&f=Calibri-Bold&ts=14&tc=d4d4cc&it=gif&c=round&bgt=gradient&bgc=ad6807&ebgc=d98807&be=on&w=125&h=30){kind=small}
Kcal ??? Fat ??? Fat(sats) ??? Carbs ???
Get out the tissues, today we have ourselves our last Hotel Chocolat review from their Summer 2011 collection. Luckily for you guys I have saved one of my favourites until last. From the off it was all to obvious that this Go Bananas slab had all the makings of a Hotel Chocolat classic and it certainly had my banana loving Mother excited at the prospect of trying it. The descriptor of 'milk chocolate and banana flavoured white chocolate' left little to the imagination and certainly didn't temper our sky high expectations.
You may have seen that Hotel Chocolat have treated me recently to some of their 500.0g slabs. This 'Go Bananas' offering came in the smaller 200.0g size, though it still came across as just visually impressive with some grand design work with it's swirled chocolate and yellow covered splodges. Again I had minor issues with the practicality of the breaking up of the slab, and it's non-fresh sealed paper based material, but hey, who am I kidding the chocolate lasted less that 48 hours once opened anyway.
So with it's milk and white chocolate split was this a story of two halves? Well no not really .... both were incredibly tasty :D You will see by my photo above that it was the 40.0% house milk that made up the slight 60:40 majority at least visually. This was perhaps slightly misleading as the yellow squiggles where also white chocolate so carried the banana flavouring across both chocolate types. In terms of taste and texture this slab was just fantastic, and exhibited some amazing real tasting fruity flavours within it's always delightful thick melt. The milk chocolate had a more cocoa focused flavour base versus the creamier, vanilla noted white. What was consistent across both chocolate types were the incredible banana flavours which were created by the small specs of dried banana and the flavourings present in the white chocolate. For a fruit flavoured chocolate it was surprisingly satisfying - that's not to say it didn't disappear in double quick time.
Overall Hotel Chocolat have managed to sign off the summer season with one of their best efforts with this 'Go Bananas' slab more than meeting expectations. Compared to some of the other offerings I've reviewed over the past few months this was one of the simpler in terms of proposition (See Cherry Pop HERE). I think it was this simplicity of just being banana flavoured milk and white chocolate that bore dividends - this wasn't one of those chocolates that needed the full bells and whistles. As I said above, both chocolate types were as tasty as each other, though I can see white chocolate fans really taking to the white with the dried banana crisps just that little bit more prevalent. It seems ridiculous I bother adding a recommendation sentence in here ... what the heck :D ... highly recommended with two thumbs up for you banana fans.
8.7 out of 10
Posts
68 comments:
If i've missed the boat on this one im going to be so so annoyed with myself.
I wasn't under the impression it was just around for the summer.
It took you a fair while but at least you got around to it eventually lol.
Ive been awaiting your verdict on this new one for weeks now. I was pretty sure that HC were going to do it justice but I just wanted to see your ruling on it first to make doubly sure. Thanks for the review.
This sounds fab though they could have put some banana coins or banana chips in there to make it look even more authentic.
Soz but i just dont get the fuss surrounding hotel chocolat chocolate st all. Ive had a few of their chocoles and they have been nice and everything, I just dont think they were worth me spending as much money for them as i did. I know this sounds terrible but I would just as happily buy something else like dairy milk or galaxy and they are just a fraction of the price. I think im just less fussy.
Eww cringe. Bananas are my most hated fruit ever. At my infant school they used to make us eat a banana and carton of milk during our morning breaks. Having that everyday would make anyone grow to hate them I think. Lol not even hotel chocolat can save me from that.
And so it continues ........ Jims Chocolate Mission ..... sponsored by Hotel Chocolat.
At least we know we have these guys to fall back to if thorntons really is in as much trouble as the weekend papers said they are. All that thorntons stuff really made for scary reading when you read the full details. They made a profit loss despite selling more chocolate. That just doesn't make much sense to me. Im not a businnessmen by any stretch of the imagination but that must be more management
This was in the 50% off section a few days ago :( Doh I knew I should have taken them up on that. The only reason I didn't was cause you hadn't done a post on it yet so I assumed it couldn't be that good.
