The dark heart of Melbourne
In the city which ushered in the Espresso Age in Australia, a new culture is taking root with a darker, sweeter and more seductive nature.
The chocolate cafe, selling chocolate hot or cold, dark or white, made with cocoa butter by a skilled chef, is becoming entrenched in the proud Melbourne dining scene.
How true.
Koko Black was still a novelty act in 2004 and I remember visiting their tiny store in the Royal Arcade and staring at those chocolates sold in a jewellery-style glass enclosure. Quite the experience. Back then it was the only Koko Black (as far as I’m concerned) store around.
Within 18 months a string of chocolateur chains sprung up all over the city. Max Brenner is probably the most famous. Then to my surprise, Koko Black opened in coffee-culture Lygon Street. I had no doubt it will do well as it caters to a different market altogether. Unlike *cough* Starbucks *cough*
I do make it a point to purchase Koko Black’s choc mocha every time I head into the CBD. At around $6 a cup, it’s not cheap. If you can afford it, the chocolate infused coffee (a pleasant coconut aftertaste, you gota try it to believe it!) doesn’t disappoint!
Tags: Culture | Melbourne VIC
Not sure if ‘chocolate’ will ever overtake coffee but I for one with my sweet tooth will choose chocolate over coffee every time. I also notice on a recent trip to Williamstown that there was a new chocolate shop and which was looking very popular.
I personally like coffee more than chocolate. Coffee is quite famous in Malaysia now because you will see a coffee shop on almost every street you pass by. It has become a trend in Malaysia where a cup of coffee a day, bring you energy the whole day! I can seldom see shop selling chocolate, but who knows, it may become a trend here one day!