Valrhona Bahibe 46% Cacao
Crand Crus Single Origin milk chocolate using Dominican Republic Cacao.
This chocolate has a high cacao content to perfectly balance the smoothness of the milk before revealing a fruity tang and slight bitterness.
Candied Orange & Crunchy Almond Gianduja
Welcome back! so, this Bonbon has a crunchy Gianduja filling, unlike the ganache fillings many of the others have.
The Gianduja is made with hazelnut praline & Valrhona Bahibe 46% cacao Milk chocolate. (More about this Grand Crus Single Origin Chocolate to follow) then the ingredients of interest are added to the recipe. In this case I have finely diced candied orange rind for a punch of flavour and texture (because who doesn't love chocolate & orange?) and chopped blanched almonds for the crunch and added goodness.
The Gianduja filings have a very long shelf life, as they don't contain any water in the recipe. These bonbons you can afford to leave until last, if you are controlled enough to stretch your collection out as long as possible.
Valrhona Bahibe 46% Cacao Milk Chocolate.
Usually, I like dark chocolate with orange, this could be because I tend to prefer dark chocolate generally. But for this bonbon pairing I have chosen to go with a milk chocolate.
Valrhona Bahibe is a dark milk chocolate so does have a strong flavour profile of cacao, which ticks my box of really liking the cacao & orange flavour pairing. It also brings to the table a creaminess which not only works with the orange but also really nice with the almonds & hazelnuts in the recipe.
Candied Orange.
Citrus is in abundance at the moment locally, and when I am out walking the dogs I see loaded mandarin, orange and lemon trees everywhere.
These are great fruits to preserve, so you can enjoy them year-round. The process for candied orange is fairly simple but is a little time consuming. Well worth the effort though if you can do a decent batch that will last you a while. have a go! here is a good recipe: Escoffier Candied Orange
Almonds
Almonds have been added to the Gianduja for texture, so you get a really nice crunchy aspect. You also can't deny how good nuts are with chocolate, and that they also offer nutritional benefits as well.
Valrhona Chocolate: A Sustainable Choice
Valrhona chocolate is a premium chocolate brand that has been around since 1922. The company has built its sustainability program “Live Long” on four pillars (cocoa, environment, gastronomy and togetherness). In this blog post, we will explore the values and sustainability of Valrhona chocolate.
Valrhona is committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2025 for its whole value chain from plantation to dinner plate. They work to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and to offset their remaining footprint through reforestation initiatives such as the Cacao Forest Program. Valrhona has managed to find ingenious solutions at different levels, such as centralized refrigeration, which has enabled them to reduce their energy consumption by 26% or the regeneration of the crop gardens in order to sustain traditional cocoa-based agroforestry systems1.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Valrhona chocolate is a sustainable choice for those who care about the environment. The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its “Live Long” program and its efforts towards carbon neutrality by 2025. By choosing Valrhona chocolate, you are not only indulging in a delicious treat but also supporting a company that cares about the planet.
Learn more:
Thank you for following along on my chocolate bonbon journey.
In my next blog I will show you more 'behind the scenes' action in the chocolate studio kitchen about the process of making the bonbons, so until then enjoy your chocolates, and don't forget to let me know which is your favourite!
If you have yet to purchase the new collection for you or a friend, you can click on this photo!