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Kcal 61 Fat 4.8g Carbs 3.9g (per truffle)The shopping days until Christmas are fast drawing in so and I'm sure there will be a number of you buying last minute chocolate gifts for this weekend. For those of you still mulling over the wide choice of chocolate products using my reviews, I thought I would confuse matters even more so for you by throwing in a brand that hasn't even featured on the site before. Indeed, making their ChocolateMission debut, I present you with Booja-Booja - a UK based chocolate manufacture from Norfolk. I don't know if these guys will be a company you have heard of before, but I was only introduced to the brand myself last week when a work colleague (and fellow chocolate addict) bought me a pack of these 'Around Midnight Espresso' truffles.
These truffles came in a 80.0g box and I was immediately impressed with the packaging. The round edged cardboard box gave the product an immediate premium feel with it's gold fonts and detailed on-pack information (award winning claims etc). Inside the truffles were protected by a dual layer of tissue paper and individual paper sleeves - for chocolates that were coated in a potentially messy layer of cocoa powder they were in immaculate condition. Taking care not to get this cocoa powder up my nose, I took a smell of the truffles and was met with some light but engaging cocoa scents.
I have passed mention already to the copious amount of blurb that was on the packaging but I have to say some of it was really quite intriguing. It just so happened that these truffles were 'dairy free, cholesterol free and gluten free' - those of you on restricted diets will really want to sit up and take notice! Looking at the ingredients these truffles were simple in their construct: 'cocoa, sugar, water, coffee, agave (???), coconut oil and cocoa powder'. They were simple in construct, and on the whole pretty simple in taste. Starting the experience off, the cocoa powder straight away established a pleasant mouth sensation and conjured an unsweetened earthy cocoa taste from out the outset. As the truffle melted away smoothly the taste developed a deeper, richer cocoa flavour base that marginally grew in volume during the progression from solid to liquid state. The coffee element was highly detectable by mid melt of the truffle, though was more of a dark, fruity black Americano rather than an intense raw coffee espresso shot. Two of these truffles at a time complimented a cup of actual coffee quite nicely, but I think a stronger coffee aftertaste would have given them a further richness.
Overall I would give my first experience with Booja-Booja a thumbs up, though they didn't quite manage to blow my socks off with these Around Midnight Espresso truffles. As I have stated quite clearly above the coffee flavour hit wasn't as intense as one might hope for with a product that comes billed as espresso strength. With that said the coffee element was certainly brought to the party and will most likely be well balanced for those who are a happy with a little less intense coffee buzz from their chocolate. Praise must also be awarded to Booja-Booja here for creating some truffles that satisfy many dietary guidelines that some people have to follow. I have tried a few awful gluten, dairy free products in my time, but these do a great job of setting the standard for other companies to live up to. I will certainly being trying more Booja-Booja in the near future - sorry if I have confused you late present buyers even more :D
8.1 out 10
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35 comments:
Yum these sound very nice. I always like seeing smaller producers from the UK do well on here. It gives me confidence that we still have some people producing high quality chocolate and not just having our big brands like cadburys being slowly ruined by overseas owners.
Rxxx
These look well fancy, I love the packaging it is is very unique looking. Im not a big fan of the coffee stuff like you know, but I would happily give anything else they make a try if this is an indication of the standards they make to.
Great review Jim it would have been nice to have seen these a bit earlier in the year though :P Lol Ive not heard of booja boojba before. You have any idea whereabouts they sell their chocs? They look worth an investigation.
I like reading they are gluten, dairy and cholesterol free' but most importantly are they nut free? If they are that would be so massive for me. I have been trying to find a high end chocolate manufacture that doesn't use nuts in their products for years. Its so hard experimenting with new things with my kids allergies.
These are interesting. I wouldn't have ever chosen their coffee chocolates as the first thing I would try from them though. I would have gone with something plainer and then built up to one of their flavoured things. That way you could have seen what their actual chocolate was like from the start. Lol oh well at least it gives you an excuse to buy more things from them lol.
Love the review mate. Is this the last one of the year? If it is I think you have ended it well be doing something completely new. I think we have seen enough hotel chocolat and cadbury chocolate for a life time recently ;) I always said that you should try review a wider variety of things. Someone has to unearth these gems for us you know ;P
Jim,
Since you said last night that this is your last review of the year mate I have to ask the only and only question I can ........
'How much did these cost'
:-) LMAO it is the only thing you don't say in the review. I think they look great. I would say worth about £5? Dont tell me its like £10 or something.
Ooooh these do look v yummy. Im loving the name of the company lol BOOJA BOOJA sounds uber funky.
Im not sure I would plump for espresso truffles if I had the choice of a wider range, but if they were given to me I wouldn't be doing any complaining. Great review Jim thanks so much.
The chocs look like they would melt so nicely by the looks of your pics. I bet they are gorgeous.
Happy Christmas Jim. I have to say it now because I'm travelling to my grandparents place tonight and they dont have the internet at the moment.
