Friars Blog

18/01/2022
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History of Valentine’s and Chocolate | Friars

In the modern era of confectionery, there seems to be no more obvious an association with an occasion, than that of Valentine’s day with an accompaniment of chocolate, and usually flowers and cards. We don’t currently sell flowers or specialise in cards so our interest is predominantly the giving of chocolates, (we sell those in abundance) in a romantic gesture on the day Valentine’s is celebrated, February 14th. How did this association begin and develop? It seems natural that chocolates, often given as a gift of affection should readily fall... Read More

12/01/2022
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10 Unusual Chocolate Flavours You Should Try | Friars

We stock a wide and comprehensive catalogue of chocolates and flavours at Friars. Here, we look at 10 Unusual chocolate flavours we think you really ought to try. Sometimes change and diversity is good for the soul as well as the palate, but don’t just take our word for it jump in and have a try for yourself. 1. Friars Florentine Chocolate To start you off, what about these wonderfully crunchy bite size offerings? Slivered Almonds with Pistachios and caramel topping a half dipped smooth Hazelnut praline chocolate. Crazily good,... Read More

05/01/2022

More Chocolate, Less Packaging | Friars

More chocolate and less packaging! Theres a good idea and what a thought. Well, you enjoy looking at the package but the ultimate pleasure is, as with pudding, in the eating. After all is said and done that packaging is destined for once place, and one place only, the bin. But wait, what if we could do something about that? Yes ultimately it will still be disposed of. But what if that disposal didn’t need to leave a ‘scar’ on the environment? This could really be a worthwhile achievement. The... Read More

08/12/2021
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Award Winning Vegan Chocolate | Friars

Vegan Chocolate is becoming increasingly popular amongst all types of chocolate connoisseurs, so one can imagine how, “Award Winning Vegan Chocolate”, can really capture the imagination.Whatever ones preconceived perceptions around the Vegan aspect of food or as in this case confectionery, the test is to take the plunge and decide for yourself just how good these products are. Particularly here, where treating your taste-buds would become a most special occasion by having them experience justifiably acclaimed, award winning vegan chocolates from our Kakoa range. Kakoa Vegan Chocolates Don’t just take... Read More

30/11/2021
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How Are Reduced Sugar Chocolates Made? | Friars

How are reduced sugar chocolates made in these health conscious times?In easy terms reduced sugar chocolates are produced with a reduction of the sugar content. This is a popular trend with many people, and indeed PHE (Public Health England) have set out guidelines for reduction of sugars in foodstuffs. Individuals are also becoming increasingly health conscious and whilst sugar is present in many natural forms, it is when used as an additional ingredient that it can become a cause of concern to consumers.PHE have set out their voluntary guidelines for... Read More

20/11/2021
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What is bloomed chocolate? | Friars

So, is Bloomed Chocolate a flowery confection with delightful scents and petal formations? Not quite. Simply put, “Bloomed” is the term given to describe chocolate that has undergone a change in one of two respects, giving the chocolate a whitish / grey appearance on its surface.The two types of change we’re looking at are Fat Bloom, caused not unsurprisingly by changes to the fats in the chocolate and Sugar Bloom, again not unsurprisingly caused by changes to the sugar content becoming subject to moisture and crystallising on the chocolates surface.... Read More

14/11/2021
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Why Do We Have Advent Calendars? | Friars

Why do we have Advent calendars? Well, simply put, in these modern times we have them to count down the days until Christmas day. Pretty much as those days would have been counted down in the 1800s. They are a great way to involve younger members of the family in the joys and anticipation of the coming of Christmas. A daily build up until the excitement peaks on Christmas Eve! Or perhaps like some families, well ours really, (big kids that we are), you refer to “Christmas Eve eve in... Read More

07/11/2021
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How Vegan Milk Chocolate Is Made | Friars

So how is vegan milk chocolate made? Well I suppose a good starting point is to define vegan in the context of chocolate making. Here’s the good news. In its raw form chocolate is, yes you guessed it, vegan! What makes this a fact is that chocolate is derived from the cacao bean, the fruit of the cacao tree and thus it is indeed inherently plant based. Therefore, in its unadulterated form the cacao bean begins the process resulting in the creation of the delight we all know as chocolate.... Read More

18/10/2021

British Chocolatier | Friars

So firstly we might like to know, just what is a ‘British Chocolatier’. Some might be conjuring an image of a swashbuckling gentleman wearing a large plumed hat with breeches, boots and wielding a rapier style sword. That is of course a somewhat different matter and refers to a ‘French Musketeer’. A light hearted play on the teer/tier aspect then but designed only to draw attention to the fact that both Chocolatier and Musketeer are derived from the French. As is often the case the language seems to imply something... Read More

13/10/2021

Where Does Chocolate Come From? | Friars Chocolate

We all love the stuff; but where does chocolate come from, what is its history and where did it all start. Well, it has its beginnings set in Mesoamerica, (Middle America) stretching back to 450 BC when the people of that time enjoyed fermented beverages made from chocolate. We can imagine even now how those ancient civilisations would settle back for a luxurious bowl of chocolate before retiring for the night. It is perhaps not surprising that the Aztecs believed that cacao (cocoa) seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the... Read More