Jewels Artisan Chocolate: Little gems of cocoa extravagance

Chocolate lovers can now rejoice and celebrate a new establishment that pays homage to their favorite food, with equal amounts of indulgence and craftsmanship. Jewels Artisan Chocolate at Orchard Central has a variety of more than 40 delightful treats, all freshly handcrafted. Melding European artisan chocolate techniques with Asian flavors, Jewels makes use of the skill and passion of Singapore’s first artisan chocolatier, Then Chui Foong. 

Chui Foong started her love affair with chocolate when training in a hotel in Europe. She says: “I am interested in how chocolate can incorporate different flavors. I like experimenting with Asian influences, which adds an unconventional touch. I also enjoy the creative process, the fusion of food and art.”

The chocolates at Jewels are handmade daily, in small batches in store, to ensure maximum freshness and quality. But could the average chocolate lover really tell the difference between handmade and non-handmade ones? Chui Fong thinks they certainly would. “Handmade chocolates are very smooth, easily melt in the mouth, and leave a lingering taste. They do not leave a trace of greasiness,” she says.

Jewels uses the finest raw ingredients sourced from around the world as well as premium cocoa and quality butter, cream and yogurt from France. Single origin cocoa beans are used to ensure unique flavors are maintained and remain consistent when being processed. 

Despite having a large selection to choose from, Chui Foong has a few favorites to recommend. “We have a range of classic and Asian-inspired chocolates, a wider selection for customers to be spoilt for choice. Some of our must-tries, in my opinion, are the Perle Noir (The Black Pearl), silky champagne ganache enrobed with dark chocolate crunchy pearls; it has a good balance of texture and flavor. Coral is an interesting fusion of Cola and chilli for the adventurous. Amber offers a balance of fruit and herbs -- a combination of passionfruit with dill. Topaz contains 12-year-old Macallan whiskey with dark and milk chocolate. French nougat is a praline paste with nougat chips and feuilletine. Finally Nama choco: Smooth and rich in texture, Nama is 70 percent dark chocolate mixed with fresh chocolate.”

Jewels Artisan Chocolate: Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Road, #02-31/32; tel: +65 6509 8998; www.jewels.com.sg; open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily