Taste Testing Sweets: The Gobstopper

I felt a little like one of the kids in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. You know, the cool, crazy Gene Wilder movie (not the more recent Johnny Depp one, those Oompa Loompas were just creepy). A plethora of sweets to choose from, how does one pick?

Disclaimer: In this instance I was a given samples to try by The Gobstopper, but my (many) opinions are only ever my own.

In the end from their extensive online list I picked a couple of items that took my fancy - their Gobstopper (I've never tried one and couldn't resist) and Coal Dust Powder, then asked them to surprise me and pick a couple of items from their Retro Packs.

They really didn't disappoint.

Arriving to my work, the box was immense, and filled with a real variety of sweets that my colleagues and I took great pleasure in trying out. One of my colleagues nicked the Dib Dabs (Flavoured Sherbert and a Lollipop you dip in) and got a little (unexpectedly) misty eyed at the childhood recollections - she used to buy them with her Brother. The packing was really sweet as well, from the stamped box to the sweet bags tied with ribbon, it would make a really sweet gift.

Everything else was tried over the morning, starting a fantastic sugar rush also meaning that we got loads of work done which is a nice bonus (and a lot of giggling).

 

We enjoyed the Fudge (Chocolate and Vanilla) with a lovely brew (props for the great sized mug) before I was dared to try the gobstopper. I refrained until I got home - it's half the size of an adults closed fist!

Completely new to me were the Coal Dust Crystals. Essentially Sherbert, they taste subtly of Aniseed and Liquorice. Oh my.

 

 

Favourite item? It has to be the Fudge. Rich and creamy it was delicious.

 

We really liked the packaging as well - the sweet bags tied with ribbon decorated with the store logo, the retro stamped cardboard box and the plethora of straw packaging keeping everything safe.

 

Hubby and I didn't fancy sugar coated almonds for our Wedding favours as is traditional, so we opted for a more personalised mixture of our favourites; Chocolate Limes (UK), Minties (NZ) and a small personalised chocolate with our names and the date. I'm just sad we didn't know about these guys - I spent HOURS scouring the net for Chocolate Limes!

 

Their website is very cute - when their Sweet Tobacco comes back in stock, I'll be there!

 

What is your favourite childhood sweet?

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Weekday Cocktails

Warning: this post may make you thirsty.

I think I've found an awesome way to dispell weekday blues - cocktail classes!
Now, I'm nothing but honest (and probably usually overshare) and in this instance I was a guest of Balans in Stratford, but my (many) opinions are only ever my own.

When I left my office to hop on the tube to Stratford, I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were warmly welcomed with a fresh Bellini and a big smile from our instructor and her assistant.

Our instructor was a (cocktail making) mother hen to our gaggle of giggling bloggees. We were taught how to make a variety of cocktails in a beginners shaker - it's really good because us bloggers all love things that we can try again at home, and none of them required special equipment bar the Shaker. We made a Berrylicious (Blackberries, Raspberries, Berry Puree and White Rum);

My all-time favourite Margarita (it was so good, it was inhaled - the nice thing is you can tailor them to your own tastes when you make them):

We then stopped for a snack break with some nice nosh; Gruyere and Spinach Quiche, Calamari, Turkish Pitta and dips, Ham Terrine.

Tried a Red Ribbon (made in honour of Elton John's Aids Foundation, which was lovely);

Then a Balans White Russian, with a seasonal decoration... the decoration kinda worked (if you squint and kind of tilt your head it's two bells.)

They cheerfully accommodated our non-alcohol drinker, and whilst a couple of the mocktails were (by her own admission as they don't often get the request) on-the-fly adventures, two of them looked delicious - the berry mocktail with pomegrante syrup and the layered hazelnut coffee. It led to a really interesting conversation about sugar syrups, and how easy they are to make at home and flavour with your chosen ingrediant. Future Challenge accepted.

Oh, and apparently Pumpkin Spice Syrup is really good in cocktails. Second Future Challenge accepted and ingredients ordered..

One of the best things about this particular restaurant - the vicinity to public transport links. You can get just about anywhere, as long as it's in London or Essex, and you are willing to make a few changes.

There are a few branches of Balans, dotted over London and Miami, see the Balans Website for further details. The Cocktail classes were well organised, are held regularily, cost £39.95 and I think for the quality pretty good value for money; 5 drinks, great nibbles and some really interesting tuition. And you get to Ghetto Dump (it's the way you pour the cocktail into the glass, fyi).

There are a few ladies who I'm going to round up & suggest we hit another one of the branches up. Practice makes perfect after all.

I've also got a possible Margarita night planned in my 101 in 1001 goals.

The ladies I met have some awesome blogs: Simply Foods, Botanical Baker, Food I Fancy, Pebble Soup and Ladies in Blogging a UK blogging network.

What is your favourite Cocktail? Have you ever tried a Mocktail?

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