New from XOXOLAT (chocolate shop)
It’s a tradition that most of us make resolutions at this time of year usually involving big changes, sometimes even difficult ones.
If your resolution is to eat healthier, we can help – after all, dark chocolate is one of the healthiest foods for you. No kidding, dark chocolate has almost 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in blueberries! Flavonoids and antioxidants can help to protect you from heart disease. Think of it this way… cocoa beans are plants, which means they have many of the same health benefits that you get when you eat vegetables.
Of course, we believe that everything should be eaten in moderation – even the healthy stuff – which is why we’re so well known for our two totally delish bacon bars: a Westcoast Breakfast one with bacon and espresso in dark chocolate, the other with a kiss of chili for a subtle wake-up call. Health benefits of bacon? Not many. Serious pleasure? You betcha.
So there you go, a new year’s resolution you can look forward to keeping. Paraphrasing author Michael Pollan: Eat chocolate. Not too much. Mostly dark.
Here’s to a happy and healthy new year!
XOXO,
Xoxolat
P.S. Chocolate news, reviews, musings and more… all on Twitter!
| 5 easy steps to hot chocolate bliss! | |
There are some significant differences in the ingredients between drinking chocolates – mainly emulsifiers. It’s one of those good news/bad news things. The good news is that when emulsifiers and the like are added, it makes it easier to mix the chocolate with milk or water. The bad news is you’re getting things other than what you need. Our drinking chocolate is just chocolate, which is why it has to be melted so it will blend well. Here are 5 easy steps to hot chocolate bliss: 1. Use only premium dark chocolate. (one to three ounces/person) 2. Melt slowly in a pan on the stove. We’re talking really low temperature. If chocolate melts at body temperature, then the heat from a stove on low is going to work just fine. Keep in mind that chocolate burns at 125˚F. 3. Add the water or milk. Don’t overheat it, and never boil it. For water (yes, you can use water), we recommend no more than a 1.5:1 ratio to the chocolate. Use milk if you prefer it to be less thick. 4. Pour into a cup or mug. Add a shot of your favourite flavour or liquor if you wish, and/or a dollop of whip cream. 5. Sit back and savour the chocolate. Share it with a friend. Make it part of your daily routine – it’s great for breakfast! We did our best to take beautiful photos of how to make the perfect drinking chocolate, but after our test kitchen volunteer melted enough chocolate to send her entire family into a chocolate coma without being able to get a good photo, we decided to post the stock photo (see above) featuring mouthwatering drinking chocolate for breakfast. Here are the actual photos – they sure aren’t stock ones!
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| CHOCOLATE 101 – know what you’re eating! | |
| Emulsifiers, antioxidants, flavonoids… and more.
Find out what’s really in chocolate – and what shouldn’t be. Join us for a Chocolate 101 session on the healthy benefits of chocolate, sample award-winning bars from around the world, and then indugle in unique pairings of gourmet fare (in chocolate, of course!). Upcoming Chocolate 101 classes: Thursday, January 21st and Thursday, February 18th. Class size is limited to 12 people and advance reservations are required. To reserve a space, or for more information, please email xoxo@xoxolat.com ($15 per person) |
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| Feature Truffles Special (while quantities last!) |
| We’ve got some packages of truffles that we’re almost giving away – 16 truffles for just $15. When we run out, we’re out so hurry on in.
And, we’re putting Santa on sale, along with the snowmen and the other holiday chocolate items. But you’d better not shout (quantities are limited), you’d better not cry (when they’re gone, they’re gone), you’d better not pout (why would you when premium chocolate is on sale?), we’re telling you why (yup, 35% off!)…. Share this coupon – email it to your friends so they can enjoy the savings, too! To do what we can to save a few trees, the coupon isn’t required for the discount. Just tell us you saw it in our newsletter! |
2391 Burrard Street (at 8th)
Vancouver, BC
604 733 2462
Edible BC’s Winter Sale
Starting Saturday, January 2nd, Edible BC will be counting off the 26 days of January with a different in-store sale theme every single day. 26 days? That’s right – Granville Island Public Market is closed Mondays throughout January, leaving only 26 shopping days. And we’re going to make it worth your while to come down each and every day!
Every morning we’ll post each day’s sale on Twitter and Facebook, and you can view the complete month’s lineup on the Retail Store page of the EBC website.
