Bar of the Week: Amedei Porcelana

Region: Venezuela

Bean Type: Criollo

Cocoa Content: 70%

Widely considered to be the best chocolate in the world, Amedei's Porcelana is a fine example of how great dark chocolate should taste. When experienced each bite must be savored, for it is a true indulgence in the world of chocolate, though the price is much more agreeable when compared to a vintage bottle of wine. The name "porcelana" refers to the color of the cacao pod from which the beans are extracted. The outside of the pod is white, almost translucent, and is reminiscent of porcelain.

This delicate strain of cacao produces a beautifully mild, subtle, well-balanced chocolate. The next time you're in our shop, consider the Amedei Porcelana. It's an investment you won't regret!

Lillie Belle Truffles on Sale!

We have a surplus of truffles by Lillie Belle Farms and until July 31st we're providing them to you at the special price of $1.75 ($2.50 for the Almond Ginger Pears). Stop by and try them all while they last:

Raspberry Cordial

Lemon Coconut Buttercream

Marzipan Fig

Maker's Mark Cup

Pistachio Marzipan Cup

Black Pepper Ganache

Chipotle Ganache

Spearmint Ganache

Orange Ganache

Golden Ticket Contest

Congratulations to our Golden Ticket winners! Unfortunately all three of our tickets have been found or given away, but keep on the lookout for more great events and giveaways at Chocolopolis.

For those that were unable to stop by, on Friday Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Chocolates treated us to a special demonstration and tasting of his confections (all photos courtesy of Chris Blakely):

And on Saturday, Andrew from Claudio Corallo Chocolate stopped by to provide our customers with a tasting of Claudio's unique bars, which come from the tiny African islands of Sao Tome and Principe:

Customer Appreciation Night

We're having a party just for you! As a way of saying thanks for supporting our business we'd like to invite everyone to Chocolopolis this evening from 7 to 9 pm for snacks and chocolate treats. All purchases over $5 will receive a small gift and for every $10 spent you get an entry into our Golden Ticket raffle. The raffle drawing will be held at 5 pm on Saturday, July 18th, and the winner will receive a free bar of chocolate every week for a year. Entrants need not be present for the drawing to win so don't worry if you can't make it by this evening. We have more events to come on Friday and Saturday with tastings by Lillie Belle and Claudio Corallo.

Also, the awards for the 2009 Seattle Chocolate Salon have just been announced: http://www.tastetv.com/sf-seasalon_awards09.html

DRY Soda and Chocolate Pairing

Join us at Chocolopolis this evening from 6 to 8 pm for a chance to sample DRY soda, a delicious alternative to beer and wine. Each soda is lightly sweetened with cane sugar and flavored with fruit, flower or herbal extracts, and pairs perfectly with dark chocolate. DRY sodas are also available for purchase in our store in a selection that includes four refreshing flavors - Juniper Berry, Vanilla Bean, Lemongrass and Rhubarb.

If you can't make it by this evening we have more events coming every day this week, so stay tuned!

Bastille Day Events

It's our one-year anniversary and we're beginning the week with a celebration of France and its fine chocolate makers. On the hour today from 5 to 8 pm join us at our store for free guided tastings of chocolate from Michel Cluizel and Valrhona, and for a video documenting Cluizel's chocolate-making techniques. The video will be shown in English at 5:15 and 7:15 pm and in French at 6:15 pm. We will also be offering a 10% discount throughout the day on the purchase of any bars by Valrhona, Cluizel, Bonnat and Pralus.

Vive La France!

Closed for the 4th of July

Our store will be closed this Saturday for the 4th of July, but we will reopen on Sunday at 10 am. We will also be sampling out our bar of the week, Bonnat's 75% Madagascar, on Sunday from noon to 5 pm. Stop by and give it a try!

Also, check out our website for the list of store events in celebration of our one-year anniversary, beginning with the Seattle Chocolate Salon on July 12th: http://www.chocolopolis.com/

Have a great weekend!