Hotel Chocolat - Hazelnut Chocolate Spread

The tasting notes reflect my personal opinion.

Name

Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
Main ingredients are hazelnut paste (65%, hazelnuts, sugar, sorbitol, soy lecithin), cocoa solids (cocoa mass and cocoa butter), sunflower oil, sugar, soy lecithin, vanilla.
Cocoa content: The manufacturer lists 70% in the dark chocolate but it is not mentioned in the ingredients list. The amount of cocoa solids is not mentioned, thus no ratio is reported.

Manufacturer

Hotel Chocolate Ltd, Mint House, ROYSTON, Hertfordshire, SG8 5HL, United Kingdom

Packaging

The 150g chocolate spread is in a plastic jar which is sealed with the label.

Look

The chocolate spread is middle brown with hints of read.

Sound

Not applicable.

Smell

Opening the pan releases an intense hazelnut aroma which is mixed with roast aromas.

Mouthfeel

The spread is very soft and disperses immediately in the mouth. Once it has reached a surface it sticks to this briefly as if the spread had become mire dry once it arrived in the mouth. However, this sensation quickly disappears as the spread dissolves again. The spread is smooth but occasionally has some small particles.

Taste

The initial taste is a light sweetness that quickly merges with roasted hazelnut aromas. The sweetness remains present throughout. This makes the roasted hazelnut flavours comparably light.

Aftertaste

The aftertaste is dominated by a light sweetness and some hazelnut flavours.

Summary

This is a light and smooth, sweet hazelnut spread. It does not emphasise the roast and cocoa flavours but appears rather light and sweet.

Verdict

The hazelnut spread is well made towards the light and sweet flavours. It disperses velvety in the mouth and initially almost feels fluffy to the tongue. But it some very small particles in it. Not taking into account that the label argueing that there is more cocoa, less sugar and makes a statement about 'dark chocolate' which is not in the ingredients list, it is nice hazelnut spread. 4 Stars.

Dates

Lot number: 16108, best before: 11/2016, tasted 31/07/&02&05/08/2016