Designer chocolate Q opens the door on the forgotten world of Brazilian cacao
The exotic world of Brazilian cocoa, with its ever colourful fauna and flora, arrives in London for the first time this summer. Available exclusively at Fortnum & Mason, Q chocolate and its variations invite chocolate enthusiasts on a journey through a forgotten tropical universe, in search of the perfect Brazilian cocoa bean and all its sensorial possibilities.The Q process, created and pioneered by chef Samantha Aquim allows the flavour of cocoa to reveal itself as nature intended. With no artificial flavouring or essence, her Q bars contain only cocoa mass, cocoa butter and a small amount of sugar. The chocolate is available in six levels of cocoa mass, with the range being divided into “suaves” (soft – 55%, 60% and 65%) and “intensos” (intense – 75%, 80% and 85%).Its vibrant visual identity has recently received the Bronze Lion award at Cannes Design Festival, this June.
Aquim’sentire collection will be available in the form of 5gram ‘mini’-bars, presented in a gift box decorated with images from the cocoa forest and carefully wrapped with a leather lace bearing a bronze medallion. This exquisite gift also reveals Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic symbol, the Christ the Redeemer statue, making it a must-have souvenir for all chocolate enthusiasts. Threegrades of Q chocolate are available in 50 gram bar size: those containing 55%, 65% and 80% cocoa massand features illustrations of animals and plants native to the cocoa plantation in Bahia state. Indeed, a close look at the Q packaging reveals a myriad of beautiful fauna and flora that inhabit Leolinda Farm, including bromeliads, armadillos, monkeys and many tropical birds.
Samantha Aquim, chef chocolatier behind the Q chocolates including the acclaimed Q0, said:“Our family creations are born out of passion and with Q we would like to invite UK customers to associate chocolate with the natural world of cocoa and those who live within it. Once you try a bar of Q you will be reminded that chocolate is made from a tropical fruit and its subtle notes of dried banana, mango and passion fruit will bring you even closer to the rain forest.”
Natalie Griggs,Buyer Confectionary & Baker from Fortnum & Mason said: “We are committed to supporting specialist suppliers that are passionate about creating the highest quality goods. The provenance of Q chocolate combined with its superior ingredients makes it the perfect fit with Fortnum’s and we’re privileged to be their exclusive retail partner.”
The Aquim gift box and the 55%, 65% and 80%bars are available exclusively at Fortnum &Mason. The Q gift box is priced at £25 and the 50gr bars at £ 9.95.