From what you say this is so good it makes you wonder why they haven't bothered making a banana chocolate before. This was obviously tres amaze, im noting it down as another choc I need to be buying from these lovely people.
x
x
HC are just imperious. Every kind of flavour variation they try and attempt they pull off. Im yet to be disappointed by anything ive bought from them. I couldnt say that about a lot of other companies.
So much for budgeting my spend this month. Lol I promised myself I would cut my internet spending but this site is just too much of a bad influence on me lol. I think you should understand you do this to a lot of people Jim you meanie :P
Either im being blind or I think HC have sold out of this slab now. Thats so disappointing if they have it sounds like it was one of their best ones this summer.
Banana is not a thing I want to see in my chocolate thank you very much. On my cereal maybe, but certainly not in chocolate.
Jim you HAVE to review these horiff eyes. No excuses.
http://www.hotelchocolat.co.uk/Horrif-Eyes-P111142/
I genuinely cant remember the last time I saw you write a hotel chocolat review and not end up 'recommending' it at the end. Im not knocking you saying that, more hailing hotel chocolat for consistently dishing up quality.
If you people are wondering why I know Jim isn't lieing its because I know where he really works :)
im not the biggest fan of hotel chocolat but I do appreciate their fruit flavoured chocolates. I do admit some of the ones ive had from them before (im thinking the eton mess truffles here) have been a cut above any others I have ever tried. This make me think its highly believeable that this is something pretty special.
Banana wouldn't ever be the first flavour I would go for but its one that I wouldn't mind having if it was in a selection box or a mini slab collection. A slab that big would just be excessive for me.
Your coverage of all the summer chocolates this year was awesome Jim nice one.
... ... now make sure you do the same for halloween and xmas for us please. Lol we dont ask much from you do we lol.
How mental was that cricket yesertday Jim.
lol only we brits could play a sport for 9 hours and still manage to make it a draw.
The second this one falls into the sales im going to be all over it. At the moment its just a wee bit pricey for me.
Now what would have been cool is if they had done a combined 'nut mania' + 'go bananas' fusion. That would just have been the business ;)
They should do chocolate coated banana coins.
Hey J
Not many of my predictions came off did they lol. Its lucky im not a gambler I would be shirtless by now I think.
Football - man u won but liverpool lost
Tennis - murray lost
Cricket - half right
Rugby - I got right ...........lol just.
Im afraid this isn't a chocolate that intrests me at all. Im not a great lover of fruit if im honest. There are a million and one other sorts of flavours I would rather have before venturing to any place like this. A chocolate with nuts in is ten times more appealing to me for starters.
Cheers
N
I never understand why people want to mix fruit and choc. They are polar opposites on the food spectrum it just seems a ickle bit silly.
You know what this needs don't you!?!?
Banana foam sweets ftw!!
This one looks boooootiful =) fabulous photos once again J
Dx
Ooooh I spy some of their halloween chocs up already!
Have you seen them jim? What will you be reviewing out of all of them? I have a request list longer than my arm I can send over lol.
I liked this but I had it down more as a solid 7 than a higher 8. Its was great and all it was just that I thought they could have put something else in there alongside the banana. Some of their caramle puddles on top would have been just perfect.
Before people say anything I know this is me being fussy to the max lol. Im like that though ;)
Aww I was hoping that competition you mentioned at the wk end was going to start today :-( Bring it on Jim.
p.s. please don't just run it on twitter because I dont use it.
Im a smart cookie and bought this ages and ages ago already. =) 100% with you btw. Its the ive bought from HC in a long time.
Give it a break with the hotel chocolate recommendations Jimbo. Lol not only can I not keep up with everything but I simply dont have the money to afford them all. These slabs are expensive for us peasants who dont get them free you know.
mmmmm frijj banana shake and HC chocolate would be so good.
Speaking of Frijj Jim have you seen all the new wacky flavours they have? They have sticky toffee and all sorts - snack of the week contender perhaps?
You just sorted out my mums bday present quandry Jim. She loves bananas and hc chocolate so this will be spot on for her. This and a bunch of flowers on the day has me sorted. Thank you.
Im used to seeing these chocolate companies making other sweet foods but HC look like they are doing the exact opposite.