And just so you can start your shopping and saving plans early, here’s the complete 26 Days of January Winter Sale Specials:
2nd Honey Sale ~ Save 15% on all honey in the store
3rd Thomas Haas Sale ~ Save 15% on all Thomas Haas Products
4th Granville Island Market Closed
5th BBQ Sauces, Planks &Wraps Sale ~ Save 15% on all BBQ sauces, planks & products
6th Organic Fair Chocolate Bars Sale ~ Save 50 cents per bar
7th Okanagan Vinegar Sale ~ Save 15% on all Okanagan Vinegar Products
8th Mission Hill Cherries Sale ~ Save 15% on Mission Hill Winery’s Oculus & Sweet Cherries
9th Maple Syrup Sale ~ Save 15% on all Isens & other maple products
10th Fishery Sale ~ Save $1 per tin on all fishery products (canned and smoked fish)
11th Granville Island Market Closed
12th Salt Spring Island Tea Sale ~ Save 20% on all teas & mixes from Salt Spring Island Teas
13th Mustard Sale ~ Save 15% on all mustards
14th Canadian Hazelnuts Sale ~ Save 20% on all hazelnut products
15th Fraser Valley Gourmet Butter Crunch Sale ~ Save 20% on the super popular Butter Crunch!
16th Little Miss Chief Sale~ Save 15% on all Little Miss Chief products
17th Vista D’Oro Sale ~ Save 15% on all seasonal Vista d’Oro products
18th Granville Island Market Closed
19th Eleni Olive Oil Sale ~ Save 15% on all Eleni Oils & Balsamics
20th Thelma’s Gourmet Goodies Sale ~ Save 15% on all preserved items from Thelma’s
21st Goodness of Garlic Sale ~ Save 20% on all Goodness of Garlic Products
22nd Nonna Pia Sale ~ Save 15% on all Nonna Pia Balsamic Reductions
23rd Gone Crackers Sale ~ Save 15% on all Gone Crackers flavours
24th Vij’s Sale ~ Save 15% on all Vij’s frozen entrees & spices
25th Granville Island Market Closed
26th Everything Done Right Sale ~ Save 15% on all Everything Done Right mustards & dressings
27th Milsean Sale ~ Save 15% on all Milsean bars, caramels, hot chocolate & Cake in a Jar
28th Premium Vinegar Sale ~ Save 15% on all Venturi Schulze, Minus 8 & Solera Vinegars
29th Wineland & Salad Sisters Sale ~ Save 15% on all Wineland & Salad Sisters dressings
30th Lobster Oil Sale ~ Save 15% on all lobster oils
31st Thai Princess Sale ~ Save $1 per bag of Thai Princess products
The Fine Print:
Some products have limited supply in stock, but prices will be honored for orders paid in full and placed on the day of the sale.
Prices are only valid in store from 9am to 7pm on the day of the sale and will not apply to online orders.
Sale prices cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons.
About Edible British Columbia
Edible British Columbia is a four year-old business based in Vancouver BC, Canada. The business is Canada’s largest culinary tourism and specialty (locavore) retail company with a successful store located in the Granville Island Public Market and a satellite store in Vancouver’s downtown Hudson Bay Company. In addition, Edible BC also has a large web based presence which drives the incredibly successful tour and event department, and online business. Our mission is simple – to introduce the public to BC’s culinary artisans. We provide both residents and visitors to BC with an opportunity to experience this province’s booming culinary scene. Whether it be though our retail store at Granville Island, our culinary concierge service, our chef-guided market tours, our cooking classes, our gourmet kayaking trips, or one of our many other unique epicurean adventures, we want to satisfy people’s culinary appetites.
Quince Essential Holidays
Last Minute Gifts for Foodies
Get a Gift Certificate for a Quince Studio Cooking Class or for shopping in our Kitsilano boutique food shop. Or order one of our beautifully packaged Gift Bowls, filled with the Quince Essentials for the amateur chef in your life. Get the full details here.
Quince Express Christmas & New Year’s Dinner Menus
Whether it’s a romantic winter dinner for two, or a celebration with friends and family,
treat yourself to a fine dining holiday dinner in the comfort of your own home.
Our menus comes fully prepared, vacuum packed with simple instructions.
Get your Christmas orders in by Wednesday, 23rd December, and your New Year’s orders in by 29th December.
