Who: Alternative Chocolate
What: Vegan, nut, gluten and soy free chocolate, with natural sweeteners and raw cacao
Website: www.freedomchocolate.co.uk
UPDATE – Alternative Chocolate have rebranded and are now Freedom Chocolate new article here.
Alternative Chocolate are a family business based in Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. After having allergy sufferers in the family, the Woods were inspired to create unique chocolate products that are free from dairy, nuts, soy and gluten. Not only are all their products vegan, they are also refined sugar-free, as Alternative Chocolate focus on using healthier alternatives such as coconut palm sugar and maple syrup as sweeteners instead.
The taste of this chocolate is really unique. I tried the dark variety first and it immediately reminded me of Modica chocolate, a famous chocolate from Sicily, famed for its traditional method of making which involves a simpler process than many modern, mainstream chocolate products on the market. This evocation is likely due to Alternative Chocolate’s processes and commitment to traditional methods, such as hand-tabling and not melting the chocolate at an extremely high temperature, not a degree over 48 degrees celsius, to retain health and taste elements of the cacao.
The milk and white chocolates were unique too, with the different sweeteners adding an unusual taste to both varieties. In my experience white chocolate can be really overly sweet, Alternative Chocolate’s white chocolate has a lovely creamy and subtley sweet taste. The milk chocolate had a distinct taste, with the cacao, coconut milk powder and maple syrup combining to create a distinct and pleasurable flavour.
The packaging is simple and sustainable, no plastic any more here – the chocolate arrived in paper-based packaging, and the filler was shredded paper too. I adore this attention to detail.
The chocolate is unique, tasty and really special. Alternative Chocolate is run by an incredibly lovely family; I was conversing with Sarah quite a bit asking questions about the chocolate and she is knowledgeable, amiable and helpful.
Alternative Chocolate is currently available to order from the website altchoc.com, and also at select Farmer’s Markets and shops in the region; check on Facebook for up-to-date details of those. If you’re in the Dumfries area go and give them some love and treat a friend or yourself, or just order from the website for instant gratification!
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with my latest blog posts and reviews.
The Greedy Herbivore 