Thanks so much for all the chocolate reviews. You have got me hooked as a daily reader. Nice review today btw. I dont like coffee chocolates but even these truffles look nice lol. Cheers mate.
I present you with Booja-Booja - a UK based chocolate manufacture from Norfolk. I don't know if these guys will be a company you have heard of before, but I was only introduced to the brand myself last week when a work colleague (and fellow chocolate addict) bought me a pack of these 'Around Midnight Espresso' truffles.
Its good to hear that these people give something back to you. You always say how you share stuff with them.
I will certainly being trying more Booja-Booja in the near future - sorry if I have confused you late present buyers even more :D
B-B sound like they have tons of potential. Can I put a request in for more reviews from them please :P Im being nice to you today lol.
You just had to sneak one last one in to piss me off didn't you jim. Coffee coffee coffee you are obsessed man. I think if you tallied up all the different flavoured chocolates you tried this year, coffee would win by miles.
You just had to sneak one last one in to piss me off didn't you jim. Coffee coffee coffee you are obsessed man. I think if you tallied up all the different flavoured chocolates you tried this year, coffee would win by miles.
The way you describe the truffle melting sounds amazing, you have a way with words like no other reviewer you always get me feeling way to hungry lol.
If you review anything more from Booja please can you give their champagne version of these truffles a review. I love hotel chocolate champagne truffles so it would be good to see how they compare.
Top review jim. I think your best posts are the ones where you introduce us to something new. Lol its not like we all don't know what an aero or something tastes like. Seeing the weirder stuff is always more exciting I think.
What a mega cool name booja booja sounds very good and very funny if you say it fast lol.
I want you to add my name to the list of people that want you to review more by these people. They look like they have a load of potential. Thank you for showing us them.
Do they have a website? I just typed them in to google to see what else they make but it didn't come up with any official results. They were all blogs (lol including this one already). Help anyone?
How can you only eat two truffles at a time Jim? I admire your constraint. In our office yesterday our section of 8 people managed to eat a whole 1.2 kilo tin of Roses in under 8 minutes. Lol the only ones left were the rubbish strawberry ones after that. I would hate to think how quickly we would actually eat decent chocolates like these lol.
Ewwww they shouldn't have chosen coffee for you try. Lol I realise you got given them so it isnt your fault, but I would have liked to have seen you do a different flavour truffle from them. I love these companies who tell us they are 'award winning' but don't say what award they won. Lol it could just be one they gave themselves the cheeky people.
Dx
Jim please please please can you start doing some hot chocolate reviews. I have been drinking so much hot chocolate recently because of the cold weather. If you can review some of the hotel chocolat ones that would be amaze. I need to know if they are worth paying the extra money for :) Thanks for the reviews.
Lol just how many times is it that we are going to read that someone has made a coffee chocolate that isn't strong enough for you :P I think we need to find you some supercharged coffee chocolates for christmas Jim. I think if we all plump together we could get someone to make them for you lol.
These are some lovely looking truffles. I love the rustic way they present them, they make them look really authentic. Thanks for another brilliant review Jim. You are the maestro of chocolate :)
@Mark take a look on this page
http://www.boojabooja.com/products.html
It shows they have some well nice looking things. I would love to see some reviews of the ginger wine and hazelnut crunch truffles. Lol make it happen Jim.
Im not a fat of those paper wrappers but the truffles look pretty stunning.
I wouldn't risk giving them as a present to anyone without trying them for myself. I would have to sample some of their stuff before I gifted it to anyone .... for quality control purposes of course :P Lol I can't be seen to be giving away cheap presents now.
Finally you feature some real chocolates this week. Lol I was getting worried it was just going to be a week full of chocolates you didn't like after reading what you said in your comments yesterday. These Booja people are very talented by the looks of things. I would like to see more posts about them if you can make it happen.
God I would hate to have to think about any of those diet things you mention in here. It would be such a hassle having to check that everything you ate did'nt have gluten in. I used to have a friend that had to do that. They were so limited to what they could eat.
I've had the opportunity to try some of the Booja-Booja truffeles before. I don't think this particular variety was amongst them but I found them generally very pleasing. The ones with ginger I found particularly nice and flavoursome.
I don't think I would buy them for myself but would definitely consider them a very good gift for someone for whom "normal" chocolate is out of bounds due to dietry restrictions!
I have seen other bloggers talking about Booja Booja before and most have them have said nice things about them. They are the sort of people I would like to see you review more of in the new year if you can Jim. I think Golden_Touch said it perfectly when they said that the reviews of the smaller chocolate brands are the better ones.
These look fab loved the review Jim. What happened to your buyers guides though? They have died off :(
lol @avoiding chocolate powder up the nose, I guess one 'Le Whif' is enough :D My US relatives introduced me to 'agave' this year, it's some kind of cactus leaf honey popular with people who avoid refined sugar, it's not bad actually. These would be a good gift for my uncle, he's also gluten intolerant & regular chocolate makes him really sick (and his gluten free tasted disgusting). He also eats organic, so I can see these being really popular with him or people on similar health-conscious chocolate diets, if they're that good. They would even be safe from me because I've finally given up trying to befriend coffee lol!
