We have been extremely busy here at Ascot Chocolates and Fine Teas throughout the summer months. We have changed our name from Exquisitely Chocolate to Ascot Chocolates and all that entails. Although our chocolate remains exquisite of course!

At Ascot Chocolates we are very proud of our Belgian chocolate because not all Belgian chocolates are created equal and once again we have set ourselves apart by having the most amazing tasting chocolate in this area.

We have added a new unique product line that you will not find elsewhere. Check out our website for the full range of shoes and purses!  They will definitely intrigue and amaze you. They make fabulous gifts for any woman or young lady in your life.

Also new this year are our workshops which are great for the office party, team building, birthdays, special occasions or just plain fun.

The holiday season is almost upon us and it seems we have to make plans earlier each year otherwise everything gets booked up. So think about Ascot Chocolates when you are planning your events and come to us for unique gifts.   You will not be disappointed.

On a final note, here at Ascot Chocolates we are forging our way into aromatic teas that are blended to the highest of qualities. This was a natural progression for us as many of our truffles are infused with teas. Along with a delightful selection of high quality teas we have beautiful tea accessories that will please any tea lover.

To close, not only have we been busy with changing our name and adding to our chocolate offerings;  we now have tea.  To this end we are proud to announce our name as Ascot Chocolates and Fine Teas.

As many people are unaware of where the term Mendiant comes from or even what a Mendiant is. A Mendiant is a traditional French confectionery composed of a chocolate disk studded with nuts and dried fruits which was normally offered at Christmas time.

The nuts and dried fruits traditionally represented the colour of the monastic robes of the four mendicants or monastic orders of the Dominicans, Augustinians, Franciscans and Carmelites with tradition dictating raisins for the Dominicans, hazelnut for the Augustinians, dried fig for the Franciscans and almonds for the Carmelites.

Mendiants offer a fabulous alternative to ‘Bark’ in that it is a thinner piece of chocolate which allows the flavours of the toppings (i.e. fruit and nuts) to dominate while you are still able to taste the luxurious chocolate. Actually, for me,  it creates the perfect balance.

Another benefit of the Mendiant is that they are smaller bite sized pieces which are decorated in such a way that they are mouthwateringly appealing to the eye. Generally we are impulsive creatures and we eat with our eyes. Have you tried Mendiants?  What is your preference?

Bark offers a completely different experience and has a more rustic appeal with thick chunks of chocolate encrusted with fruit and/or nuts. So I guess to determine which one appeals to you, Mendiants or bark, may depend on your mood. Would you like to savour the taste and luxuriate in a beautiful mouthwatering Mendiant, or are you hankering after a big chunk of chocolate with nuts and you need to satisfy that urge right now!