Last-minute Gift Ideas on FOX25

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Here was a FOX25 feature where we were listed by by Daily Grommet as a great last-minute gift idea. With the New Year approaching- start it off right by giving someone special one of our handmade chocolates or confections.

Last-minute shopping: Holiday grommets: MyFoxBOSTON.com

Video Feature on Daily Grommet

The EHChocolatier kitchen was visited by Daily Grommet, an online marketplace and the birthplace of Citizen Commerce, a movement that gives people the information and tools to support products that align with their own values. Here is the video that is featured on their website: dailygrommet.com

Daily Grommet

A few weeks back, Daily Grommet, came to visit us in the kitchen to film a video about us and what we do in preparation for our product launch on November 7.  It's very interesting to watch the process of creating a "documentary" type film while you're in it.  Things that we take for granted at this point seem magical and mesmerizing to others.  Jesse, the videographer, who clearly has done this many times was great in giving us direction.  Catharine and I tried to gracefully juggle clever conversation (well, it seemed clever at the time) and instruction while making bourbon caramel and dipping chocolates.  All while attached to each other and the camera with mike wires.  Luckily, no equipment ended up in our chocolate.  Promise.


Daily Grommet is a new company with a mission to find unique products and share their stories through video, blog, and an active community discussion. I'm particularly proud of our Daily Grommet appearance. To be a Grommet is quite an honor, over 1000 products are submitted each month for 20 very special spots.  Each day, DG features one of these products starting at Noon for <24 hours during which you can chat with the product owners.  That would be us.


I hope you’ll take a moment to stop by DailyGrommet.com when our product is being featured.  It would be wonderful to hear your thoughts, reflections, and feedback about our product and to add them to the conversation – it’s easy to leave a comment in the “Talk about this Grommet” section.  And if you want to make sure you don’t miss our feature, just sign up for the daily email from Daily Grommet.

Inspired by leftovers

Not infrequently, our ideas for new products come about when we have a lot of something else left over.  When we make our pecan clusters, we have these little bits of the maple syrup roasted pecans left at the bottom of the tray which we can’t use for our clusters.  And to make sure we don't end up eating them all, we had to work on turning them into something.  

Once we stick it through the food processer, it’s like a pecan butter or a pecan praline.  Not the New Orleans praline, but like the hazelnut praline we make for our bonbon.  A little melted milk chocolate to hold its form and we’re off and running.  

The dome we use was inspired by Easter this past season.  We wanted to invoke a nostalgic “Peep”.  As you can see, it was a little freaky.  After multiple attempts, we decided to go with our current version - kind of like the abstract “peep”.   


We put the two together ("You've got pecan butter on my chocolate!" "You've got chocolate on my pecan butter!) and there we have our Maple Pecan Butter Domes.


The series of photos below outline the process - it's pretty cool when we flip them out at the end.

Cottonball clean!

 

Airbrush colored cocoa butter 

Set in Cooling cabinet

Check the temper
 

Fill the mold

Tap out the bubbles

Flip and swirl to empty excess 

Wait til just setting and then...

Scrape - shells ready to fill

Fill with Maple Pecan Butter

Bottom and Flip out 

Child's Play

I spent most of my afternoon today sitting in front of my computer doing all those extra things related to our business that are not related to making chocolate.  Not surprisingly, at times, this takes up more time than it does to actually make the chocolate. Thankfully, I only have to look across the kitchen to be inspired by my 9 year old daughter and her good friend, composing cupcake masterpieces.

The Hippest Chocolate on the Block: Hippity Hop

EASTER COLLECTION

Hippity Hop into Easter with EHChocolatier's special collection of artisan-handcrafted bonbons. This 10 piece collection is packaged in our signature black box with an antique letterpress wrap printed up just for the occasion.

Bourbon Caramel - Two petite molded rabbits in dark chocolate filled with our classic Knob Creek Bourbon Caramel

Mango Lime - A taste of the tropics with a juicy mango ganache infused with lime

Maple Pecan Butter - Rich pecan butter and milk chocolate gianduja

Varietal 67% Dark - A single plantation dark chocolate with flavors of ripe tropical fruits and licorice

Anise and Honey - A dark chocolate ganache infused with subtle licorice tones of anise and a touch of clove honey

Peppermint Pattie - A refreshing two layer filling of a peppermint "pattie" and dark chocolate ganache

Orange Zest - Bits of crystallized orange zest inside a varietal dark chocolate ganache

S’mores - A graham cracker “crust” topped with roasted homemade vanilla marshmallow dipped in dark chocolate

Coconut - A classic confection with a delightful nostalgic chewy texture

If you'd like to have your chocolates shipped, please place your order by April 17, midnight.

Please note that ALL Easter orders will be shipped on April 19 through USPS Priority Mail to arrive within 2-3 business days.

Orders to be picked up can be placed until April 21, midnight. Pick up at our kitchen in Somerville from April 20-22, 10am- 2pm.

Click Here to place your Easter Collection order today!

