Thanks to our beautiful store in Waterbury, just down Route 100 from Stowe, we are the official chocolates of Stowe Mountain Resort. This weekend was a big one for the resort, as they were part of Stowe’s Winter Carnival, and on Saturday they hosted their annual Ice Sculpture Competition.

With only a few hours to create art out of frozen water, it was amazing to see these carvers work. Chainsaws, hand tools and rags were all used to create beautiful finished sculptures.

All of this was great fun to watch, but with temperatures in the teens and an added wind-chill factor, we knew we had to help keep the crowds warm and happy. My mother always had chocolate in her pocket when we went skiing, and we passed along the tradition this Saturday, handing out free chocolate squares to adults and children alike.

If you missed us this past weekend, don’t worry – we’ll be back for more fun at the s’mores pit on February 16. In the meantime, look out for our 5 Star Sticker. It’s an awesome sticker to slap on a helmet or boot bag, but it’s even more awesome when you realize that it’s good for a free Five Star Bar, redeemable at our Waterbury location! Stowe staff will be handing them out if you look like you’re having a five star day, and you can always come and ask us for one at the s’mores pit!

Happy Winter! We hope to catch you (with some chocolate) on the slopes!

Might it be fair to say that traditionally it has been men who buy chocolate for women? Let’s think about that – does it have to be so? Are we implying that chocolate is inherently feminine? Now let’s change those stereotypes and start to think about what types of gifts us ladies can get for our husbands and boyfriends.

If chocolate is associated with women, beer is more often associated with men. When we put the two together, we create the kind of perfection you have your heart set on for Valentine’s Day. Fortunately, we have a page of our website dedicated to beer and chocolate pairing. You can also find more pairing options listed in other blog articles. Buying a gorgeous bottle of specialty ale and a nice box of chocolates is a great way to play to both sides of Valentine’s Day, and who knows, he might even share! In addition to the ones listed in the links above, here are a few more pairing ideas:

A New England Organic favorite, Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale, is widely available and has a light smooth and nutty flavor with hints of caramel and toasted malt. For Valentine’s Day, give him a bag of our Caramel Hearts to go along with it. The caramel tones in the beer itself along with its slightly sweet aftertaste complement the hearts well, and the lightness of the beer will stop it from overpowering the milk chocolate covering on these hearts.

Stepping further afield to a foreign land, try Wychwood’s Hobgoblin, a British Beer and a great example of an ESB (Extra Strong/Special Bigger.) This dark, roasty beer has aromas of toffee and chocolate with a buttery finish. Package it along with our 5-piece truffle box and see how well the smooth ganache in the dark chocolate truffles works with the beer!

But it isn’t all about beer: you might want to heat up your evening with an organic spicy Aztec chocolate bar. To top off your gift, give him a few of those bars along with a nice bottle of red zinfandel, perhaps from the Ridge Lytton Springs or Geyserville. The 55% chocolate rounds out the acidity in these wines and counterbalances the tannins, while the pumpkin seeds enhance the wine’s roastiness and the cayenne spice in the chocolate balances the wine's fruity tones.

Finally, our newest style of truffle, the revel, features the Vermont-made WhistlePig Whiskey in one of the chocolates included. Get your guy a bottle of this fine rye whiskey (which has earned the highest marks from whiskey aficionados around the world) along with our chocolates. What could be more manly and yet more seductive?

The choice is yours, but whatever you decide to get your husband, boyfriend or good guy friend (with maybe the potential for more), don’t be intimidated by tradition.

A group of us from LCC goes every year to the Winter Fancy Food Trade Show in San Francisco.  It’s a HUGE show all about food, so we love it.  Not only do we get to show off our products, like our new Easter chocolates and organic bars, but we get to see what everyone else is up to in the world of food. 

This year we’re doing something a little extra.  We’re hosting a “How to Taste Chocolate” workshop for valued members of the media.  There are so many different chocolate companies sampling their goods at the show, it is overwhelming.  How does a journalist know if a chocolate is good or bad?  After awhile, it becomes hard to discern flavors and textures, what you like and what you don’t like.  We’re hosting a guided tasting for those interested in understanding the nuanced elements of tasting, evaluating and describing exceptionally sourced chocolate.   The tasting will include the following chocolates:

•   Single Origin Peru Dark Chocolate Bar
•   Blue Bandana Chocolate Maker’s Madagascar Wild Pepper
    (a Good Food Awards Finalist)
•   Organic Salted Caramel Bar (New, coming in March!)
•   Organic Spicy Aztec Bar

Our hope is by the end of the tasting, the attendees will know what to look for when they are out on the show floor tasting different chocolates and not be quite so overwhelmed. 

