chocolate fountains

How does a chocolate fountain work?

By John Griffin

A chocolate fountain is essentially an apparatus made from stainless steel that serves molten chocolate fondue. A motor at the base of the fountain is used for heating the prepared chocolate morsels that are placed in a heating tray. A central corkscrew pushes the molten chocolate up through a column. Upon reaching the top of the fountain, which may be 2-4 feet in height and have multiple tiers, the chocolate flows down. The chocolate flows into one tray and spills on to the next till it reaches the bottom tier. After the chocolate cascade reaches the base of the fountain, the whole process is repeated again. The first melting of the chocolate can also be carried out in a microwave or a double boiler. The fountain is placed on a base that is sturdy enough to hold around 40 kilograms of weight and is close to a power socket.

Chocolate high in cocoa butter, such as couverture chocolate, is ideal for use in fountains. The chocolate can be either milk or dark. Chocolate low in cocoa butter must be supplemented with vegetable oil; however, this hampers the smoothness and taste of the chocolate.

Chocolate fountains are available as home and commercial versions that can be used for a variety of occasions such as parties, film premieres, bar mitzvahs, and product launches. A home fountain is ideal for a gathering of around 25 people.

Chocolate fountains are available for rent from catering companies and party supply stores. These also provide an attendant who ensures that the fountain works properly, the chocolate cascades smoothly, and there is no abuse of the fountain at the hands of eager children. Tidbits such as fruit pieces, cheesecakes, marshmallows, etc are kept around the fountain. These can be skewered on to toothpicks and dipped in the fountain. Generally, anything that is not liable to crumbling will be fine for dipping in a chocolate fountain.

Chocolate fountains can be rented at an hourly rate that includes the charges for the attendant’s services and the cost of the chocolate used. Usually, chocolate fountains are operated for no more than two hours during a party; normally they are functioning when appetizers and desserts are served. They can also be an additional item in a buffet. Installing a chocolate fountain in the outdoors is not recommended as insects get drawn by the aroma of chocolate and breeze may disrupt the flow.

chocolate bouquets

Chocolate Bouquets and Table Arrangements

By Tina

Be a little different and have a Sweet Buds arrangement/bouquet

for a very special ocassion.

Floral-like table centre pieces but with chocolates. A choice of over 20 different coloured chocolate foiled hearts or over 20 different Novelty Chocolates to choose from, all arranged with satin ribbon and embellishments of your choice to match your theme or colour of your special ocassion.

Also available are Sweet Buds Mini arrangments, Wedding Long ‘n’ Low, Napkin Rings and Cake Toppers to match.

Suitable for the table at your wedding reception, Birthday Buffet table, Valentines, Mother’s Day, Retirment Parties, Corporate Events or as a bouquet just for giving for Birthday, Get Well, Miss You, Sorry or I love You. The Ocassions are endless !!

Sweet Buds Bouquets are luxurious enough for your wedding tables. Each Sweet Bud arrangement is loaded with30 Chocolate Foiled Hearts or 15 Novelty Chocolates. The Sweet Buds Mini arrangements have have 5 Chocolate Hearts or 3 Novelty Chocolates.

The service, the choice of chocolate, colour and theme are next to none and are highly recommended. What a great alternative to flowers. The Sweet Buds Mini arrangements can also double up as favours, thus saving the extra expense or just have the Napkin Ring as your favour, at 50p a napkin ring, you can’t go wrong !

Available only in the UK and not like any other you have seen before in the USA and Australia ! Sweet Buds arrangements are not stuffed with tissue paper , nor do they use florist ribbon.

chocolate cigar

Custom Chocolate Cigars Make the Perfect Gift

By Ajay

This year, why not floor your competition with a gift that they will never forget? Delicious, personalized chocolate cigars carrying a heartfelt personal message will leave an impression that won’t go away in a hurry. Custom chocolate cigars are a highly innovative idea. They can be used for a number of wonderful occasions. You may use them for wedding receptions, bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers or at wedding anniversaries. You may use them as wonderful and attractive centerpieces, or you may use them during fundraisers, annual company meetings or client parties. Chocolate cigars are particularly handy when you want to announce the birth of a baby. You get readymade blue or pink cigars and you can personalize it by adding your own message to these wonderful cigars. According to new parents, Jim and Hannah Hayes, “Personalized chocolate cigars are a huge hit with small kids, big kids and adults. The cigars look absolutely amazing and they are fantastic treat for smokers, non-smokers – just about everybody!”

Whatever the occasion, there is one thing you can be sure of when it comes to chocolate cigars – the recipient will always love what he/she got, without exception. In the rare case where the recipient may not be a chocolate fan, you can still rest assured that someone in the family or close circle will love it. So, your gift will never go unappreciated. Personalized chocolate cigars add a touch of extravaganza and celebration to every event, more so because everyone associates chocolates and fine cigars with celebrations. It is also the perfect gift for the special man in your life. Whether he is into cigars or chocolates or both, he will love it. Says Wendy Perble, “My dad loves cigars. He used to import some of his favorite brands all the time. But a year ago, he was asked to stop smoking completely. Since then, my sister and I make it a point to send him authentic custom made chocolate cigars twice a year. And you know what; he loves them just as much as his real cigars, or may be even more.”

Another huge plus in the favor of custom chocolate cigars is the opportunity to make these favors exclusively yours. You can add your own logo, pictures, sayings or quotes to give your personalized chocolate cigars a highly personal touch. Personalized chocolate cigars are undoubtedly wonderful. They are a great way to express warmth, and anyone who receives them cannot help but fall in love with them.