For all the details go to our website
Holiday Hors d’oeuvre & Desserts
Entertaining at home or need something special for a holiday pot luck party?
Order some of our wonderful hors d’oeuvre and hors d’oeuvre platters,
prepared on our elegant white ceramic platters.
Or pick up some of our vacuum packed Express hors d’oeuvre,
easy for you to prepare and serve as your own
(always a good idea to check or order ahead to make sure we have it).
For dessert, order our dessert platters or cakes,
or pick up Christmas cookies and hand made chocolates.
Last minute Gifts you can grab with your morning Latte
Looking for a great gift this holiday season? Starbucks is the perfect and convenient destination to find gifts for anyone and everyone on your shopping list. From gifts for the kitchen, a special gift from a land far away, gifts for fun, gifts under $10 and gifts for a sweet tooth – Starbucks is the perfect and convenient destination for gifts for anyone and everyone on your list! Whether you’re looking for last-minute gifts, fun stocking stuffers or just a little something to reward yourself, Starbucks has it all…served up alongside your favorite holiday beverage!
Gifts For the Kitchen
Red Chambord Bodum 8 Cup Press ($44.95)
Starbucks preferred brewing method, the coffee press, is now available in a festive red color for the holiday season. Brew the perfect cup of coffee for your guests and make this press the centerpiece of your holiday entertaining!
6 Pack Coffee Sampler ($14.95 Canada)
A perfect gift for the coffee connoisseur or an adventurous friend, this sampler features six samples of some of our very best coffees, pre-measured and ground for an 8-cup press. Curl up next to the fireplace and try different flavors!
Holiday Boxed Mug ($11.45 Canada)
This season, good things come in pretty boxes! This 14oz decorative mug comes with a lovely matching box – and it’s the perfect gift for your friendly neighbour, a carpool buddy or your child’s favourite teacher. Simple, beautiful and festive, it’s just right for everyone on your list.
Gifts From Around The World
Reactive Red Mug from Italy ($9.95 Canada)
Handmade by artisans from the Umbria region of Italy, this beautiful red mug is the perfect gift for your friends and family that need a little bit of holiday evviva!
Modern Rustic Mug from Japan ($9.95 Canada)
This modern rustic mug features a reactive interior glaze, a design made by a technique that is the result of centuries of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Marvel at this beautiful mug this holiday season.
Gifts For Fun
Stainless Steel Kids Water Bottle 12 oz. ($14.45 Canada)
This is a great stocking stuffer for the little ones, with a convenient flip-up spout and leak-resistant lid for easy sipping and no mess! This water bottle is BPA-free and boasts a reusable and sturdy design, making it not only a great gift but handy all year long.
Wish Kit ($16.95 Canada)
Surprise a teacher, friend or co-worker with a special treat with this easy to use wish kit! With six individual packets of Holland Mints, enclosure cards to write a sweet note, and folding gift boxes, each gift costs about $2.50.
Block Pile ($19.95 Canada)
This unique gift for children inspires creativity and fun. Make your own rock monster or stack the blocks sky high – whatever you choose, this is no ordinary pile of blocks! This gift is also eco-friendly, as it is made from alder trees sourced from an Forest Stewardship Counsel-certified forest and has packaging with high post consumer content that is also recyclable.
16 oz Cold Cup with Candy Cane Striped Straw ($14.95 Canada) & 20 oz Cold Cup with Candy Cane Striped Straw ($16.95 Canada)
Show off your “green” side with these reusable alternative cups this holiday season! Decorated with a festive candy cane striped straw, these double walled insulated cups look like the iconic Starbucks cold cups and will keep your favourite beverage cold and your hands dry this holiday season.
Gifts Under $10
Holiday Red Cup Ornament ($5.45 Canada)
Our customers have grown accustomed to the arrival of Starbucks red cups in stores which signals that the holiday season is officially here! Bring the iconic Starbucks red cup into your home and make it part of your holiday traditions by giving it a special spot on your Christmas tree, or wherever you need a glimpse of holiday cheer.
Starbucks Holiday Cold Cup Ornament ($5.45 Canada)
Are you a Christmas tree ornament collector? If so, Starbucks has a new addition for you! Our classic Starbucks cup ornament now comes in the Starbucks cold cup—the perfect sentiment for those who love Starbucks holiday beverages—as long as they can get their Peppermint Twist Mocha over ice!
