Photo of Annalisa Barbieri
Annalisa Barbieri

Annalisa is the Observer's Chocolate Correspondent. She started her journalistic career on the Observer Magazine in 1993. She has worked on national broadsheets ever since. She was the Independent’s fishing correspondent for many years and has been a columnist for the Guardian for the past two decades. She has a series of Podcasts called Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri, and lives in Suffolk.

Photo of Annalisa Barbieri

Annalisa Barbieri

Annalisa is the Observer's Chocolate Correspondent. She started her journalistic career on the Observer Magazine in 1993. She has worked on national broadsheets ever since. She was the Independent’s fishing correspondent for many years and has been a columnist for the Guardian for the past two decades. She has a series of Podcasts called Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri, and lives in Suffolk.

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Parting is such sweet sorrow

    After five wonderful cocoa-infused years, this will be my last Observer Chocolate column

    Sun, 1 Feb 2026

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Dark chocolate gems to swoon over

    Who needs marriage when you have really, really good chocolate?

    Tue, 27 Jan 2026

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Wonderful chocolate discoveries in Copenhagen

    Good things come in mini packages in a city known for its sophistication

    Sun, 18 Jan 2026

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Looking for a sweet little lift?

    Chocolate-coated coffee beans are sure to perk you up

    Sun, 11 Jan 2026

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    A shot in the dark

    100% cocoa chocolate with a dash of rum makes a great January treat

    Sun, 4 Jan 2026

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    The sweet taste of whimsy

    While old haunts evoke wistful cookie memories

    Sun, 28 Dec 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Hot buttons, festive flakes…

    And a couple of other useful Christmas gift suggestions

    Sun, 21 Dec 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    The comfort of new socks and old-fashioned chocs

    A visit to chilly Edinburgh leads to warming treats, and joyful nostalgia in an Italian deli

    Sun, 14 Dec 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Sweet somethings to spread the joy this season

    Special treats to seek out, because chocolate is always a welcome gift

    Tue, 2 Dec 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Look out Quality Street, there's a new tin on the block

    M&S has raised the bar with their Big Mix selection

    Sun, 30 Nov 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    A shingularly fine homage to Suffolk’s beaches

    Vegan, free of additives and packed with taste, Tosier’s Suffolk Shingle floats my boat

    Mon, 24 Nov 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Blissed-out cacao at Snape Maltings

    Mili Mendez has a passion for life, and chocolate

    Sun, 16 Nov 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Get yourself a ticket straight to choc heaven

    Always impressive, Bare Bones is raising its game to astonishing new heights

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Let them eat 80% cocoa

    A visit to the Marie Antoinette show at the V&A gives rise to thoughts of outrageous luxury

    Sun, 2 Nov 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Let’s hear it for properly chunky bars

    There’s a place for wafer-thin finesse, but sometimes you need something you can really sink your teeth into

    Sun, 26 Oct 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Fruit-flavoured choc is a matter of taste

    Freeze-dried raspberries in dark chocolate can be complete heaven. Or hell…

    Sun, 19 Oct 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Let your tastebuds travel round the world with these ingenious bars

    Phil Koury’s inspired idea is to celebrate a city a month in chocolate

    Sun, 12 Oct 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    An outstanding gianduia bar and, remarkably, it’s vegan

    But why does Aldi have to spell the word ‘gianduja’? It just isn’t the Italian way

    Sun, 5 Oct 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Isn’t it time you made your own giant chocolate boulder?

    Channel your inner confectionaire Zara Chocolates’ workshop in Bristol

    Sun, 28 Sept 2025

  • Annalisa Barbieri
    Noisy new bars to chomp around the fire pit

    There's something about chocolate under the stars…

    Sun, 21 Sept 2025

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