Chocolate Ecstasy Tours Adapts To London's Changing Chocolate Scene

The chocolate world of London is forever changing.  As well as reporting on the changes on her blog, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, Jennifer Earle, founder of Chocolate Ecstasy Tours, updates the tours to ensure they continue to include the best of chocolate in London and places that even locals may not have yet encountered. 

"I went on this tour with expectations of tasting some nice chocolate. Therefore, I was delighted to find the tour not only visited some fabulous chocolate shops with plenty of lovely samples, but also included a walk through some of the loveliest parts of London. Some real hidden gems were discovered."TRIPADVISOR REVIEW

Recently added to the Mayfair Chocolate Tour is Carpo, the "Nuts, Chocolate and Coffee specialists" that opened on Piccadilly in February; as well as the East India Company, whose bygone heritage fits perfectly with the traditional theme of this particular chocolate tour. Guests on this tour taste chocolate ranging from hot chocolate (as chocolate was only consumed around the world before 1847!), some of the royal family's favourite chocolates for more than 100 years, and modern ganaches made using traditional, hand-tempering methods. As well as these divine tastes, guests learn local history and about how chocolate arrived in this country and how it became what we consume today.

The Chelsea Chocolate Tour welcomes back Artisan du Chocolat's original store in Lower Sloane St.  Recently redecorated, the wallpaper in this boutique is a cocoa plantation of Colombia, helping guests to experience where chocolate begins. On this ultra-premium chocolate tour everyone learns the difference in quality between fine chocolate and confectionery and how each stage of the process can effect the flavour.  After sampling delicious truffles, caramels, pralines, macarons and sorbet made from the pulp of the cocoa fruit, the Chelsea Chocolate Tour also gives chocolate lovers the opportunity to try the cocoa bean in its raw form and to taste the difference between bars of different origin, but otherwise the exact same percentage of cocoa.

"We visited four amazing chocolate shops in Chelsea and Knightsbridge, were always offered plenty to try (ranging from plain and simple to weird and wonderful) and discounts in most of the shops. Our walking tour was punctuated by really interesting facts, stats and stories about that part of London from Jennifer who is a real font of information and enthusiasm. We absolutely loved it, and would highly recommend it!"

TRIPADVISOR REVIEW

Whilst there is an abundance of facts about chocolate and local history delivered on every Chocolate Ecstasy Tour, according to Jennifer the goal is ultimately to have fun and taste wonderful chocolate: "Hitting the balance of personalisation is important and there is no fixed script to these tours, just super-informed, enthusiastic guides." Most importantly, Jennifer promises that every guest leaves completely full of chocolate.  If not, the guide will get you more chocolate. How can anyone resist that? 

During Chocolate Week in October there are two additional Mayfair tours offered on Tuesday 15th and Friday 18th, both starting at 10am. The Mayfair tour is otherwise every Saturday at 10am and the Chelsea tour every Sunday at 11am plus some weekdays.  These tours and the Evening (once a month on a Thursday at 6pm) and Full Day tours can be arranged on request for private groups and gift certificates are available.  The perfect chocolate lover's treat!

For more information, images or press tickets to any of the chocolate tours please contact Jennifer via jennifer@chocolateecstasytours.com or on 07981809536. Tour dates can be viewed at www.chocolateecstasytours.com/calendar.