Welcome to April: Hop this way

The Ancho Bar has become quite the rave with it’s savory-spicy-sweet flavor profile and we’ve been scrambling to produce enough to satisfy the needs of our local shops as more and more want a piece of the pie--or bar in this case!

We've also been tinkering with a chocolate caramel and think we've hit on a very nice combination using Taza's 80% stone ground chocolate. Reminds us of gooey brownie corners. Yummmmm…

Did anyone say s'mores? Hand over the blow torch.

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Chocolate Club Members - April 2011

If you are a member of the Chocolate Club, here's what you can look forward to in April:

Cherry - A juicy ganache made with cherry puree and a touch of kirsch, finished with a flavorful piece of tart dried cherry

Milk Chocolate Creme Fraiche - A silky smooth milk chocolate with a subtle tangy finish

Peanut Butter - Like the Reese's cup, only better - a rich peanut butter and milk chocolate gianduja

Star Anise / pink peppercorn - A blend of milk and dark chocolate ganache with the assertive flavor of licorice and a delicate sweet peppery finish

Earl Grey – Delicate tones of bergamot oil infused in a smooth dark chocolate ganache

Varietal Dark - A single plantation dark

chocolate with flavors of ripe tropical fruits and licorice topped with roasted cocoa nibs

Confection of the month: Rochers - our popular haystacks of crunchy, salty, caramelized goodness

The Chocolate Club season is winding down, but 3 month memberships are still available from April-June. If you can't live without April's delicious flavors, but not quite ready to commit to 3 months, you can now join for one month!

To join the Club or send a unique gift of monthly chocolate deliveries click here. To receive the April selection, the last day to order is midnight, April 3, 2011. The ship date is April 12, 2011 by USPS Priority Mail, and expect arrival in 2-3 days.

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Find Us

We're out and about town, well, at least our chocolates are! The newest locations to find them are South End Formaggio, Beacon Hill Chocolates on Charles Street, Fastachi in Belmont, and Joanne Rossman (Purveyor of the Unnecessary and the Irresistible) in Rosilindale.

We’re also delighted to partner with our friends at Journeyman, pairing wines and chocolates at special event dinners.

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Coming soon…

Hippity Hop, Easter is coming April 24 and we are very excited about our newest chocolate mold - bunnies!!! We are putting together a beautiful 10 piece box with yummy new flavors like maple pecan butter and s'mores. Details to follow.

Lights, camera...Next Food Network Star? How2heroes came for a visit this week and filmed us giving a lesson on how to make pecan turtles! Stay tuned...

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Upcoming Events

March 30 - Boston Walking Chocolate Tour

April 2 - Somerville Mayor's Challenge

April 2nd - "Of Course" A Gala Benefit for Cambridge Adult Education

Check back to our Events page as we expect to be out at local events and Farmer's markets starting in April!

It's Valentine's Day not Judgement Day

Je vous ai apporté des bonbons

Parce que les fleurs c'est périssable
Puis les bonbons c'est tellement bon
Bien que les fleurs soient plus présentables
Surtout quand elles sont en boutons
Mais je vous ai apporté des bonbons ...
- Jacques Brel

We love flowers but as Jacques Brel sang... "I brought you candy/because flowers are perishable/and candy is just so good./Even though flowers are more presentable/especially when their still little buds/But I brought you candy..."

If you're second guessing your gift, or you perchance didn't pick one up yet (we're not judging), stop by the EH Chocolatier kitchen today to purchase one of our remaining 5 piece heart collections. We'll be here from 10 - 5:00 or until our last heart is taken.

EH Chocolatier
561 Windsor St. B-206
Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617.284.6096

A bientot!

Elaine & Catharine

Valetine's Day at the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market

We are heading back over to the Arts in the Armory building again on February 12th for the new and buzzing Somerville Winter Farmer's Market. There's nothing like inch upon inch upon inch of snow to bring people together in a warm cozy space with live music, delicious local food, and a buffet of samples. We will be all ready with our piece de resistance (that your loved ones will not be able to resist) the EH Chocolatier Valentine's Day Boxes.

5 & 9 piece Hearts Galore

This is in a very pretty red 5 piece artisan box with windows to view – we’ll have all molded filled hearts with different designs including our new airbrush colors! Flavors: raspberry, ginger, burnt caramel, caramelized white, peanut butter

The 9 piece is the same box as our usual standard but wrapped in a beautiful handmade red paper and will be sealed with red wax and heart imprinted. Flavors: in addition to the above – 4 dipped (enrobed) cherry, passionfruit, ceylon cinnamon, milk crème fraiche.

For a look at the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market, up close and personal, here's a great video made by Ben Pender-Cudlip at Unrendered Films.

Winter Farmer's Market (Extended) from Ben Pender-Cudlip on Vimeo.

Got to love chocolate!

It just isn't Valentine's Day without chocolate, but chocolate and gifts didn't enter the Valentine's Day scene until the second half of the 20th century. Before then hand written notes were exchanged. After her graduation from Mount Holyoke College in 1847, Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts had received her first English Valentine. She was interested in making similar Valentines and her father owned a large book and stationery store. She imported the paper lace and floral decorations from England and began taking orders for Valentines. Demand was so great she had friends assist her and issued her first ad in a Worcester newspaper and created a thriving business. It later became popular to exchange gifts and not just cards, including roses and chocolates packed in red satin heart shaped boxes.

