Cocoamoda: Chocolates

Update (2/3/16): For more current blog posts regarding Cocoamoda, please go here. To order chocolates online (highly recommended) go to their website. The chocolate shop is still open, with reduced hours: Wednesdays through Sundays 10 am - 6 pm. The chocolates are still being made by hand each day. For updates regarding Chef Ken's accident and recovery visit his CaringBridge blog or the business' facebook page. They will not have weekend dinner service until Chef Ken fully recovers.

Original Blog Post:

Recently my folks came to Texas to visit The Lovely Spouse and I.  We live in a small town so we struggled with the eternal question of what to do when we don't want to travel far.  On this particular trip we decided to visit another small town about 20 minutes away: Calvert, TX.

The small town of Calvert, TX. Most people only see it from their cars along Highway 6.

Calvert is home to a chocolatier whom we had heard was one of the best in the world. So we had to find out for ourselves.

Cocoamoda stands out as you drive from the South heading North on  highway 6.  Also, watch out for the construction  Calvert's in the process of getting a make-over.

Cocoamoda is located on a corner of Main Street, also known as Highway 6, running straight through the middle of town. The town is so small, that if you miss it, park your car and walk around until you find it.

Cocoamoda also has a garden cafe out the back.  I'm told special events are often hosted there.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon, when not much else was open.  And upon entering were greeted by the chocolatier and chef himself: Ken Wilkinson.  And a gorgeous restaurant space in a lovingly restored historical building.  There were very few people in there the day we visited, however the very personable Chef Wilkinson put us at ease and talked with us while we enjoyed an afternoon tea.  We learned that Chef had been a television chef on a syndicated show called Cable Cookery in the 80s.  We also learned about all of the wonderfully flavorful chocolates available at the shop.

Chef Ken Wilkinson is a natural at hospitality.

The lovely dining room on a Sunday afternoon.

So how do I rate the chocolate?  The best I've had anywhere, hands down.  Better than the best chocolate I've had in Italy, imported from anywhere in Europe, or available anywhere else in the US.  Perfectly tempered chocolate.  Fillings made with all natural, real ingredients, not artificial extracts (nothing wrong with artificial flavors, but  you can tell the difference).  The key lime truffles tasted like actual limes, blended beautifully with smooth white chocolate.  The lavender truffles were filled with real lavender, with its herbal twang and accented with white chocolate.  The blackberry truffles had a smooth blackberry gelee inside and were enrobed in a perfectly complementary blend of dark chocolate.  The milk and honey truffles beat any milk chocolate truffle on the planet for creamy smooth texture and delicate taste.  All unbelievably for around $3 a truffle.

Yummy chocolates. 

And the tea?  We stayed for a proper tea.  The Lovely Spouse and I elected to try an herbal sage infusion recommended by the Chef.  We will be having fresh sage tea in the future.  It was lovely.  If you enjoy the flavor and aroma of fresh sage it can't be beat.  Mom had a "regular" English tea which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Sage tea.  Surprisingly complex.

Will we be back?  YES! We've made reservations for an anniversary dinner there.  Chef Wilkinson is also a classically trained chef who hosts dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. The menu is what he decides to serve for the week.  Based upon what I saw on his facebook page, it's all amazing.

I highly recommend Cocoamoda.  You won't be disappointed.  Please check their website for hours of operation. If you can't make it to Calvert, TX you can also purchase their awesome creations on their website.

Chocolate: where it all starts. 

Truman Chocolates - Review

Stand back, everyone. I'm about to do my first review as Cibatarian.

For my first review I selected a place I have been wanting to try, but just haven't gotten around to. Until now, of course. Local foodie buzz informed me that we have not one, but two world class chocolatiers within 50 miles of lowly Bryan and College Station, Texas. LOL...wut? How can this be? And why haven't I tried them?

So earlier this week I called the spouse and we headed over to the one closest to work: Truman Chocolates on Texas Avenue, North of University Drive in the same shopping center as Yesterday's and Luby's. Yes, that's right, it's hidden in a strip mall; much like Superman being hidden by his Clark Kent identity. [Who here didn't already know I was a nerd?] The location is extremely nondescript, with no writing on the door. It is recognizable by the stylized script on the top of the strip mall location and by the extremely clean interior, devoid of any unnecessary clutter.

Once you walk in, you can smell the chocolate. For a chocoholic, such as myself, that is worth the trip, alone. There is a small counter filled with the chocolates that are currently available, without a pre-order. The selection the day we went included about 25 different types, in a huge variety of flavors and colors. For the record, they accept special orders; everything from previously uncreated flavors to Food Network-style chocolate showpieces. And the first person you find is one of the chocolatiers - a very nice person to guide you in your selection and to offer free samples. Be still my beating heart!

First things first. We were there to select a gift box for a friend. I chose the larger of the two gift boxes; 16 selections at $36. With a little information about the recipient (a sweet tooth with a penchant for sweet alcohol) we selected jewel-pretty items with flavors ranging from white chocolate to mimosa, banana, cinnamon, passion fruit and chambord. All were individually hand-packed into a simple, but sturdy and elegant box.

Next we selected a gift box for ourselves. This time it was the smaller, 10 (?) space box for $20. Each of us picked 4 selections, checked out and were on our way. Did I mention how nice and professional our host was?

Much later in the day we finally found time to sit down with the smaller gift box we purchased for ourselves. Selections included, coffee, s'mores, margarita, mimosa, mojito, banana, peach, white chocolate, and two chambord truffles. Each was quite beautiful and painted, with edible paint, to match the flavor. Shiny finish and glittery sparkles were an elegant touch for some. Real gold leaf was a nice finish for others. We split all of them, except peach...I have a thing against peaches that can't be explained here. The spouse loved that one, by the way.

One thing stood out about all of the truffles: the ganache center was at exactly the right melt-in-your mouth temperature. Storing these too hot (next to the stove) or too cold (fridge) would ruin them. Additionally, the thin "crust" was extremely delicate, making these very easy to eat and preventing the weird contrast in texture that you can sometimes find in cheap truffles.

Each flavor tasted intensely as it was described. Banana was undoubtedly banana. Mimosa tasted like the drink. Mojito tasted of mint and lime. Chambord tasted of orange liquor and chocolate.

My only criticism is the white chocolate truffle. It was good, but not the best. For me, a lover of white chocolate, the best is when it has a creamy, milky taste without the chemical or plastic characteristic that can often be found in cocoa butter. Truman's was close, but sadly no El Rey. But, then again, only El Rey can be El Rey. So I hold it against nobody. I will say that Truman's white chocolate paired very well with the flavored ganaches, and as part of a team, it was very beautiful to taste and to see.

Do I recommend Truman's? Absolutely. At about $2 a truffle, it's a luxury and an indulgence. But one that won't kill the bank. It also makes a lovely gift for a chocoholic and/or foodie. For people catering events, I also recommend their special orders. Everyone was very professional.

Will I go back to Truman's? Absolutely. Those mojito truffles were truly a thing of beauty.