Chocolate is the new cheese
WHY POSH CHOCOLATE IS RECESSION PROOF
Now I feast on such piquant luxuries as fresh English mint ganache by Allsop available at my local market in Marlow, and bars of 70 per cent chocolate by Amadei. I scour food magazines such as Olive for the latest flavours (rose, for example, or Japanese black vinegar). I plan trips to London along my chocolate route, taking in Rococo in Marylebone, L’Artisan du Chocolat in Chelsea, and La Maison du Chocolat in Piccadilly.
What surprises me is that I am obviously not alone in my addiction. Despite the prices they charge, these shops are heaving. The luxury chocolate market seems not to have been affected by the recession at all. In fact, quite the reverse: this Easter, you can get an Amadei egg from William Curley filled with carmelised Piedmont hazelnuts, almonds or orangettes for £25. Selfridges has an egg containing a Gold Bullion Britannia coin for £1,000, billing it as “the ultimate alternative investment for chocoholics”.
