Cocoa Hernando 70% Dark Chocolate Discs with Mandarin

Cocoa Hernando is a brilliant new chocolate company and the brainchild of traveller and entrepreneur Paul Tomlinson. Paul has grown a premium chocolate brand with some superlative products and a care and attention to detail rarely seen in the modern business world.  We recently had the chance to try some of Paul’s chocolate – and it was a real eye opener (and totally lovely!)

Can I say, before we talk chocolate, that the packaging is ‘premium’. The chocolate discs arrived (intact) in a strong, high quality textured box with a simple slip-sleeve with designer graphics on. What I’m saying is that if you can bear to not dive in and eat the contents – they make lovely gifts too …

I’ve heard many people say they are chocolate lovers, because they occasionally eat a bar of Dairy Milk or Bournville. But to appreciate ‘real’ chocolate, you need to experience some of the chocolate flavour combinations that Paul has developed courtesy of his palate, travels and experience. The chocolate discs (can I please call them ‘puddles’ as it sounds more indulgent than disc?) with mandarin are incredible with a dark overtone of rich dark chocolate and the fresh after taste of mandarin that lingers as the chocolate melts over your tongue. The mandarin doesn’t overpower the chocolate taste – it’s very subtle. Don’t scoff these … they are a palate teaser and a chocolate to be savoured with coffee (or liqueur) post-dessert at a posh dinner party. Alternatively your mum or bestie will thank you for a box delivered on their birthday. A brilliant product! Other chocolate products in Cocoa Hernando’s range include Milk Chocolate Discs with Masala Chai (India), Milk Chocolate Discs with Pink Diamond Salt (Himalaya), and 70% Dark Chocolate Discs with Raspberries (England). We sure do look forward to sampling these other flavour combinations (hint, hint!)