Chocolate Cathedral

Here’s the story of some of the best chocolate makers in the world. Brands we bought in for Christmas and Valentines. At the moment, these products are stocked at the Southside store only. Treat yourself and loved ones to incredible.

The Italian Centre Shop has always been known for bringing in chocolates from all over the world, brands that rekindle childhood memories of growing up in Europe. Now, we’re upping our game, keeping up with the trends all over the world and setting them in Alberta. We’re focussing on bringing in top quality items, that may be hard to find, but are still easy on your pocket. Some products, well, okay they’re pricey: But oh so special, it’s worth it once in a while.

Chocolate and Love brand was started by husband and wife team Richard and Birgitte, who decided they wanted to eat mostly organic after the birth of their first child but couldn’t find good quality organic chocolate. So they decided to make their own. With a commitment to fair trade, 100% organic ingredients and affordability, in just four years they’ve created seven flavours that win awards and are now sold in over 35 countries. Produced in Switzerland with beans from the Dominican Republic, Peru & Panama and less sugar. Check out the flavours in the photo gallery and let us know what you think once you’ve tried them.

Another brand we love. Vosges. Founded by Chicago-based chocolatier Katrina Markoff who trained in France and Spain and the Far East. The Vosges concept is Travel the World Through Chocolate™, infusing premium cacao beans from across the globe with local indigenous spices, flowers, roots, herbs and liqueurs. The chocolate is an experience ‘that nurtures appreciation for the world’s diverse cultures’. Take a journey through the new classic in chocolate bars, with flavours like hickory smoked almonds & sea salt, or pomegranate and gogi.

Valrhona has been producing some of the world’s finest chocolate in the small village of Train L’Hermitage, France since 1922. Dedicated to creating artisan quality chocolate with complex, balanced and consistent flavours, Valrhona has a created a range of aromatic profiles by masterfully selecting beans from exceptional terroirs and using techniques to enhance their flavour. In order to learn more about cocoa, oversee its quality and guarantee its refinement Valrhona now owns and operates its own plantations in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. The company also operates two schools of chocolate for chefs.

The Cluizel family have been making award winning chocolates for three generations in Normandy, France, discovering remarkable terroirs, using expert craftmanship and creating innovative recipes. The trade mark philosophy is to use only Noble Ingredients, the finest cocoa butter extracted from fermenting and slow-roasting the beans, bourbon vanilla and natural flavourings. Cluizel has strong relationship with its growers which has led to single plantation bars from Mexico, Santo Domingo, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome & Madagascar.

Lastly, one of our favourite ranges, Amedei from Tuscany, Italy. Amedei is an artisan chocolate producer, considered to be one of the finest in the world. Products range from bars to truffles and pralines. Their award-winning chocolate bars use single-origin and single varietal cocao beans. The Porcelena bar, is known as the world’s most expensive chocolate, made from a white (porcelain-coloured) bean found only in Venezuela. Amedei’s owner Cecilia Tessieri is the world’s only female master chocolatier.