Have you guys seen the vinegars, meat glazes etc its crazy, i never knew cocoa could be just a dexturable ingridient. I wouldn't have a clue what to do with them if I got them. Chocolate pasta is the one that gets me the most, it sounds gross
@David Whats this all about it being sold out? That doesn't mean its never coming back is it? Tell me this wasn't a limited edition, ya gonna spoil my day if you do because I wont be able to buy it until I get paid in a few weeks =[
I swear you are getting near the end of chocolates you can review from HC now. You reviewed so many there aren't any I see on their website that I don't tink you have done. Lol they must love you with all the good press you send their way.
Yay we finally have it. I might just 'go bananas' LOL ;) Brilliant review Jim im with you on this one entirely. I got this as part of the summer collection box and I had to hide it before any other sneaky bugger laid hands on it. I think its one of my all time chocolates ive ever tasted, I hold it in that higher regard. I would endorse your recommendation but I dont want anyone else buying it lol. Mwah haha I want it all to myself.
Rxxx
I knew you were going to rate this one big. I know you love the banoffee caramel truffles they make so it was nevver going to be like this wasn't going to get the JCM seal of approval aswell. The lack of any real banana on it though is something I find a little surprising. Thats not like HC.
What a weekend of sports hey Jim? Lol even Arsenal won so I could enjoy it for once.
Well im pleased to see you haven't been influenced by those idiots complaining about you giving high marks out to these guys all the time.
What those people never realise is that it looks so ridiculous them complaining about the high scores because no one else is coming on and saying the opposite. If there were then them getting consistently high would be more suspect but no one ever seems to complain about their chocolate like they do other ones.
If this is sold out I would suggest this thorntons as a credible alternative banana chocolate http://www.thorntons.co.uk/p/Chocolate%20Collections_Chocolate%20Blocks/3621.html
Im sure its probably not as good as the hotel chocolat stuff but i liked it.
Thanks -- JK
I was holding out for the review of this one but its all systems go now :) Was it the best one you had all summer Jim? The score suggests not but it looks like it was close at least.
Hotel Chocolat reviews never get old :) Is it sad that I actually feel happy when I realise its a monday so we get a review of theirs?
I do need to get out more I know :P Keep up the great work Jim.
uh oh this isn't showing up on their site anymore :( :( :( pls pls pls dont tell me its already been and gone.
Was there any real fruit in this one or was the banana effect totally made out of flavourings? I much prefer the more natural approach to create the effect. If its just flavouring I get the impression that any old chocolate maker could just buy up a batch of it and stick it in their produce. At least if its natural there is some effort on the part of the producer to source the ingrdients etc.
Why banana? There are so many other fruits they could have done that would have ten times more exciting. Mango would have been a good one to pair with their white choc. They could even have gone for the classic mango and passionfruit if they wanted to go ultra fancy lol.
Is anyone here a tasting club member? Would you say it was worth it? Im thinking of buying a few months for my wife for her birthday.
Any advice would be brilliant.
Andy
I tried this months ago now. You need to be quicker off the mark Jim hurry up boy.
Great post mate. Bananas arent my kinda thing so i wont be having it anytime soon, still its nice to know HC are keeping their quality high.
When I see chocolates like this it just further confirms that my dream job in life is to be a chocolate tasting expert for hotel chocolat lol.
In a way that is sort of what you are jim. Do you get paid for doing this?
Heres a news story for you Jim
http://www.fdin.org.uk/2011/09/k-shocolat-unveils-new-range-of-premium-confectionary/
That new range could be interesting.
Thanks for sharing this Hotel Chocolat review. Maybe I should consider buying this chocolate.
Sorry for lack of comprehension skills this morning, but it contains real bits of banana throughout, and then there is a bit of flavoring in the white chocolate only?
and I'd like to see you try the chocolate pasta :D
Hi All
We may all be back at work/school etc but hey ... at least we have Hotel Chocolat Monday eh!? :D :D The going sentiment continues to be pretty positive for these weekly Hotel Chocolat appearance, if I have the wrong end of the stick with that conclusion you guys should start letting me know :D
So the Hotel Chocolat summer reviews are indeed over but at least they ended on a high note with this banana slab :D I do believe this is a flavour they created just for Summer but I'm not getting why some of you are complaining you can't buy it!? I looked this morning and it was still there on the website being sold under the 'Giant Slabs' part. I suggest taking another look.
