Where to find Santander chocolate?

[maxmillan]

I believe this is chocolate from Columbia and I'm interested in trying it out in my baking. Has anyone seen this in the Lower Mainland?

[John DePaula]

Chocosphere

[Ling]

^#2 in Gourmet's taste test! I'm surprised that Michel Cluizel came dead last. I think their chocolate is excellent, though I haven't baked with it.

[maxmillan]

^#2 in Gourmet's taste test! I'm surprised that Michel Cluizel came dead last. I think their chocolate is excellent, though I haven't baked with it.

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The Gourmet taste test is what piqued my interest. I normally use Callebaut for baking (due to price point) but the Santander chocolate was rated above Callebaut and less expensivve.

I would still prefer to buy ingredients from a local store as I am not comfortable with purchases by mail. Has anyone seen these in the Lower Mainland?

[LordBalthazar]

^#2 in Gourmet's taste test! I'm surprised that Michel Cluizel came dead last. I think their chocolate is excellent, though I haven't baked with it.

←

The Gourmet taste test is what piqued my interest. I normally use Callebaut for baking (due to price point) but the Santander chocolate was rated above Callebaut and less expensivve.

I would still prefer to buy ingredients from a local store as I am not comfortable with purchases by mail. Has anyone seen these in the Lower Mainland?

←

I highly recommend Chocosphere. I placed a huge order from the other week and just received my chocolate haul the other day. I was so blown away by the Amedei Chuao bar that I immediately got back on the phone and cleaned them out of the 20 or so bars they had in stock.

[JasmineL]

I once bought an Amedei Chuao bar in Toronto on impulse. I didn't realize until I got home that it was about $13. I had a good laugh...but I enjoyed the bar.

Can you purchase Amedei in Vancouver?

[LordBalthazar]

I once bought an Amedei Chuao bar in Toronto on impulse. I didn't realize until I got home that it was about $13. I had a good laugh...but I enjoyed the bar.

Can you purchase Amedei in Vancouver?

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Unfortunately, no. I ordered mine from Chocosphere in Portland along with some Amedei Porcelana, and various Domori, Guido Gobino, and Parlus chocolates. As I said, after trying the Amedei's, I phoned in another order for the rest of their stock - and included some El Ray and Chocovic for good measure.

So, any other terrific chocolate you might recommend?

[merstar]

^#2 in Gourmet's taste test! I'm surprised that Michel Cluizel came dead last. I think their chocolate is excellent, though I haven't baked with it.

←

The Gourmet taste test is what piqued my interest. I normally use Callebaut for baking (due to price point) but the Santander chocolate was rated above Callebaut and less expensivve.

I would still prefer to buy ingredients from a local store as I am not comfortable with purchases by mail. Has anyone seen these in the Lower Mainland?

←

I just discovered Santander 70% a few months ago and it's great - I hope you try it. It's the only bittersweet chocolate I love eating out of hand (haven't baked with it yet, but I'm expecting great results). I'm not from your area, so I can't help you with sources, but I do highly recommend this chocolate. Here's a fantastic UK chocolate site with tons of chocolate reviews. Check out what they have to say about Santander 70%. (It's listed under "Santander - Dark Columbian").

http://www.seventypercent.com/chocop/

Edited March 15, 2006 by merstar (log)

[Lana]

For Santander try Dove Tale Collections It is a Canadian site.

[LordBalthazar]

If you're still looking, Meinhardt's on Granville now carries Santander along with Amedei, Michel Cluizel, and assorted other high-end chocolates.

[maxmillan]

If you're still looking, Meinhardt's on Granville now carries Santander along with Amedei, Michel Cluizel, and assorted other high-end chocolates.

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Woo hoo! Thanks for the tip.

[Memo]

I'm surprised that Michel Cluizel came dead last. I think their chocolate is excellent, though I haven't baked with it.

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Me either - I generally just paint my body with it - and let the puppies lick it off.

(I guess that's why I'm always in the doghouse!)

Edited June 5, 2006 by Memo (log)

[Ling]

Heads up--Meinhardt no longer carries Amedei.

I got 2 Santander bars today--the 70% and the 65%. I've only tried the 70% thus far, but I was not too impressed. It has an initial fake vanilla smell and taste (rather strong) that I associate with cheap candy, and it is rather chalky. The melt is not very smooth and there's no long finish. $6/100g bar.

Edited August 24, 2006 by Ling (log)