At hampers.com, we are proud to support British producers and suppliers. In this short series, we are showcasing some of our key producers – supporting local companies and minimising our carbon footprint, by purchasing from within the UK.
This time, we are introducing some of our artisan chocolate producers based across England, with wonderful stories to tell.
Choc Affair
"Creating handmade divine chocolate treats"
Chocolate is something of a guilty pleasure for many of us… but with Choc Affair, there is no need to feel bad. This ethical company has created a delicious range of handcrafted chocolates, using only natural ingredients including sustainably grown cocoa from Columbia, which is free from palm oil.
Choc Affair are passionate about delicious chocolate. The company originally made only hot chocolate stirrers, using dairy alternatives, including soya milk, dark chocolate, and raw sugar after the founder, Linda Barrie, found it difficult to find treats for her daughters, who are intolerant to milk. They now also produce gorgeous and indulgent products, ranging from bars to chocolate buttons.
This family-run business believes in a sense of ownership of their locality and is proud to be based in York, a city with a renowned heritage. All of their chocolate is produced and hand packaged here, as well as sold in their shop.
Chococo
“uncompromisingly delicious”
From northern England, we now travel to the very south coast…where you can find our pioneering chocolate supplier, Chococo, on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. They were one of the first UK artisan chocolatiers to pioneer making truly fresh chocolates. They use locally sourced seasonal ingredients, including local fresh cream, and blend these with fine-origin chocolate. They create delicious chocolates, as well as gelato!
Set up by husband and wife team, Andy and Claire Burnet, back in 2002, they completely changed direction from formerly working in marketing and finance roles in London. Starting in a small high street shop, they have expanded significantly and now have both a large warehouse and several ‘Chocolate Houses’. Chococo sources use only fine single-origin chocolate made with fine cocoa, pure cocoa butter and cane sugar. They use beans grown in Colombia, Ecuador, Madagascar, Venezuela, Tanzania and Uganda – offering a wide range of flavours in the single origin range.
Chococo also takes their responsibility for sustainability and protecting the planet seriously. 100% of their packaging is plastic-free and is either recyclable or compostable. They support Project Seagrass, Ocean Giants Programme and Orangutan SOS (The Sumatra Orangutan Society).
Monty Bojangles
“famous for our curiously moreish award-winning cocoa-dusted truffles.”
And finally….to our capital city…where we find the wonderfully named Monty Bojangles, based in London. They offer the most sensational double-dusted truffles, with exquisite bitter-sweet cocoa powder. The truffle centres and casings come in a wide variety of exciting and invigorating flavours…even popping candy!
Back in 2008, Monty Bojangles was named after the founder’s cat. Andrew Newlands, Founder and MD, wanted to create a memorable brand and design is what sets Monty Bojangles apart, as well as the finest, most delicious and 100% natural ingredients that are used. Their boxes feature wondrous creatures, vivid colours and are really vibrant.
Monty Bojangles has won an array of awards both for business and their delicious truffles, including a total of 48 Great Taste Awards and the highly prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2018 and King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2023.
In addition, and as with all of our suppliers that share our sustainability values, Monty Bojangles is committed to reducing and where possible completely removing plastic packaging in their products. They also use 100% renewable energy to power the head office. Any palm oil that is necessary to use in their truffles is Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified, and they also work closely with the Rainforest Alliance, who work to achieve better livelihoods for farmers and their workers.
The Cambridge Confectionary Company
“ just delightfully indulgent chocolate that’s as tasty as it looks and never skimps on the good stuff!”
Now we head east to the beautiful city of Cambridge…The Cambridge Confectionary Company describe themselves as “the younger, chocolatey sibling” of family-owned fudge manufacturer, Calico Cottage UK. …which we love the sound of!
With 30 years of fudge-making behind them, they use their extensive experience of making great confectionery to inspire amazing chocolates. Their products are all made on-site in Cambridge by a team of talented chocolatiers, Only the highest standards are acceptable as they strive to make really luxury treats.
The Cambridge Confectionary Company are committed to choosing sustainable options and the ethical sourcing of all of their ingredients. They aim to empower communities that grow their ingredients, supporting programmes such as Cocoa Horizons; as well as being a member of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, and only using segregated certified palm oil. They also choose environmentally responsible alternative packaging solutions wherever possible.
What we love most is that they have such a wide variety of delicious products to offer – from bars to buttons, to boxes, in so many different flavours, with ingredients nestled in the chocolate itself.
Cheered up by all this talk of chocolate?
We hope we have your tastebuds tantalized...now, go and check out our chocolate hampers, including those with cocoa's perfect partner – Champagne or Prosecco – as well as other British culinary delights.
Explore our dedicated category:
We also have seasonal Easter hampers to explore:
Enjoy free UK delivery when you spend over £50 and ensure the chocoholic in your life gets the chance to taste these handcrafted, British-made delights included in our hampers.
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