celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Celebrating Manitoba Day on May 12th always gives me a great opportunity to celebrate the growth and diversity of Manitoba-made chocolate. In this post, I’d like to welcome the newest contributor to the Manitoba chocolate scene.
I first met Amanda Green of the Melt Chocolate Company at the Everything Chocolate Event in Winnipeg in 2018.
The Melt Chocolate Company was founded in 2018 by Amanda Green of Winnipeg–a former Principal Dancer with the world renown Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Devastated by a hip injury that ended her dancing career far too early, Amanda choose to find a new outlet for her creativity and artistry in the world of artisanal chocolate. From a small commercial kitchen in Winnipeg, she makes a growing number of beautifully handcrafted truffles including the signature Hibiscus Rose housed in white chocolate and the Salted Tequila Lime enrobed in a 70% dark chocolate. Although I generally gravitate toward dark chocolate, I truly love the creamy texture of the Hibiscus Rose and the caramel notes found in the Cacao Barry Zephyr White Chocolate.
We featured the Hibiscus Rose Truffles of Melt Chocolate at our celebration of Manitoba-made chocolate on May 11, 2019, and they were extremely popular with the attendees. These are truly a work of chocolate art.
Working with couverture from Cacao Barry, Amanda has chosen to join the ranks of hybrid chocolatiers like Decadence Chocolates and Confections Inc. of Winnipeg, The Chocolate Lab of Calgary, Alberta, and Adorable Chocolat of Shediac, New Brunswick, who love the Cacao Barry brand and have used it to create their own personalized three-origin Or Noir recipe with guidance from Cacao Barry’s chocolate lab located just outside of Paris, France.
This is the custom couverture that Cacao Barry has developed for Winnipeg’s Melt Chocolate Company.
I am thrilled that my hometown of Winnipeg has become a chocolate destination for chocolate lovers from around the world to explore with Manitoba-made chocolate from Morden’s of Winnipeg, Chocolatier Constance Popp, Decadence Chocolates, and Aschenti Cocoa–all featured in exclusive posts on this site and featured at the exclusive 2019 Manitoba Day chocolate tasting. In my work with Chocolatour, I have made an effort to feature chocolate from destinations off the beaten path, and that can certainly be said about Winnipeg, a city of 700,000 set in the geographic centre of Canada. So, welcome Melt Chocolate Company. Welcome to the #LoveLocalMB movement, and may you sweeten the the chocolate stage in Winnipeg for many years to come.
COVID update at melt chocolate company
With COVID-19 putting Manitoba in a near-lockdown for much of 2020, Amanda has had time to develop more flavours of her handmade truffles. Visit her site for a listing of the current flavours, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact Amanda and she’ll be happy to create a custom flavour for you. #ShopLocalMB
I absolutely loved the Hibiscus Rose truffle, tasted at the Manitoba Day chocolate and wine pairing at Evergreen Gate. Would love to try the dark chocolate and lime sometime! Thank you for introducing me to these and other local chocolate delicacies!
Thanks so much for your comment, Laurel. Yes, we sure had a super array of flavours in the tastings on May 11th, proving that Manitoba is indeed home to some terrific chocolate.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…Chocolatouring in North Vancouver
The Hibiscus Rose truffle was almost too pretty to eat! So beautifully decorated. I loved the creamy centre and delicate taste. I would definitely purchase this one. The evening was as educational as it was tasty! Thank you for passing on your love of chocolate!
Thanks so much for attending the event, and for sharing your thoughts, Delores. I’m so glad you enjoyed it all. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Doreen, we loved this piece on Manitoba made chocolate. We are actually planning our first Canadian city visit this summer, in Quebec City. We hope to find some nice chocolatiers there.
Thanks so much for your comment, Jeff & Crystal. You will love Quebec City! It’s a breathtakingly beautiful city filled with history and French culture (so brush up on your French!) And yes, there is lots of great chocolate to be found. I’ve got a guest post on my site that shares some of the highlights here: https://chocolatour.net/in-search-of-quebec-city-chocolate/. Enjoy your trip. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Happy Manitoba Day — belatedly. Hope you enjoyed your favorite chocolates to celebrate. Melt’s chocolates look delicious and so pretty. Yay for Amanda Green!
Thx for the good wishes, Cathy. Yes, the special salute to Manitoba Day chocolate event was amazing. I wish you could have been there!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Interesting reading about Manitoba-made chocolate. I’m on board with all of it. Pinned your post. Thanks.
I need to get to Manitoba to try some of these chocolates! Those chocolates from Melt are works of art. Definitely thinking I need to get to Winnipeg soon!
