New luxury truffles from Northern Irish artisan chocolatier
Artisan chocolatier Cobden and Brown in Northern Ireland is to launch a range of gluten-free luxury truffles.
The small batch producer, which is based near Moira in county Armagh, is adding the truffles to its existing and successful range of premium chocolate bars which have won significant business in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the past seven years.
Chocolatier Caroline McArdle, who formed the business in 2011, has also won a string of UK Great Taste Awards for her handcrafted luxury bars. She recently launched a 60 percent dark chocolate with ginger.
She's already introduced truffles based on the flavours of some of her most successful bars. Others in the pipeline will feature ingredients from local artisan producers in Northern Ireland, she adds.
"We've some tremendous artisan producers across Northern Ireland with a broad range of quality foods such as oils, balsamic vinegars, Atlantic sea salt and beverages especially apple juices and ciders.
"I've already spoken to several who are keen to work with me in creating deliciously different flavours for the new truffles in the pipeline," continues Caroline.
"The luxury truffles make an idea gift and are perfect for tourist visitor centres in particular across Northern Ireland.
"I believe they will be especially appealing to tourists wishing to take home genuine flavours from Northern Ireland artisans. I love working with truffles because of the opportunity this provides to be creative in terms of shape and ingredients."
In addition to being gluten-free, Cobden and Brown chocolates are free from wheat and eggs. The company's dark chocolate is also dairy-free. Knowledge and experience gained is enabling Caroline to spot other opportunities for her expertise and knowledge in creating 'free from' chocolates, a developing market particularly in Britain, the US and Middle East. Cocoa for the chocolates is sourced directly from Ghana and Ecuador to ensure it is free from additives.
