Chocolat Frey Review & Giveaway!

As I have been hinting to my readers and on Facebook, I was chosen for the opportunity to review some Swiss chocolate from Chocolat Frey.  I was very happy to be selected as some of my favorite memories of living in Germany was the easy access to rich Swiss chocolate.  Oh and exploring the castles.

Chocolat Frey was not a company that I was familiar with prior to this opportunity so I did some research. What really impressed me was that this is an well established company which was founded in 1837 by two brothers, Robert and Max Frey.  They are well known in Switzerland and in fact, are the most popular chocolate in that country.

All Chocolat Frey is manufactured in Switzerland which allows for very strict quality control.  It also allows for Chocolat Frey to be focused on sustainability.  They are UTZ certified which means all of the cocoa is farmed in sustainable manner. This is a huge win with me as I am very concerned with our footprint on this wonderful world that we live in.  To learn more about Chocolat Frey be sure to check out their Facebook page.  Be sure to like it so that you can keep up with all things Chocolat!

I am sure that you are curious about just what I thought about Chocolat Frey's products.  And I do want to get the disclaimer out of the way.  I did receive this product for free so that I would be able to give all my readers an informed opinion.  And receiving them for free in no way influences my opinion.

When the box first arrived, I knew that there was going to be NO way that I would be able to keep my husband out the chocolate so I opened up a bag of the minis for us to enjoy.  I have to admit that I wasn't really that impressed by them as they seem to be missing the richness that I equate with Swiss chocolate.

I did find out however after some experimentation that they are delicious in hot cocoa and what is better for this time of year?  Using the Swiss chocolate did add a touch of richness that was delightful.  I did cut the recipe in half because there are only two of us and it is rich.

Ultimate Hot Cocoa Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk
•   2 split vanilla bean (optional)
• 10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces
• Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. Heat milk to scalding in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, mint, or vanilla, if desired. Let steep 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; strain, and return to saucepan. Reheat milk; using a whisk, stir in chocolate until melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream garnished with chocolate shavings, if desired. 

Next up were the pralines and I do have to say that these were heavenly!  Even if this was the only product that Chocolat Frey produced, they would have a customer for life.  They were rich and had that extra special creaminess that I expect for a top shelf Swiss chocolate.  They were also a thing of beauty that I would be proud to serve my friends with a glass of wine.  Don't tell anyone but I plan on picking up a couple more boxes for gifts.

I have been saving the best for last.  And yes, something does top those delicious pralines.  Chocolat Frey's chocolate bars were a true eye opener.  Every one of them has hazelnuts!  A love of hazelnuts in my chocolate is something else that I brought back from Europe and one that I had given up everr being able to enjoy again.  My first taste of the Chocbloc Milk was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

These bars have the same richness and creaminess that I found in the pralines and the nuts elevate these bars to the best chocolate I have had in twenty years.  And the fact that I can now run by a store to purchase a bar when I am in the mood is almost too good to be true.  They are the perfect size to drop into my purse but not so small that I would feel deprived by sharing some of this wonder. And I will be sharing because my friends always thought that I was a snob telling them how much better the chocolate was in Europe.  Now I can easily prove that it is fact.

Look for these great new products coming to a store near you!  I will be sharing the locations as soon as I find where you can find them.  This chocolate is just too good not to share.

Now Easter is coming upon us rather quicky and Frey Chocolate does have some sweet hollow bunnies for the holiday.  They come both large and small, and are perfect for that basket you are planning.  Now I don't have kids but I did make up a few baskets that I am planning on donating to a local women's shelter since I doubt that the kids there will be getting much chocolate for the holiday.

Now onto what everyone has been waiting for!  This is a wonderful giveaway and will be repeated on twenty-five different blogs.  That's right.  You will have twenty-five opportunities to win a selection of this heavenly chocolate.  Just be sure to head down to the links after the giveaway to check out everyone that is running a contest. This contest is limited to 18 and over US ONLY!

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Sweetworks. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up