Tag Archives: chocolate

Gem Chocolates

I’m not so much of a chocolate fan. I don’t hate it, but I could live without it. However, with Sheepie who’s become a hard-core hobby-chocolatier, I’ve slowly grown to know more about the difference in tastes. We have gone to several chocolate stores, but I must say, that I actually like Gem Chocolates the most.

It’s a very small shop in Kerrisdale with 4-5 chairs at the counter by the window. The wall is blue, the room is sparse in terms of decor, but there are many selections of chocolates available. The price per chocolate wasn’t listed, but Sheepie got 7 pieces, and came just over $12. I ordered 2 pieces with a small tea latte which came out to be $6.30 (including tax).
When I used to buy Lindt chocolate, I thought they were really expensive…now after going to check out Thomas Haas, Chocolate Arts and Koko Monk, it seems like we’re slowly getting used to getting charged more than $1 per piece. Of course, Lindt is manufactured by the millions, while these local chocolatiers make it by hand.

Glenn Knowles – owner and chocolatier

Look at all those selections!

So pretty!!!

Sheepie bought a lot Truly gems!

Glenn Knowles is the owner and chocolatier. Sheepie kept talking to him, not surprisingly (as many chocolatier seems to be), Glenn knows German so they were chatting away in German. Glenn had just been experimenting some new flavours and gave some to us (we came with a group of 5 ppl). The first one was caramel. We tried guessing what the fruit flavour was, and many of us thought it was apple, but it was passion fruit. It was very good. When he knew I was Japanese, he told me he had just gotten some shiso (perilla – herbal leaf) mixed in with chocolate. I’ve had shiso in sushi, salads and pickled vegetables, but would have never expected to go well with chocolate. But surprisingly, it was really good! I hope next time I go back, he’ll have it as an actual chocolate!

I just love how pretty they all look!! From patterns from transfer sheets, to marble looking colours, or sprinkles. Very simple, but cute and designy. For those who are gluten-sensitive, these chocolates are for you! They are gluten-free and made with organic, fair trade chocolates.

Glenn is very friendly, and I love his chocolates! I must go back to try more

2nd Time

I did end up going back again, and this time, I tried the two front and far right chocolate in the above photo. The famous Berry Blue (the cube with blue transfer sheet patterns on it) tasted a bit alchololic, but none-the-less, ‘berry’ good. Rich in flavour. I love~

The new Shiso chocolate that he was experimenting the last time we were there had been made (far top right), and Glenn told me that he left the actual leaves inside so that flavour was much richer. Indeed. I tried one and I was very impressed. Very unique and tasteful. I wish I could get my parents to try it.

The Caramel Creme (blue dome) had the caramel ooze out as soon as as I bit into it. Mmmm….so fun to taste all the flavours!

Easter Special

For Easter, I tried his Coconut gelato. OMG! SOOOoooooo good! And I was expecting a small single scoop like many other gelato places, but it was huge! I shared it with Sheepie. My friend also got it and he loved it as well. The best coconut gelato around. I must go back for more…Of course, being Easter and a creator of IdeaRabbit, how can I not try the bunny decorated chocolate? So cute!!

Taste: Price for Value:

Atmosphere: Service:
Location:

Koko Monk

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I happen to come across their site when I was looking for a chocolate cafe for a friend who was becoming a hobbyist chocolatier. I suggested that we go and check out the place, so we did.

It’s a really small cafe, kind of hidden amongst the other retail and businesses next door. From the outside, I would have thought it was a inexpensive hair salon – perhaps the previous business was…There were no other customers, though a mother and daughters group came in when we were about to leave for drinks.

There are only two tables to sit at, and not a whole selection of chocolates to choose from compared to other chocolate cafes like Thomas Haas or Chocolate Arts. We both gagged when we were told that each piece was $2.50!! Holy, this is the most expensive chocolate that we have seen so far! Even Thomas Haas was nowhere near that price! It seemed even more expensive since my friend had been making and experimenting with chocolate, and because he buys in bulk. Plus, we don’t pay for his labour LOL,

After a while, the chocolatier came into the cafe and was working in the back. I liked how he named his chocolates, like ‘Jade Box’ for Japanese Matcha Tea, or their signature ‘Blue Moon’ with blue cheese and chocolate. The staff gave both of us a very small piece of the Blue Moon. I’m not a fan of blue cheese, so I can’t say I liked it, but somehow, the blue cheese and chocolate complimented each other. I guess if you like both, it must be a heaven treat.

We bought 4 pieces – Jade Box, Musee L’Amour, Match Maker, and Sultry Drift Fresh Vanilla Bean Caramel = $10. It came in a nice golden box with a label with their logo…the branding needs some work…it just does not scream high-end chocolates are being sold here.

Anyways…the tasting…
Jade Box (Matcha): I love the green colour! So beautiful! However, the taste is lacking. If you didn’t tell me that it was matcha, I would have said it’s just chocolate. It was so faint I was disappointed. It didn’t taste like authentic matcha either.
Sultry Drift (Fresh Vanilla Bean Caramel): was interesting texture. Very bumpy and crystalized texture on the outside, while really liquidy in the inside. The mix of vanilla bean and caramel was nice.
Match Maker (chilli and cinnamon): I couldn’t really taste the cinnamon in it…the spice came a bit after the chocolate melted in your mouth. It’s an interesting experience for your mouth, but I don’t think I would buy it to ‘enjoy’ eating the chocolate.
Musee L’Amour (Pistachio and Almond Paste) I’m allergic to nuts, so I didn’t try this one.

All in all, unfortunately, it was a disappointment for both of us. The chocolates were too expensive and didn’t become fans of the flavours. I do admire the creative naming and colours of the chocolates. I also appreciate the fact that he is trying out new unusual flavours which I have not seen anywhere else. However, I must say that I do like my friend’s chocolate more than Koko Monk. Perhaps one day he will open up his own chocolate business – everyone around him keeps telling him to, so why not? And I can only guess who will be the first to review them …and design the brand too? LOL

Taste: Price for Value:

Atmosphere: Service:
Location:

Charlie’s Chocolate Factory