Valrhona French Chocolate Assortment

Valrhona was one of the first fine chocolate makers to penetrate the UK market with its high quality chocolate, aimed mostly at the professional culinary trade. Fine chocolate up until then was almost unheard of in the UK and certainly not readily available on the street. Today it is one of the leading producers of chocolate, with five subsidiaries and 60 local distributors across the globe. The company also maintains the Ecole du Grand Chocolat, a school for professional chefs, focusing on chocolate and pastries. Valrhona markets top-quality luxury chocolate marketed for professionals as well as private consumption. Although, they are considered one of the finest chocolates in the world, Valrhona is in the same price range as Godiva and Neuhaus. The product line includes confectionery chocolate, plain and flavored chocolate bars and bulk chocolate for professional culinary purposes.

Valrhona produces vintage (meaning made in a particular year) chocolate made from beans of a single year’s harvest from a specific plantation, primarily the Grand Crus which is grown in South America, the Oceania and the Caribbean. Currently there are three brands of vintage chocolate – Ampamakia, Gran Couva and Palmira in production from plantations in Madagascar, Trinidad and Venezuela. Valrhona is part of the ethical trade association, a campaign committed to striking a balance between sustainable development and social responsiblility for plantation workers. Valrhona works hard to make sure it’s plantation workers are not exploited and is committed to long term relationships with its producers. Valrhona also promotes ecologically sustainable practices. Valrhonas buying criteria is not economical. Their selection of suppliers is based on the quality of their production and long term commitments.