The mountains are alive with...chocolate!

 

My family recently spent a week at Monk's Cowl camping site, deep in the Drakensberg mountains, and we were blessed to be able to hike every day. We have passed this little spot nestled within the 'Valley", as the locals refer to the area, a couple of times, but never went inside. Today we finally did and what a little bustling area, in the middle of the sticks, supported by both tourists and locals alike. 

Beautifully wrapped up chocolate slabs in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.
According to the lady behind the counter, who gave us all a detailed description, the white chocolate has a hint of caramel and vanilla bourbon. I love caramel so this was an instant hit with me, and found it sweet and could definitely taste the vanilla bourbon.
Next was the dark chocolate, my daughter and husband's favourite chocolate. I tried out a little and was quite surprised. Rather than the bitter aftertaste from the usual dark chocolate, it was really smooth and rich. The white chocolate was equally delicious and smooth.



My favorite chocolate is milk chocolate with whole nuts. They did not have whole nuts, however, the blend of the cocoa beans and cocoa butter had a very nice vanilla aftertaste and I bought two huge slabs. We did find chocolate hazelnuts though and Turkish delights, one of my daughter's favourite sweets. The fudge also looked really good and smelt heavenly.

Oh, and they do have diabetic-friendly chocolate, which we did sample and it was actually quite delicious. Hubby found and tested some of their crystallized treats of orange peel and ginger and quite liked the combinations.

It was a beautiful clear morning after some serious thunderstorms each afternoon. The sky was really blue, the foliage very green. It was wonderful to see this place bustling and happy sounds of laughter filled the area. After two years of some serious Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, it was good to hear life back in the mountains. 

Just looking at the size of this piece of land in paradise, it is not difficult to imagine this spot growing with the additions of more local industries.

I wondered who had started this chocolate factory in the mountains and what their story was?  The friendly lady at the counter, who serviced us, informed me it was a couple, Edi and Tammy Ernst who had started this extraordinary chocoholic haven.

According to, Berg chocolate treats bring couple sweet success (Comins 2018:1), the couple both have hospitality experience, traveled the world, and finally settled in the Berg. Comins (2018) writes that the couple was living in a mud-hut, in the Drakensberg when their idea was born, and the rest they say is history. Comins (2018) writes a really nice article on the history behind Edi and Tammy Ernst. 

Of course, I had to stop and check this out first! Gorgeous illustration depicting the region's mountains.

The decor on the outside just invites you to explore the inside. So much love and care have been taken to create an experience.

 

It has a sit-down area to enjoy the many chocolate treats you are spoilt for choice to tackle.

According to their website (2022), they list the following is also available, other than the free chocolate tasting. A combined coffee and chocolate tasting include 'Syphoned brewed coffee' with truffles and chili essence. Would be an amazing winter treat. They also mentioned hot chocolate which they make with "pure chocolate melted through hot frothy milk and top it with mini marshmallows. This is rather interesting, according to the website, they also offer chocolate water which I did not know even existed, and chocolate mousse, always a firm favourite.

The interior of their shop is very tastefully decorated, no pun intended, with an earthy natural feel, to entice your taste buds. All the handmade chocolate is packaged beautifully and laid out well. The staff inside are very friendly and knowledgeable about their product. You could feel an atmosphere of immense pride.

Just loved these big slabs made in the Monk's Cowl and Champagne Valley mold.

Oh, and did I mention there are free tasting sessions, of this really smooth and delicious chocolate. As a woman, I consider myself somewhat of a chocolate connoisseur. Definitely one of the best chocolate recipes around! There are just so many yummy chocolate treats, you are spoilt for choice. They offer chocolate fondues, something we love to do at home and a group had ordered one. My daughter and I so wished we could have stayed to try one out. We now have a good reason to come back.

It was really hot so we all ordered frozen chocolate to go. Chocolate brain freeze. It was really good.

According to their website, they are located at :

Shop, 1 Cedarwood Village Centre, 

R600 (Opposite Champagne Sports Resort)

and their opening and closing hours are as follows.

Shop Hours:

9am – 4pm daily

9am – 2pm on a Sunday

You can contact them on 072 310 3376

Resources

Available: https://chocolatememories.co.za/ Accessed on 2022/03/06 

Available: https://chocolatememories.co.za/chocolate-bar-shop/ Accessed on 2022/03/06

Available: https://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/kwazulunatal/chocolate-memories-shop/ Accessed on 2022/03/01

Comins, L. 2018. Berg chocolate treats bring couple sweet success. IOL, 17 January:1.

Available:   https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/berg-chocolate-treats-bring-couple-sweet-success-12765644 Accessed on 2022/03/4

Warmest 

Kim