We have just returned from our, now annual, trip to Barcelona to see family and recover from months of Christmas chocolate preparation and anxiety. We travel by rail and road and as we pass through Paris, I make sure I have time for a stop at Plaq in Rue de Nil; hot chocolate, a browse through their gorgeous bars, and a moment to sit in this wonderful street and catch our breath.
I have spent some time on previous trips to Barcelona exploring its craft chocolate offers, but this trip for some reason, there did not seem to be an imperative. The internet revealed a new-to-me business, Kina Chocolates – but it was not clear from their website if they had a shop that I could visit. I did though chance upon the Spain office of Original Beans, and spent a very lovely hour or so chatting to their rep about their work, in particular cocoa sourcing, the current cocoa market situation and so much more; I was glad I had brought some extra bars of our chocolate with me, so that I can share what we do with wild flavours.
During our trip we took a visit to Madrid, and as well as the magnificent Prado, we sought out Kaikao – they use date sugar as their sweetener. They have a very busy workshop and shop in central Madrid,. A small and delightful bakery, Acid, with the best pastries I have ever tasted, further delighted me by having Puchero bars on their shelves (and apologies - I have eaten and given away all the bars I bought from them, so no photo. They are delicious!)
The chocolate highlight of the time away though was spending a couple of days with lovely Nerea, in Vitoria. We really enjoyed exploring the town – with its beautiful medieval core, full of character, handsome buildings, history and some of the best small museums we have been in. Playing cards, amber, Wellington’s tea set. And of course Pinxos! But the highlight for me was long chats with Nerea (@nereachocolate) about chocolate, and sitting with her tasting. So I did finally taste Kina, as well as Basque favourites Kaitxo and Lurka.
And of course, you cannot take the forager anywhere and not expect her to walk very slowly and nibble the undergrowth! Even in Barcelona, we were ‘stalking wild asparagus’ (never thought I would actually do that! 'Stalking The Wild Asparagus' is an wonderful classic foraging book by Euell Gibbons; next I have to stalk the Blue Eyed Scallop!), and I became a little obsessive about looking for Holm or Holly Oaks to collect their acorns. Visiting friends on France on our way home, we spent a prickly afternoon gathering juniper berries, and great fun cracking local walnuts with meat tenderising hammers! So I have a few exotic foraged treats to enjoy on my Wildbiome diet, come April.
