Hot buttons, festive flakes…

In late October, Islands Chocolate, which makes some very good chocolate buttons and hot chocolate flakes/powder, launched a new range at Tesco with prices starting at £4.95. The tins are also supercute, and would make great presents. There’s milk-chocolate powder (also available in a mint version), which is a low percentage – I guess one has to appeal to the masses – with 31% cocoa, or the flakes (more recommended) at 43% cocoa content. There’s also a box of individual sachets of milk and dark (70%) flakes that are one serving size. For a box of 10, these are £12.50. If you go on the Islands website, however – and this is maybe for later – you can buy some rather nice chocolate and hazelnut spread (55% hazelnuts) for £8.95. Viz what I was talking about a couple of weeks ago, it’s not the best or the purest (it has emulsifier and something called candy syrup), but if you like your choconut spread very like *insert famous name here*, then this is really a much better alternative.

Heading to M&S – and who can resist doing so at Christmas? – look for their Chocolate Library: this consists of five chunky bars, from plain milk and dark to pretzel/caramel/seasalt and almond nougat; candy pieces with orange jellies and popping candy; and finally caramel, shortbread and chocolate crispies. That’s nearly 1kg of chocolate for £15 – and if you know someone who loves largely milk chocolate with bits in, this will be heaven for them.

Finally, don’t forget that no stocking is complete without a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. This year it’s not only the classic orange: you can also get mint, caramel and – this is new – solid milk chocolate pieces.