Chocolate lovers hunting for a stocking filler with a difference may want to look to the volcanoes.
Firetree Chocolate, which makes single-estate, bean-to-bar chocolate from cocoa grown on remote volcanic land, has unveiled three new bars just in time for the festive season.
Dubbed ‘favourites with a twist’, each bar pairs the brand’s signature single-origin chocolate with one carefully selected ingredient.
READ MORE: Tesco reveals its top 10 toys for Christmas – and none cost more than £25
The range includes Espresso, a 70% dark chocolate blended with Papua New Guinea coffee, and Lava Salt, a 50% dark milk chocolate with a pinch of Icelandic lava salt to bring out its caramel notes.
The third, Cocoa Nibs, is a 74% dark chocolate studded with slow-roasted cocoa nibs for added crunch.
All three are 70g bars priced at £4.50 and are available from the Firetree website.
The brand takes its name from the cacao tree, which is known affectionately as the ‘firetree’ because of its flame-coloured pods.
According to Firetree, its cocoa is sourced directly from small farms where the nutrient-rich volcanic soil helps create complex flavours and a long, lingering finish.
Once harvested, the beans are fermented, sun-dried and then whole-roasted ‘low and slow’ to draw out their natural flavours.
Meanwhile, the brand’s best-selling Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal 100% Cocoa Bar has landed on Tesco shelves for Christmas, priced at £4.25 for 70g.
Despite being pure cocoa, Firetree says the long roasting process removes bitterness, leaving tasting notes of sticky date, mellow black tea and red fruit.
The same chocolate is also sold as thins (£15) and hot chocolate (£13.50) online.
Firetree products contain no additives or flavourings, and many in the range are naturally dairy-free, vegan-friendly and certified Kosher and Halal.
READ MORE: Fudge maker brings back Christmas pudding flavour – packed with brandy, stout and grated carrot