Hi Erin and thanks for your comment. Yes, Winnipeg has a lot to offer the traveller. Especially in summer! And we have indeed become an interesting chocolate destination. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Thank you for a great evening last night at Evergreen Gate for your wine and chocolate pairing event. Loved your presentation and obvious passion for all things chocolate! The chocolates and wine were so good and I absolutely loved the cacao tea! I think I might be seeing you in June at your next event!
Thank you so much, Leslie, for coming out to the event with your family. I enjoyed meeting you all! And I’ll look forward to meeting your mother if you come out for the June 14th event in Ponemah. Aaron’s on the Lake is an incredible destination. Be sure to book your tickets as soon as you can as it sold out last tome we did it. See the link on my events page. Thanks and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Those truffles are works of art. The Tequila Lime truffle sounds really good.
Hi Rhonda and thx for your comment. Yes, chocolate is definitely an art form. A delicious one! 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I would never have guessed Manitoba being a chocolate destination until I read your blog! We have Jacek in Edmonton.
Yes, I had Jacek Chocolate many years ago. I’ve got to get in touch with her and see if she’ll send me something new! Thx for the reminder. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I love the way these chocolates are made to look as good as they taste! I think my choice would be the Salted Tequila Lime.
Hi Karen. Yes, the artistry of chocolatiers is often mind-blowing! I am SO looking forward to our chocolate and wine pairing event tonight! 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I always enjoy your columns! Divine descriptions and photos. Chocolate take on a new dimension with your blog…thank you!
Thank YOU, Marilyn, for the extreme compliment. It’s those that keep me motivated to keep doing what I’m doing. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I am certain the Hibiscus Rose chocolates taste as good as they look.
Congratulations to Amanda Green for finding such a satisfying and creative career.
Thanks so much for your comment, Bev. Yes, that Hibiscus Rose truffle is indeed divine. I’m really impressed by Amanda’s creativity and how she brings her artistry into the world of chocolate. I think we will see many more great things from her as she progresses.I hope you will join is for the June 14th wine and chocolate pairing event at Aaron’s on the Lake in Ponemah. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I agree with RoseMary. I have to remember to have some good chocolate at the ready. The Melt Chocolate Company is amazing. I wanna hang with you on your next chocolate adventure;)
Thanks for your comment, Lori. How about joining the small group Chocolatour I am leading to Costa Rica January 11-19? It will be an amazing experience filled with plenty of story opportunities. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I should never, ever read these posts without chocolate–good chocolate–on hand. Gosh, these look delicious. I prefer dark chocolate, but would be very tempted by anything Ms. Green puts together!
Hi RoseMary. Yes, dark chocolate is divine in its own way. But just tasting the Hibiscus Rose truffle will help open your mind to the amazing taste creation that can be achieved with blond chocolate.
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
How interesting to go from dancing to becoming a chocolatier! Fascinating!
Hi Cindy and thanks for your comment. Yes, I really adore Amanda’s dedication to creativity, and not being discouraged by her accident. She is a rising chocolate star to watch!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
It never ceases to amaze me how you manage to sniff out the best chocolate destinations! This time, right in your own hometown — I won’t lie, that would be VERY dangerous for me! I can’t stop thinking about the salted Tequila Lime in 70% dark chocolate. That has my name all over it!
Yep, it’s a good one, Patti. Although I must say that the Hibiscus Rose truffle really has my heart. Paired with this incredible rose wine I have sourced out, it is a match made in heaven. Thx for stopping by. 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Nice that you’ve found artisanal chocolates closer to home to satisfy emergency cravings!:-)
For sure, Irene! I’ve spent a lot of time searching the world for great chocolate. It feels great to know there is now a good variety right here in my home town!
OMG the salted tequila lime sounds insanely good! I was drooling reading this. A big welcome to the newest addition to the Manitoba chocolate scene, and thanks for sharing :-).
Thanks for dropping by, Kemkem. Yes, chocolate, tequila, and line go incredibly well together. I smell a Mexican-themed chocolate pairing event coming on! 🙂
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
Those chocolate truffles look so beautiful and yummy!!
You are so right, Janet! Wait until you taste them!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate
I found Aschenti Cocoa the first time at Pineridge Farmers Market. I have gone to their place of work on Corydon and bought a variety of their bars for myself and for gifts.
I have also gone to Constance Popp place of business on Provencher. Love her ginger covered chocolate pieces.
I am so looking forward to trying yet another chocolate combination. Fell in love with truffles in Tuscany and Hibiscus is my favourite tea combo must be heaven on the tongue
Thx so much for your comment, Janie! I guarantee you will love the Hibiscus Rose truffle, and the other offerings we will share on May 11th. CU then!
Doreen Pendgracs recently posted…celebrating Manitoba-made chocolate