On a slow news day, you’ll probably find some variation on the statistic that, depending on the source, 50-70% of women prefer chocolate to sex.
Well, in an informal study yesterday afternoon, I asked four women which they’d prefer. Three of the four chose chocolate. The fourth chose both.
Anyway, I digress. This post is about women who make great chocolate, right here in Vancouver. And, as a nice supplement to last week’s post, you might be surprised where chocolate lurks.
Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France
This shop opened up on a sleepy side street just off Main Street, in what used to be a chic, but overpriced, clothing boutique. The shop is simply decorated but oh-so-cute, with a chalkboard listing the daily offerings.
Truffles are sold by weight, and include tasty delights like orange blossom (delicate, floral and fragrant), Earl Grey tea (bursting with bergamot, aromatic and elegant) and coffee (deep, dark and earthy). There are also single-origin truffles from Venezuela and Madagascar.
These are serious truffles that don’t skimp on the chocolate. They’re dense and rich and almost impossibly smooth. Finished with a light dusting of Valrhona cocoa powder, they’re shockingly good – though I do think the Earl Grey truffle is the best of the bunch.
There are also small squares dotted with aromatic additions like lavender and chile flakes. The chocolatiere, Anne-Geneviève Poitras, has taken care to match each chocolate with an appropriate flavour. When you check out the case, notice that she’s paired heartier chocolates (darker percentage, anyway) with more robust flavours, and the lighter chocolates with more delicate flavours.
It’s a small detail, but one that I really appreciate.
Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France
198 East 21st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
604-566-1065
Bad Girl Chocolates
[Disclaimer! Disclosure! Kelly Boyd, the woman behind Bad Girl Chocolates, is a friend of mine. She also makes kick-ass chocolates, and I wouldn't be talking about her stuff if it wasn't good. So there.]
Bad Girl Chocolates has been a staple of the Vancouver Farmers Markets for a few years now, and I know that I look forward to Kelly’s booth. Is it the cheeky, 40s-style pin-up girls that adorn the packages? Is it the combination of traditional flavours (caramels, nuts) and wacky flavours (pomegranate, balsamic vinegar)? Is it the use of local ingredients wherever possible?
I guess it’s a bit of everything. Plus, I can have a chocolate while I fondle the produce at other booths. (I mean, really. Did you see the peaches this year, all fuzzy and yellow-orange pink? I dare you not to fondle a fresh peach. Or stick your nose into an ear of fresh picked corn. Seriously.)
Even better, a lot of the products are vegan. Bad Girl Chocolates are made with – gasp! – water, rather than cream, ganaches. I was a huge skeptic of this at first, but I’m a convert. The flavours are crisp and clean, and the chocolates taste just as rich as you’d expect. I won’t be making water ganaches myself, but I’ll definitely taste them.
Make sure to try the fun, seasonal products. Not only are they limited edition chocolates, they’re the best of the season’s bounty at its peak. I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the pear truffle: pear ganache with pear caramel. The mere thought of it makes my knees weak.
Bad Girl Chocolates doesn’t have a storefront, but you can order online here. They’re also available at most of the Winter Farmers Markets, though the final schedule still has to be posted. You can also check out Bad Girl Chocolates’ debut at this year’s Circle Craft Fair, November 11-15 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.