We've moved beyond the red satin boxes and the chocolate selections have grown up since Cadbury's first first heart shaped chocolate box of 1861. So what have we got for you or your Valentine this year?

Red Collection - 9 Piece Box

Our 9-Piece Box is filled with 5 beautifully decorated hearts and 4 hand-dipped bonbons specially decorated for the occasion. The flavors included in this collection are raspberry, ginger, caramelized white chocolate, bourbon caramel, peanut butter, cherry, milk chocolate creme fraiche, passionfruit, and Ceylon cinnamon. This collection comes to you in our signature black box wrapped in a red Japanese paper sleeve and is sealed with a wax heart.

Orders to be shipped can be placed through Sunday, February 6 at midnight and will be shipped USPS Priority Mail Tuesday, February 8 (2-3 day delivery time.) Orders to be shipped placed after February 6 at midnight will be shipped on Tuesday, February 15.

Local orders for pickup can be placed through Friday, February 11 at midnight and can be picked up Monday, February 14 between 10am and 5pm.

Red Collection - 5 Piece Box

Our 5-piece box is filled with beautifully decorated hearts. The flavors included in this collection are raspberry, ginger, caramelized white chocolate, bourbon caramel, and peanut butter. The hearts are nestled in a unique handmade cocoa leaf box with a window to admire each heart. The boxes are made by artisans in remote villages using sustainable materials.

Orders to be shipped can be placed through Sunday, February 6 at midnight and will be shipped USPS Priority Mail Tuesday, February 8 (2-3 day delivery time.) Orders to be shipped placed after February 6 at midnight will be shipped on Tuesday, February 15.

Local orders for pickup can be placed through Friday, February 11 at midnight and can be picked up Monday, February 14 between 10am and 5pm.

New Year! New Chocolates!

We are back in the kitchen with new seasonal sweets for you to enjoy and quite a few new venues where our chocolates can be found. The January Chocolate Club is in full swing with treats that reflect the season available exclusively for Chocolate Club members. Feast your eyes on this month's Chef's Choice:

• Caramelized White Chocolate - Valrhona Ivoire with warm tones of butterscotch and dulce de leche
• Hot Chocolate - Winter classic has dark chocolate ganache flavored with a hint of creme de cacao and topped with handmade marshmallow
• Vanilla – A dark chocolate ganache infused with fresh vanilla bean
• Cayenne / 5 Spice – A savory dark chocolate ganache flavored with Chinese five spice and the heat of cayenne
• Honey Caramel - Floral tones of wildflower honey in a soft caramel, balanced with
• fleur de sel
• Passion Fruit - A white chocolate ganache with the tart and tangy presence of passion fruit
• Confection of the Month: Maple Bourbon Pecan Clusters

Should you feel that you just can't be left out this month, you can still join the January Chocolate Club, but you have only a short few days. The deadline for this month is January 9th at the stroke of midnight. Click here to become a member.

Local Finds
We are starting to pop in on local neighborhood shops and make ourselves at home. Look for us at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge. On the shelves they'll have bags of confections, and 9 piece boxed collections of both our Three Teas and Caramel Trio. Behind the chocolate display case, you'll find individual bonbons available a la carte. Grab a bottle of Champagne, some cheese and wine, a selection of charcuterie and a baguette and you have the perfect last minute feast!

A little closer to the source, our local bean to bar chocolate friends, Taza Chocolates, will be selling a classic truffle that we have made for them with a ganache based on Taza’s 70% Stone Ground Chocolate, hand dipped in Taza 80% dark. It's fruity and dark with delicious tones of cherries. The truffles can be found at Taza's new retail shop downstairs from our kitchen at 561 Windsor St. Somerville. They'll also have samples of all their chocolates, and take a peek through the windows at their expanded production facility!

In the News

Public Radio Kitchen
"New Sweety in Town - Fate threw Elaine Hsieh and Catharine Sweeney together over ten years ago when a mutual friend asked them to make a wedding cake (their first). The two are still talking, and they’re even in business together with the brand spankin’ new Elaine Hsieh Chocolatier in Somerville. Check out these beautiful chocolates (did I mention there’s a monthly chocolate club membership?)."

Weekly Dig
"SOMERVILLE AS HERSHEY: IS THAT A LOCAL FIRST AMUSEMENT PARK? - In October, chocolatier extraordinaire Elaine Hsieh set up shop on Taza’s second floor. She, along with cofounder Catharine Sweeney, makes confections that fall just a smidgen short of adultery in guilty bliss. Their Pecan Clusters ($18.95), dripping with dark chocolate and bourbon-infused caramel, are the closest you can come to absolutely ecstasy without oxygen deprivation."

Celebrate Winter

Many local food folks are celebrating because on Saturday, January 8th the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market makes its début. Come visit us at the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market, January through March, 2011! The market will be held at the Arts at the Armory building.