Happy holidays all :)
PS Booja-booja - what a great name! :D
I have never heard of this company previously but love their name! This review certainly came out of left field and was unexpected. Thankfully I've done all my Christmas shopping and have sworn to not be tempted to buy more chocolate until the new year. Featuring these so close to Christmas is probably a good idea because with all the "free from" credentials it seems like the perfect treat for all those who go on a post Christmas diet. Though I'm sure people would be just as happy to eat them on Christmas day. Great photos again, the truffles look so delicate with the dusting of cocoa. Thanks for the review.
Hi All,
I hope everyone is getting excited. Christmas day isn't long away folks. After the last two days I'm glad I have got a review up on the site that appeals to you all more.
Rachel - Re: I always like seeing smaller producers from the UK do well on here.
You and me both. When you see what is happening to some companies it is good to see some smaller entities are still around.
David - Re: Packaging
It is very good isn't it. I think it nicely differentiates the brand from a lot the boxed chocolates in the market. It was a pain to photograph mind you :D
Nick - Re: You have any idea whereabouts they sell their chocs?
Best checking on their website to be honest chap. As you will have read I didn't even buy these myself.
Linda - Re: Nut Free
Unfortunately they had coconut in the ingrdients so I don't think you are in luck there. Sorry Linda I know it must be hard for you. Keep that chin up :D
ALL - Re: Trying More of their range
All of you requesting I try more of their range I have some good news. Booja Booja have been in contact today and they will be sending me some further samples of their range in the new year. This was no doubt thanks to the positive responses you guys left today. Well done, I hope you look forward to the reviews that will follow.
Peter / Richard - Re: Last Review of the Year ???
No not quite. There is a Buyers Guide being posted tomorrow.
Richard - Price
I love your constant referencing to pricing chap dont you worry :D Keep it up :D I unfortunately cant tell you the price of these because I didn't buy them myself (see opening para!). I will have a look online to see if I can find a price in a bit.
Kim / Lauren / Ria - Re: The name Booja Booja
It is great isn't it. Like you guys have said it is a good one to say, it rolls off the tongue nicely.
All - Re: Photographs
Again you guys are being way too kind to me here. Thanks again.
Duncan - Re: Christmas Wishes
Straight back at you chap. Thanks for the ongoing support and comments. I love hearing from you.
Katie - Re: Your Comment
Well it was about time you laid off the sarcasm :P More Booja Booja in the new year by the looks of things.
Mysterio - RE: Your Comment
Of stop it with the moaning. These were bought for me :D
Emma - Re: Your Comment
Thanks so much you have been way too kind to me there. I will definitely try review some of their champagne truffles if they are willing to send them.
Golden / Lucy - Re: Reviews of Smaller Brands
If this is a common thing that people think I will be sure to review more brands like this in the new year. Im currently preparing a survey for you guys to complete which will help me determine this.
Andrew - Re: Roses tin in 8 minutes?
You guys were timing yourselves? Haha that sounds like a productive day of gluttony :D
Daisy - RE: Your Comment
Don't worry there are more reivews from Booja Booja coming very soon. The breadth of what I look at will go beyond coffee I'm pretty sure :D
Kels - Re: Hot Chocolate
Don't worry these reviews are on the radar! I will make sure they are one of my top priorities in the new year.
Paul - Re: Supercharged Coffee Chocolates
Yes please Paul :D That would officially make you the best readers ever haha.
Sam - Re: Maestro of Chocolate
I'm not sure if that is something to be proud of but I will gladly hold the title :D
Jane - Re: Your Comment
Indeed, quality control of course :D Why not give them a try and let me know what you think of them.
Anon - Re: Diet restriction
Indeed it is sad when people can't just eat what they want. I guess it is just one of those things that they have to get used to. It can't be easy though can it.
Anne - Re: Your Comment
I'm glad to hear that you experiences with Booja Booja have been similarly pleasant. I look forward to trying this ginger ones now you have given them the big up :D
Ben - Re: Buyers Guide
The last edition is being published tomorrow chap.
Thea - Re: Your Comment
It really does sound terrible having to abide by some of these dietary restrictions. I think it would be terrible finding/seeing things everyday that you couldn't eat just because they have one ingrdient in. A lot of people are showing love for the name today arent they :D That is always a good start haha :D
Phew. Thanks again for leaving your thoughts/comments again today everyone. It does help the site out when you do so, today being a fine example!
Buyers Guide Part #3 (subtitled PANIC BUYS) is up on the site tomorrow :D I hope you enjoy it.
JIM
Sounds interesting! I've heard of Booja-booja before but never thought to try them. If I recall correctly, they were a little pricey (don't quote me on that though!)
It will be interesting to see what their other products are like.
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