There are some French food experiences that a vegan is never going to have, but there are some that we can really enjoy and one of them is drinking a delicious chocolat chaud. This week I went to a place that does a vegan hot chocolate that’s also organic and really, really good: the shop is called ChocoLatitudes.
I spend a lot of time thinking about chocolate, but nowhere near as much as Laurence Alemanno the proprietor of this stylish yet totally friendly boutique. She has travelled the world’s chocolate-producing nations, much like Willy Wonka, and even did her PhD thesis on the cacao tree.
ChocoLatitudes is the mecca of chocolate: bars, candies, powders, fondue sets, decorative cacao pods, stylishly modern bamboo dishes, children’s chocolate books and even ‘choco vino’. I picked up carmelized cacao beans for myself, which are something very special, and a couple of Valentine’s heart chocolates on a stick for my two little cherubs. The shop also has a few tables and a counter to enjoy a hot chocolate and cookie [let her know you need a vegan cookie.] The hot chocolate is intense, dark, nutty and like nothing I’ve had elsewhere. It could almost have come from a chocolate waterfall. 5€ for the big cup, 2€ to get a small one at the counter.
They also carry Poppy raw chocolates: the owner recommended that the Maca one I bought would be a good one to share as a Valentine with my husband due to the alleged powers of raw chocolate and maca… oh those sexy Frenchies!
ChocoLatitudes is located on Rue Daguerre in the 14ème which is a very happenin’ street and well worth checking out even if you are from another part of town. They also hold chocolate workshops, and I should definitely mention that the bulk of the chocolate is fair trade and artisanal.
Ok, now I need to go and eat some chocolate…
ChocoLatitudes
57, rue Daguerre 75014
Métro: Denfert-Rochereau or Gaîté
01 42 18 49 02
Dear Emily,
Thank you so much for the very nice comments you wrote about ChocoLatitudes.
Today, owing to what she read on your blog, I had the visit of one kind vegan american student and her friend. They appreciated the place and products. Thanks a lot to you !
See you very soon,
Laurence
Oh, the choc looks so rich and yummy! I yearn for a cuppa now. 😉
SOOOOO good. my new obsession. really cute bracelets and stuff too…must get a necklace next time… =)
Emily,
This is a really great site and some very good recomendations. Thanks for them!
I wonder regarding ‘Chocolatitudes’, do they make chocolate-stuff also without sugar? As we in our family try to keep away from sugar as much as possible. Thanks again!
Petter in Swede
Hi Petter,
Thanks for your kind words. I looked at your blog too and it looks like you do sometimes use agave: the raw chocolate here is only sweetened with agave, I believe, and it’s really good… especially the maca one. And of course there’s always cacao nibs etc.