The tasting is Monday, January 21 at 1:30 in Room 222 of the South Hall in the East Mezzanine of the Moscone Center.  If you’re a journalist and are interested in attending stop by our booth #565 and we can sign you up!

Holidays are over and summer is still a long way off—it can be hard to find something to get excited about in late January (unless you are a skier and it’s dumping snow, then that is pretty darn exciting). 

Well, our Factory Store at 750 Pine St, Burlington, has a few things going on that might get you off the couch. 

First, we’re having a winter sale, starting Friday, January 18 through Sunday, January 27!  Featuring our gourmet hot chocolate, Five Star Bars, and our handmade truffles, it’s a great time to stock up on your favorites or buy some early Valentine’s Day chocolates (as long as you don’t eat them before the big day!)  We’ll have lots of samples out for you to try too!

Second, we’re hosting two, free, (yes, FREE) chocolate tastings on Saturday, January 26.

At 1:00pm and 3:00pm, you can taste chocolate with an expert who will walk you through how chocolate is made, the differences between chocolate, desirable qualities of chocolate and the six steps to tasting chocolate.  Attendees will sample our famous Five Star Bars (did we mention they will also be on sale?) and learn how to evaluate them.  There is no need to register for either session but seating is limited so it is recommended to arrive early.

Soon you’ll impress your friends and family by describing the flavor notes of chocolate as sour, spicy, earthy or fruity.  And showing off your bounty of chocolate you picked up at some great prices.

That seems pretty good for the end of January to me.

Having hot chocolate after a long day of sledding is a tradition, but wouldn't it also hit the spot after a long day of skiing, particularly at Stowe?

Of course! Fortunately you won't have to go without a cup hot chocolate any weekend that you ski at Stowe. In fact, every weekend from 2-4pm, free hot chocolate is paired with s'mores at Stowe's very own fire pit. Even, better, this happy event is sponsored by Lake Champlain Chocolates on certain special weekends throughout the season.

We just recently hosted our first s'mores event of the year, and what a success it was! Our Traditional Hot Chocolate earned high accolades from the tasters at the event -- both parents and children alike -- and if you think a s'more is good with standard chocolate, try making one with Lake Champlain's gourmet milk chocolate!

All in all, our first event was a snowy, sticky, sweet success, and we hope to see you there again this Saturday, on January 19th for some more free hot chocolate and s'mores.

The Intervale Center is one of our favorite places.  It’s where we had our company picnic last June, it’s where we keep our bees, and it’s where we serve our ice cream every Thursday all summer long at Summervale.  While the Intervale Center is definitely where it’s at in the summer months (it’s like one big community picnic with all the best local food in one spot), when the weather permits, they also have Wintervale!

And since we’ve already had more snow fall this winter then we did all of last, we’re thrilled that the first Wintervale of the season is this Sunday, January 6!  Wintervale is less focused on food, although there will be our gourmet hot chocolate at the ready to warm folks up, and more focused on enjoying being outside in the winter.  When you live in Vermont you really need to embrace the winter, otherwise it’s a long few months.  Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are two of the more popular ways to enjoy the Intervale in the winter, with free equipment to try and 3 miles of groomed trails. There will also be lots of other fun games and activities for the kids too! 

 
We hope to see you out there!

Who said Christmas Chocolate could only be given out on the 25th? There are twelve days of Christmas, and twelve chocolates we have specifically chosen below (mostly because they fit the original song pretty well)! Be sure to sing along...

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight chocolate snowmen,
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine chocolate truffles,
Eight chocolate snowmen,
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten mint crunch coins,
Nine chocolate truffles,
Eight chocolate snowmen,
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven chocolate revels,
Ten mint crunch coins,
Nine chocolate truffles,
Eight chocolate snowmen,
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve Giant Santas,
Eleven chocolate revels,
Ten mint crunch coins,
Nine chocolate truffles,
Eight chocolate snowmen,
Seven sea salt caramels,
Six maple crunches,
Five five Star Bars,
Four orange peels,
Three Cocoa Tins,
Two nonpareils,
And an 11 piece truffle spruce tree!

Tis the season for baking and cooking and eating and drinking and more eating and drinking….. By the time January 1 rolls around, no wonder everyone is making resolutions to eat less and exercise more.  But it’s not January 1, not yet.  And so, we should feel free to continue to indulge for the next couple of weeks, it is part of what the holidays are all about!

While we have lots of delicious chocolate recipes on our website (my go-to is the Ultimate Chocolate Cake), we recently worked with several talented recipe developers and bloggers who came up with their own amazing recipes using our products.  Since you may have missed some of them, we thought we’d share those recipes with you here.  Let us know which ones you use and what you like the best! (warning: they all include chocolate!)

