CACAO SAMPAKA

It’s always interesting to see what a nation does with its cocoa supplies. The Brits package it as Cadburys and, come Easter, stick a ridiculously sexed up bunny on the wrapper. Yanks seem to prefer teardrop shaped ‘kisses’ called Hersheys. And let’s not get started on the Belgians. In Barcelona, it’s this stylish chain that corners the cocoa market and raises the bar in the art of chocolate making. The gorgeous shop stocks a wide variety of chocolate in tablets, marmalades, sauces, and candies, offering traditional flavours (think fruits, nuts, liquors and spices), as well as some you’d never expect from their ‘Gastronomic Innovations’ range. Adventurous chocoholics can sample creations like chocolate anchovies or parmesan chocolate bars, whilst gourmands should try LA JOYA – Cacao Sampaka’s special line of legendary chocolates and bars, made from the rare ‘white’ Criollo cocoa beans.