The most luscious chocolates you can't eat yet
Daniel Ing's extraordinary handmade chocolates.
Thomas Boulan, Photographer
Daniel Ing has been perfecting the chocolatier's art for some time now, as a passion more than as a hobby. He's close to getting a retail food license and has located both a commercial kitchen and several outlets for selling the chocolates. But he had better speed up this process, as demand is growing: each person that I've known who's tasted them has practically swooned over the candies.
I must be honest and confess that the words "vegan" and "raw" are normally terms that would make me think of tofu and other wretched ingredients not readily placed into my mouth. But these sinful little tidbits are simply the purest chocolate, heated only long enough for tempering, with nothing to interfere with your sensual experience. They literally melt over your tongue as you are transported into a reverie ... I exaggerate not, even though I am admittedly prone to both enthuse and effuse.
Daniel makes the beautiful molded treats shown above as well as small bars, and my only preference is simply that I not be deprived. I have personally enjoyed a significant share of chocolate in my lifetime, and I can assure you that these are uniquely sensuous. That those on special diets can also enjoy them is an added perk; but no one who is blessed with an opportunity to eat one will ever know there is anything "different." They will only know that they have reached Nirvana.
So unfortunately -- for now, anyway -- you can only look longingly at the photo of these incredibly luscious chocolates and wish they were available for everyone to enjoy. But trust me -- as soon as you can buy some, I'll be sure to share the good news!
Mary Bilyeu has won or placed in more than 60 cooking contests and writes about her adventures as she tries to win prizes, feeds hungry teenagers and other loved ones and generally just has fun in the kitchen. The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured next to the blog's title) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers as they cook along with her ... may you always be happy here. You can contact Mary at yentamary@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter (twitter.com/foodfloozie). And look for her new food blog: foodfloozie.blogspot.com.
Comments
Mary Bilyeu
Sun, Apr 25, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.
Hi, Kristina -- Daniel wrote this to me in response to your question: "No roasting takes place. Cacao powder is simply the cacao bean, that through a cold-pressing process, has had the fat (cacao butter) removed."
Kristina Birk
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 9:43 p.m.
Doesn't the roasting step of the chocolate manufacturing process prevent it from ever being considered a raw food?
Mary Bilyeu
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
I know -- it kinda wasn't fair of me to bring this up when not everyone can relish the experience! But the chocolates really are so spectacular that an enticing tease was warranted, with more information following as soon as I have it....
impsterboy
Tue, Apr 20, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
Sure, tempt us with this photo. As one who eats dark chocolate every single day, I will be sure to seek these out. I hope he chooses a catchy name for his product.