Apologies to anyone saying it took me too long to review this one. Something had to come last didn't it! Next time I will be more sensible with the review line up and try and do a better job of the prioritisation.
MUMMYBEAR - Love the name :D Love the idea of banana chips and HC chocolate. Please make sure you return.
BEN - More like ... so it continues BEN the commenter complaining :D
JUSTIN - It's a sad state of affairs isn't it.
ANON - Despite me not liking Halloween I will be doing my best to cover off all the new chocolates they have this year.
JOE - It was a good cricket match wasn't it. The draw was the fair result I thought.
DUNCAN - Another cracking idea.
NIGEL - Haha you are about as accurate as I am chap don't worry. I'm really looking forward to the Djokovic vs Nadal final tonight. I think its got potential to be a right cracker.
GAMER - I couldn't disagree more :D haha God I hate those things. Them and foam shrimps were my most hated sweets as a kid.
EMILY - I've seen them don't you worry :D I'm well of top of it all ... so I say :D
TINA - Don't worry it's coming on Wednesday. Hopefully you guys will engage with it as much as you the ones on Twitter.
VICTOR - I've seen the new frijj flavours but not tried any of them. It's not the sort of thing I drink that often to be honest with you. Let me see what I can do.
OLLIE - You sound like the model son :D Well done.
ERIC - They aren't sold out at all, check the website.
KELLY - I believe the banana effect was created through a mixture of both real and artifical banana flavourings.
ANDY - I'm not a member myself but I hear great things about it from people that are. Unfortunately with all the other chocolates I have to try on a daily basis a membership to me would be useless.
HARRY - Thanks I will add that to the page later in the week.
RODZILLA - Throughout both chocolate types! I have a pack of the chocolate pasta sat on my Kitchen surface :D I'm running out of credible reasons why I should continue to ignore it haha :D
Thanks for the feedback everyone :D Much appreciated as usual. Onwards and upwards with the week :D
JIM
Oh, this looks good.
They should have put mini spurts of caramel chocolate in the mix so you get the banoffee effect. lmao look at me complaining, Im sure this tastes amazing.
For some reason or other I had it in my head that you didn't like bananas jim. What rating did your mum give this one btw? No doubt higher than you did right?
What I don't get about all this is how you can have one company like Hotel Chcolat doing so well, and then on the other hand you can have somone like Thorntons completely falling on it's behind.
The only thing it can be is the quality of what they produce. I can't see another reason why one should be doing so much better than the other
Im licking my lips at your photo there J. That swirly thing they do with the milk and white chocs always makes them look so smart doesn't it.
Claire thats not strictly true. Jim once did a review of this banoffee slab http://www.chocolatemission.net/2010/05/may-31st-hotel-chocolat-banoffee.html
That one also got a very high mark.
Is there any sort of flavouring this people cant do? I love the way Hotel Chocolate dont over complicate things and just keep it all very simple.
Excellent post Jim. Its always gr8 seeing the new slabs they have out. HC introduce them at a good rate I think. They don't over do it with the new flavours so its hard to keep up. I just hope this one stays around for a few more weeks until my birthday.
I will admit im normally just an hc bargain hunter (just buy in their sales lol) but Im very tempted to just pay full whack on this. I do love bananas so this is a bit of a dream choc for me. I know I really shouldn't but im tempted just to treat myself this once.
Have you ever had a cadburys perky-nana? That was my favourite bar growing up in SA. It would be great to see a jim special on it. Thats if they still make it of course lol.
The timing of this review is awful for me lol I just got paid so Im in a position where I could 'afford' a little shopping spree on HC. Lol if my partner finds out he will kill me. He wasn't to pleased last time I spent an 'extortinate' amount on chocolate. Lol hes a typical man, he doesn't understand a womans choccie needs.
I put your recommendation of the salted caramels to good use Jim. Omg you were so right, they were so good I ended up eating most of them in one greedy movie night, they had that big time pringle crisp effect.
This was the best fruit chocolate ive ever had. I include the famous eton mess in all of that btw.
This slab looks gold. Nicely photographed again Jim ;) You never let us down with the food porn pics.
Post a Comment