never going to be turning down anything from Hotel Chocolat - not when they are products of this quality anyway.
Estelle
Talking about manufacturers going over the top ... take a look at Mars and all their England branded Mars bars they have left. No one wants to touch them with a barge pole. Talk about shooting themselves in the foot.
Lauren
I really like the white praline slab aswell. I would highly recommend it to all praline fans.
Golden
You are talking about the filled eggs from the H-box right? They were pretty similar to these. I don't think I have actually come across a poor tasting HC praline product yet ... touch wood.
Alex
Tell me the chocolate don't look brilliant? I don't think the packaging is bad either ... it could just be better in my opinion.
Kim
Every single year we convince ourselves we are going to win wimbledon/world cup ... it never happens though :( Maybe next year haha.
Anon #1
You would have thought so but no way. I hope to review another 80 :D
Daisy
Put it this way they didn't last long in our house either. I think we could all claim to be addicted to Hotel Chocolat ... unfortunately I think it is more a case of us just liking it alot.
Duncan
No problem chap. It is easy to recommend things like the Eton Mess when they are that good. Out of interest was it the slabs or the individual chocolates.
Tracey
So was I until I went to one. If you guys/gals have never been to a hotel chocolat shop I would strongly suggest them paying a visit.
Nigel
It was hardly the boldest of predictions was it :D Murray hardly disgraced himself anyway ... not like out footballers.
I would worry about the weather being too hot. Hotel Chocolat package everything very carefully.
Golden
There are a few Hotel Chocolat Monday's to come in the near future so look out for them. Please remember to leave your thoughts.
Colin
It is rare they cop it on this site but I am always 100% honest about the products I review. They are just phenomenally consistent with their quality.
PART 2
Phil
I see what you mean. Some of their other things are so differentiated these do seem a bit ordinary. It's pretty mental saying that really - it's not as if a year or so ago we would have said that. The game has kinda changed hasn't it.
Alan
I didn't actually spot the flags until my old man pointed them out, it sort of washed over me a bit.
As I said to some of the others - its not half as bad as all the Mars bars that are knocking around at the moment. I can't imagine for a minute they are going to shift all those bars with the England wrappers. I wouldn't be seen dead buying one now they completely disgraced themselves. It's funny how these things can change in 90 minutes :D
Justin
I've been meaning to buy some of their salted caramels for weeks now. I need to get hold of some to review for the site.
Emma
Hotel Chocolat jealousy? You should avoid the site for the coming Mondays haha.
Lena
Maybe you should start making those subtle hints, blatant ones. Us blokes are a little dimwitted sometimes :D ... ok most the time.
Resph
I'm a big fan of Guylian pralines aswell.
Phil has suggested some really sensible Thorntons. Lindt also do some nice pralines in their selection boxes. Have you ever tried any giandujas?
Paul
You bought them for someone without trying them yourself!? Tut tut you had a great excuse for having to 'try before you buy'.
Buy some for yourself next time and let me know what you think.
Phil
Great suggestion chap.
Gamer
Hopefully you look at this site becuase you like reading my reviews :D I hope so.
Unfortunately this isn't my day job. I sure wish it was sometimes. One day eh? One day!
Ana
Yeh definitely I agree with you about being able to see the chocolates contained in the packaging but I still think there is room for improvement if I'm totally honest. I think a box with a transparent window would smarten these up nicely.
Thanks everyone - I hope you are all looking forward to some more summer themed Hotel Chocolat reviews starting next week. Galler I believe tomorrow.
JIM
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