Gifts For a Sweet Tooth
Coffee and Treats ($14.95 Canada)
Who doesn’t love coffee and treats? A simple gift that will please anyone on your list, this silver box contains an 8oz bag of the beloved Starbucks Christmas Blend paired with rich burnt caramel candies, made from real cream and butter.
Holiday Cookie Tin ($14.95 Canada)
The traditional holiday cookie tin receives a makeover with original art created by one of Starbucks very own artists. The festive tin contains a Starbucks customer favourite, Walker’s Shortbread Highlander Cookies, which pair deliciously with Starbucks Christmas Blend.
Cocoa Trio ($10.95 Canada)
This trio of beautiful red tins is filled with three different flavours of all natural cocoa: Classic Hot Cocoa, Peppermint Cocoa and Salted Caramel Cocoa. With all natural ingredients and no high fructose corn syrup, this cocoa trio is a sweet treat that anyone can enjoy!
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Wild Sweets® Launches 2009 cocoArt Collections
Every year, after months of research and development, DC DUBY Wild Sweets® launches new chocolate collections and the 2009 collections are titled arÔme and teXtuRe. Wild Sweets cocoArt® by Dominique & Cindy Duby is a series of haute chocolate gift that features exquisite hand-painted and hand-crafted chocolates elegantly packaged and pre-assorted in custom-designed gift boxes. The individually molded chocolates are handmade in true artisan fashion, using only the finest select origin chocolate. The cocoArt series features a new twist on an old classic European ingredient—praline. This time-honored recipe—made from deeply roasted and golden caramelized nuts or seeds—makes an extravagant confectionary filling. Our praline butters are impeccably scented to create a multisensory mélange of ‘new classic’ flavors, voluptuous aromas and delectable textures based on the series theme.
Wild Sweets cocoArt teXtuRe® collections are inspired by classic recipes that ‘crack, pop and crunch’. The praline butter filling is scented with alluring and exotic spice blends and studded with honey caramelized nuts or seeds, plump dried fruits or candied citrus peels. The teXtuRe series includes 2 different collections of 4 chocolates each and features chocolates flavors such as Espresso walnut praline with honey caramel pecans and mango or Ginger macadamia praline with honey caramel macadamia and banana chips, to name but a few.
Wild Sweets cocoArt arÔme ® collection are inspired by a classification system used in the science and art of perfumery. The praline butter filling is scented with enchanting oil infusions and studded with luscious sun-ripened fruit jellies (pâte de fruit). The arÔme series includes 2 different collections of 4 chocolates each and features chocolates flavors such as Fruit: coconut praline scented with pineapple grapeseed oil infusion and pineapple jelly or Citrus: sunflower praline scented with citrus zest sunflower oil infusion and grapefruit jelly, again, to name but a few.
Of course, such exquisite edible jewels deserve equally luxurious packaging. The 2009 Collection is offered in our new exclusive gift box packaging inspired on the Japanese Wood Box concept that presents the chocolates in a jewelry-like tray that showcases 4 assorted hand-painted chocolates and sealed with a printed sleeve. The arÔme and teXtuRe collections retail for C$8.99 each (shipping and applicable taxes not included) and are available throughout North America at DC DUBY Wild Sweets Virtual Boutique as well as in select retail partner stores in Canada.
For more information or to purchase, please visit the Virtual Boutique located at www.dcduby.com
Dominique & Cindy Duby are the chefs and owners of DC DUBY Wild Sweets® (www.dcduby.com), a critically-acclaimed chocolate atelier and Virtual Boutique, which has emerged as one of North America finest artisan chocolatier. The Dubys also own DC DUBY Hospitality Services Inc., an international firm offering culinary training and consulting services to hotels and catering companies worldwide, as well as product development, food styling, and photography. In addition to these full-time business endeavors, Dominique and Cindy are also award-winning authors. Their first book, Wild Sweets: Exotic Dessert and Wine Pairings, won gold for the Best Book for Food and Wine Matching (2003) at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Their second book, Wild Sweets Chocolate, won the silver award for Best Chocolate Book (2007) at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. In 2008, they started a new series of books titled Definitive Kitchen Classics and the first release was CrPme Brflée. And they just released this fall the second title of that series – Chocolate.
