Love Chocolate
I was delighted to be invited to find out more about this exceptional, luxury chocolate manufacturing company. Established in 1990 by Constantinos’ father Stavros. Their story is almost as lovely as their chocolate tastes, omg! Constantinos made me very welcome as we talked about how it all started …
Worlds Best
Constantinos explained; “It was back in the mid eighties when his father Stavros went off to study Food Technology in Helsinki. Part of the course included a work experience placement, something within ‘food manufacturing’. It was just by chance that Stavros ended up at ‘Callebaut’ Chocolate factory in Belgium. Here he learnt from the best in the world, how to produce chocolate direct from the Cocoa Bean through to the chocolate bar. Three decades later their modest factory in Deryneia has a ‘fairy-tell’ story that’s not only naughty, but very nice!
Surprise
I delved a little deeper and Constantinos explained “quality Cocoa only really comes from two areas in the world, the South Americas and The Ivory Coast, the latter where they choose to import one of the finest cocoa beans in the world”. I said, “Strange how the Europeans make the best chocolate?” … He laughed and said; “Well the Europeans own all the trees!”, explaining, it all stems back to the 16th Century, when the Spanish, Dutch and English fleets went off claiming anything and everything of value, in fact, in those days cocoa was used as a currency.
Discovery
It was somewhere around 1502, when Christopher Columbus first brought Cocoa to Europe but Cocoa drinks actually date well back to 450 BC, apparently as an aphrodisiac! Ha! Maybe that’s why everyone loves chocolate? So, I just learnt why you get the best chocolate in Holland, Belgium, oh, and of course now Cyprus! … After his studies, Stavros worked for an offshore Lebanese Chocolate Company ‘Chantilly Chocolatier Lebanon’ for four more years, gaining extensive experience in the quality control side of making chocolate.
Presentation
Since joining the company, Constantinos, a music teacher, worked in Media in the capital before deciding whatever the crises, everyone still loves chocolate so decided to join dad and help take their production to a new level with their new project launching in October.
Chocolate
To make quality chocolate you have to grind quality beans first. To do this Choco King now use the latest technology from Dorina Chocolate in Finland. Their machinery bought from Scotland and Italy. Then at their little factory in Deryneia they produce equal to the worlds best chocolate, direct from the best cocoa bean, blended with finest cocoa butter, that btw comes from the same tree, into a perfect chocolate. Then they make it into chocolate bars, Bonbons or the infinite variety of chocolate and anything you can make with it, boasting over 200 different items. This process takes about two days and trust me, they do this with a amazing passion.
Perfection
Naturally over the past three decades Stavros has gained so much experience, he is now creating one of the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted. Just a little piece of his praline chocolate bar was enough, Mmm!, not too sweet or too bitter but just right. Constantinos explained. “When people told us to make it sweeter we said, ‘why should we change a good thing?”
Reputation
In fact their chocolate selection is so good they have built an excellent export business to the UK and Europe, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar and supply’s the finest hospitality in Cyprus including, Amara Hotel, 4 Seasons Hotel, Alexander The Great, The 3 Grecian Hotels, Nissi Beach and Nissi Blue Hotels and places like Sage Restaurant and Liquid Café in Ayia Napa, oh and even The Elysium in Paphos, to mention but a few … and many confectioners, patisseries, and Café who use their Chocolate Spread for sweets like crepes or pancakes.
The Tasting
Constantinos gave me a little gift to take home with me; a gorgeous presentation box with 6 Chocolate Bonbons of their Classic Collection called; ‘Art Meets Flavor’. I did a little live video as I opened them, the Salted Caramel Bonbon was just amazing and all I can say is they were soooo good, I’m restricted myself to just one each night, omg! just delicious!
Four Chocolates
Choco King only make four different chocolate; White, Milk, Dark and Diabetic, and very occasionally a fifth, between dark and milk. Then they make over 200 different products, including; Bonbons, Cakes, Sweets, Chocolate spread and their own chocolate bars. Their latest project is Luxury Chocolate Bars launching in February 2022, just in time for Valentines Day! …
Party Gifts
It’s a family business here with mum ‘Despo’ designing, making and creating all the celebration cakes for birthdays, Christenings and weddings, tbh this company really know how to present fine chocolate!
Shopping
Choco King are currently looking to open their first shop in Cyprus but meanwhile you can Shop on-line and they provide delivery all over Cyprus by courier service and don’t worry if the weather is hot they have exothermic bags and I-Gel packs to help keep your chocolate cool … Brilliant!
Chocolate Bombs
I love the variety of chocolates and in particular the presentation boxes which make for a lovely gift if you’re visiting a friend, and they accept all credit cards and PayPal … oh, and whatever you do, order a few Chocolate Bombs, they make an absolutely delicious hot chocolate drink! Mmm!
Celebrations
Specialising in creating beautiful chocolates for all special occasions, they get particularly busy around Valentines Day, Easter, Mothers Day and Christmas so you best get your orders in quickly … Here’s some really Special Treats
Viewing
Every Thursday Choco King have an open day where you can go an watch them making their chocolates and you can even take part … To arrange a visit speak with your travel agent or just give them a call … Check out their YouTube video here.
Open all year
Daily: 7 am ’til 6 pm
Directions
You’ll find them a tad off the beaten track at 90, Demokratias Street, Dherynia 5385 … click on the Google map icon below …
GPS: 35.062923, 33.950120
Where Art Meets Flavour!
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