Sunday Inquirer Magazine July 11, 2010: Royce Chocolates

MENU
The Rolls Royce of Chocolates?

By Margaux Salcedo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SOME people say that alcohol is the last legal drug. I say it’s chocolate. After all, chocolate evokes psychopharmacologic and behavorial reactions similar to the effects of alcohol – like addiction.

According to some research, chocolate contains methylxanthines, biogenic amines, and cannabinoid-like fatty acids “that potentially cause abnormal behaviors and psychological sensations that parallel those of other addictive substances.” Hence, the terms “chocoholic” or even “chocolate addict,” – leading to various anonymous quotes like, “A day without chocolate is a day without sunshine” or “I could give up chocolate but I’m not a quitter,” or “Forget love – I’d rather fall in chocolate!”

As with drugs, there is a fine line between appreciation for chocolate and addiction to it. One is healthy; the other is obviously not. Some have gone to the extent of paying over US$2,000 for a pound of artisan chocolate. Others pay hundreds of dollars to obtain the world’s best cacao. As with wine, you pay for the effort that goes into achieving chocolate perfection: the nurturing of the cocoa trees as they grow; the selection of cocoa beans before grinding; the blending of beans from different regions and the experiments with cocoa butter fat content. This is appreciation for good chocolate. Addiction is just devouring unimaginable contents of sugar-laden chocolate without minding the taste of the cocoa itself.

In Manila, while we have individuals who are great in chocolate appreciation, the economy limits the clientele that splurges in this direction. But at the Powerplant Mall in Rockwell, a brand that has come to be associated with fine chocolates has been attracting chocoholics the past couple of years. This is the brand that used to be THE pasalubong from friends and kin who’ve just come from Japan or Singapore: Royce’s chocolates, particularly the Nama line, which offers melt in your mouth, chocolate-powdered moussy chocolates.

Aside from this, Royce’s has recently introduced their Prafeuille Chocolat line, which consists of exquisite dark chocolate squares with sweet fillings, with flavors such as blueberry, raspberry or strawberry. The brand has also developed cookies, such as their Baton cookies, described perfectly on its label as a “long thin cookie created with fine chocolate on one side; a perfect match of crispy hazelnuts, cacao nibs and smooth chocolate.” Most interesting of all are the chocolate-covered potato chips. It’s a weird mix that somehow works.

As with Japanese culinary habits, even their chocolate-making puts the weather into consideration. Royce chocolates therefore began in Sapporo where, according to a website, “the crisp climate, sweet waters and clean air made Hokkaido an ideal place for confectionery making.”

Prices, like the chocolate, are on the luxurious side. But just like good wine, good art, or even a good pair of jeans, you won’t need a lot, but the splurge on even just one will be worth it. •
 
1 http://www.chocolate.org/choc.html
2 www.virtualchocolate.com
3 World’s Most Expensive Chocolates: http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/07/hershey-expensive-chocolate-cx_sy_0208feat_ls.html

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. - George Bernard Shaw