New Arrival!

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Bittersweet Danville now carries chocolate bars from Patric Chocolate in Columbia, MO, in 67%, 70%, and 75% varietals. These AMAZING bars have no emulsifiers or vanilla in their recipes-- only cocoa beans, sugar, and cocoa butter-- which means there is nothing hindering your full chocolate experience. Every single nuance, aroma, flavor profile, and characteristic of these bars comes straight from the bean itself; a result of the careful fermentation and fastidious craftsmanship of Alan McClure, the mastermind behind this spectacular company.

Each bar is made from the same beans grown in the Sambirano Valley in Madagascar. This line of bars makes for a great tasting; come on in and try them side-by-side to experience how this extraordinary chocolate maker can develop varying flavors from the same bean!

(image courtesy of Patric Chocolate)

White Chocolate Dream?

We, here at Bittersweet Danville, get a lot of people in asking what is a White Chocolate Dream? Other than a wonderful sleepy time experience, it is a wonderful, creamy white chocolate hot chocolate.

Since we make all our own mixes here at Bittersweet Cafe, we know exactly what goes into our drinks. We don't use powders or pumps, we use real honest to god, chocolate. The White Chocolate Dream is made from milk, white chocolate, and dulce de leche, which adds a nice caramel flavor. We even make our own dulce de leche from scratch. It spends hours on the stove becoming a wonderful creamy caramel. We use the dulce de leche with our pudding as well, also made in house. The last ingredient is cardamon. A little spice to add some depth of flavor.

The White Chocolate Dream is sweet and creamy and really good over ice. One of the favorite ways to order the drink is with a shot of espresso. What a great way to start the day.

Chocolate Bar Pick of the Month!

I am going to go a little lighter for my chocolate bar pick for this month. Another of my favorites is from the French Chocolatier, Michel Cluizel, and his plantation Vila Gracinda bar from the island of Sao Tome in central Africa.

This 65% single origin dark bar is as smooth as you can get. Like most of Cluizel's chocolates, it is conched (ground) to a very fine nib that just melts in your mouth. This one lingers with hints of licorice, wood, and ripe tropical fruit, especially banana. This really is a great bar to savor and let sit on your tongue while you experience all the flavors.

If you are looking for chocolate to bake with all of the cluizel bars are a good choice. They can handle the heat a little more than some of the others, before burning and the quality is there to make your desserts special.

Come in and taste the Michel Cluizel "Vila Gracinda" 65% dar bar. I know you'll enjoy the experience.

Bake Something New for Easter!

Not only do we have baking chocolate/buttons at a very good price for very good chocolate, (what Pastry Chef's use, I should know) but you can pick up a recipe to try something new. When you come into Bittersweet Cafe to pick up baking chocolate, there is a small box sitting nearby that contains some really good recipes and we are adding more all the time.

These are recipes I have used in my professional life as a Pastry Chef and are easy and quite good. We have Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse, Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars, Chocolate Pots de Creme, and really good Vegan Chocolate Cake that is so moist and yummy. These are just a few of the recipes we have on hand. And I don't want to forget the Mounds Bar, which makes a Mounds Bar, exactly like the ones you buy in the store, only the chocolate is better.

So, when you are ready to try something new or just don't know what to make, come check out our recipes and baking chocolate. You won't be disappointed.

(P.S. I put in my Mom's Brownie Sheetcake that is remarkably similar to our own Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Cake. A blast from the past.)

Easter Has Arrived!

It's that time of year again; the time to decorate an Easter egg and bite the ear off a chocolate bunny, all while spending time with your family and enjoying the beginning of spring. What better place to do this then at Bittersweet Cafe, where we have an assortment of delightful chocolates and gifts to celebrate this time of year.

Whether you want a classic chocolate bunny, chocolate covered vanilla bunny cookies, the ever popular krispy pop or a beautifully decorated box of truffles; you can be sure that all your Easter needs will be fulfilled!

We are prepared for Spring as well, with a watering can filled with treats and gifts for the gardener in your life.

Hop on down to Bittersweet to find the very best in goodies for your basket.

New Vosges Organics!

Welcome to another gorgeous week in Rockridge. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and spring is in the air. Speaking of Spring with the newness all around, we have a couple of new chocolate bars from Vosges Haut Chocolat.

Habana - a 45% deep Organic Milk Chocolate bar with Ecuadorian Plantain Chips. Delicious... reminds me of potato chips dipped in chocolate, but so much better and more flavorful.

Peanut Butter Bonbon- a 45% deep Organic Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter and Salt. A very tasty bar it just melts in your mouth. It is based on their very popular Peanut Butter Bon Bons. Careful you might eat it all in one sitting.

So stop on by while your out enjoying the beautiful weather.