The Comfort of Cooking- Mexican Hot Chocolate using Old World Drinking Hot Chocolate.

Green Lite Bites- Spiced Hot Cocoa and Chamomile Tea using Unsweetened Organic Cocoa

Inspired Tastes- Chocolate Walnut Cookies using Unsweetened Organic Cocoa

Healthy Seasonal Recipes- Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte using Unsweetened Organic Cocoa and 54% Dark Chocolate Bar

Alexandra Cooks- Double Dark Chocolate Cake using Unsweetened Organic Cocoa

Happy Eating, Drinking and Being Merry this Holiday!

When is a hostess gift appropriate?

Holiday Party:
Bring a hostess gift. Something festive or seasonal is particularly appropriate.

Suggested Gifts: Sea salt caramels, homemade cookies, specialty food items like flavored oils and vinegars, scented candles, holiday ornaments or holiday-themed decorations such as hand towels or napkin rings.

Casual Get-together:
For a casual dinner party, it’s fine to bring a hostess gift, but not always necessary. If you’re getting together with close friends who you dine with often, you don’t have to bring a gift. You might contribute something to the meal, or you may reciprocate with a dinner invitation of your own during the holiday season.

Suggested Gifts: Wine, champagne, flowers (preferably in a vase), a potted plant, holiday chocolates, specialty food items such as jams or jellies, or other condiments, fancy nuts, olives, olive oil, or vinegars, or items for the house, such as cocktail napkins, guest soaps, or a scented candle.

Cocktail Party or Buffet:
It’s appropriate to bring an inexpensive gift to this kind of a gathering.

Suggested Gifts: Cute, festive or personalized cocktail napkins, bar accessories, wine glass charms, bottle toppers and, of course, wine or liquor. 

Large Formal Dinner Party:
Gifts aren’t usually taken to large, formal dinners, especially if you don’t know the hosts well. Do send a handwritten thank-you note the following day.

Overnight Visit:
Either bring or send a gift. Your gift choice will depend on the length of your stay and how elaborately you’re entertained. Your gift should be sincere, thoughtful, personal and fit your budget. One of my favorites is the Holiday Tower of Treasures.

Suggested Gifts: Vase or bowl from a known glass blower, collection of bath products, gift certificate to a local restaurant, desk calendar for the coming year, sturdy monogrammed tote, a nice set of nesting bowls for the kitchen, or a collection of holiday truffles.

What to Wear?
Your hostess gift is purchased and wrapped. You’re ready for the party, except for one thing—what to wear? Often holiday invitations arrive with attire recommendations that can be difficult to decipher. Festive attire. Holiday casual. If you’re stumped about what to wear, visit our Emily Post attire guide.

Imagine our excitement when Blue Bandana Chocolate Maker was among the finalists for the 2013 Good Food Award!  After just a few short months on the market, the Madagascar Wild Pepper Chocolate bar was selected among hundreds of entries- a pretty amazing achievement for Eric Lampman, founder of Blue Bandana.

What is Blue Bandana?   Blue Bandana is a fresh approach to making chocolate at LCC, founded on the principles of quality, transparency, taste of place and craft process.  Assiduous craftsmanship- to source roast, winnow, refine, conche, temper, mould and hand wrap each micro-batch of chocolate- requires great patience and passion.  Eric’s mission with Blue Bandana is to reveal the unique taste of the eartch native to each cacao’s landscape and strengthen direct relationships with those farmers.  Blue Bandana makes three exceptional chocolates:  Madagascar 70%, Guatemala 70% and the award finalist Madagascar Wild Pepper.  Check out our three retail stores in Vermont to buy.

What is the Good Food Awards?  
In their own words…..The Good Food Awards celebrate the kind of food we all want to eat: tasty, authentic and responsibly produced. For a long time, certifications for responsible food production and awards for superior taste have remained distinct—one honors social and environmental responsibility, while the other celebrates flavor. The Good Food Awards recognize that truly good food—the kind that brings people together and builds strong, healthy communities—contains all of these ingredients.

Now in its third year, Good Food Awards will be given to winners in nine categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, confections, pickles, preserves and spirits. The Good Food Awards Seal, found on winning products, assures consumers they have found something exceptionally delicious that also supports sustainability and social good. The Good Food Awards Gold Seal marks the products of winners who have also obtained certified organic status while also leading in taste and social responsibility.

You can see the other list of finalists here.  Winners will be announced at an event in San Francisco on January 18th so stay tuned!