Valrhona Gran Couva Valrhona is a gourmet French chocolate company that has been producing fine chocolate since 1922. Their Gran Couva bar is made exclusively with cocoa from a plantation of the San Juan Estate in the Montserrat region of Trinidad. Their chocolate is available for purchase online. See related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad » Back to More than Chocolate » | Mackenzie Smith
ByIslands StaffFeb. 8, 2012
Trinidadian cacao is used to produce some of the best-tasting chocolate you can buy—it's revered by many as "the best chocolate in the world." For years finished Trinidadian chocolate was only available from European chocolatiers, but many local artisans are beginning to pick up the trade, and even sell their chocolate internationally.
Gina's Truffles Gina Sonia Hardy is a Singaporean by birth who fell in love with a man from Trinidad, and eventually made the shift from Barclay's accountant to Trinidadian chocolatier. A box of her handmade truffles were given to President Obama when he visited the island in 2009. See related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad "Back to More than Chocolate " | Jen JudgeGina's "Death by Chocolate" Gina's chocolates can be ordered online at Modern Equator or purchased locally at Malabar Gourmet Shop and Stechers in Trinidad. See related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad "Back to More than Chocolate " | Courtesy of Gina HardyCocobel Chocolates Cocobel chocolate is refined in small batches from cacao beans harvested from Rancho Quemado Estate in Southern Trinidad. This Valentine's Day, founder Isabel Brash is making hand-painted hollow chocolate hearts filled with almond dragées. See related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad "Back to More than Chocolate " | Courtesy Isabel Brash/Cocobel ChocolatesCocobel Brochure Founder Isabel Brash has been creating a range of chocolates since 2008, from chocolate bark sprinkled with toasted coconut and pineapple to soft-centered bonbons made with local fruits, nuts, and spices. Currently Cocobel is only available by advance order in Trinidad, with plans to ship pure chocolate bars in the future. For orders and inquiries: Cocobelchocolates@yahoo.comSee related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad "Back to More than Chocolate " **
** | Courtesy of Cocobel Chocolates/Isabel Brash
Exotic Caribbean Mountain Pride The Saunders began making traditional drinking chocolate, or cocoa tea, from the family's inherited cocoa estate in 2007. Their original drinking chocolate, which is infused with nutmeg, clove, bayleaf, and orange peel, is now available in most local supermarkets and souvenir shops in Trinidad, with a US distributor soon to come. For Valentine's Day owner Astrida Saunders has created a chocolate liqueur. astrida_saunders@yahoo.com; 868-795-5732; Facebook ****See related gallery Chocolate in Trinidad "**** ****Back to More than Chocolate "**** | Courtesy Astrida Saunders/Exotic Caribbean Mountain Pride
