Naughty indulgences..defying the health craze

In the health crazed world of low carb diets, gym memberships, and exercise mania amoung young and old its interesting that shops & cafés selling chocolates and desserts are flourishing.  It is almost as if people cherish the rebellious nature of these places and flock to them to enjoy their indulgences.  I am not talking about the run of the mill Kandos or Cadbury’s but gourmet handmade delicacies with their intricate designs and mouth watering fillings. 

Today’s consumer is more discerning with greater spending power than ever before so maybe its this choice of being able to indulge in something ‘naughty and nice’ which that is the reason for the success.  It seems people today want choice and are willing to pay for it !

Having always been a chocolate lover as well as a bit of a health nut I did some research into chocolate and found out that its not all bad news.  In fact dark chocolate (higher in coco than its milk chocolate counterpart) is on a list of cancer-fighting foods.

Dark chocolate is very high in antioxidants called polyphenols – 50g of dark chocolate has around twice the polyphenol content of a glass of red wine, and about as much as green tea.

Chains like Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Barista and good old Coffee Stop have given new meaning to the humble cup of coffee with lattes, capuccinos, frappes, mochas, macchiatos and Café au Lait the order of the day.  I have decided to join the coffee/chocolate revolution in Melbourne and start a café specialising in handmade chocolate & desserts, coffee and the finest Sri-Lankan tea (www.teadrop.com.au)….giving consumers the best of each.   The menu will be simple and limited to snacks and tapas (“bites” as they are commonly known in Sri-Lanka) and a kickass breakfast will be available on the weekends as a hangover cure.

Truffles Café and Chocolaterie will open in late Feb/early March in Melbourne, so if you happen to be around pop in…..free wireless internet so you can sit and blog away to your hearts content

Let’s see how this latest venture pans out but I know I will certainly be savoring the ride !