By Barbara Arnstein
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and one classic way to celebrate is with chocolates. A great new source for gourmet chocolates, “Enchanted Mountain Chocolate”, recently arrived in Hinsdale, NY. Along with all kinds of marvelous chocolates, it offers classes, such as the “Couples Valentine Class”, in which couples can romantically craft chocolates together. “We specialize in molded truffles painted with colored cocoa butter”, said the shop’s owner and head chocolatier Greg Clark. “This is a technique not found much in WNY but a newer and very beautiful way to display truffles. I make all of my own truffle flavors. Making my own ganaches allows me to be creative, and introduces people to unique flavor combinations. Our ganaches are made with real ingredients. not artificial flavorings. For example, our jasmine truffle uses real jasmine flowers, our lavender vanilla truffle uses real lavender flowers and vanilla, and our raspberry ganache is infused with real habanero peppers and raspberry puree.
A grand opening is coming soon, but the date is not yet set. “There will be a ribbon cutting, and lots of fun stuff, including giveaways and free samples”, said Clark. “The Olean Chamber of Commerce will be doing the ribbon cutting, and we have partners that will be there to promote other local businesses. I plan to have a pre-opening tour on the day of the grand opening, before the festivities begin.”
Greg Clark studied at a chocolatiering school in Vancouver, Canada called Ecole Chocolat, where he learned everything from techniques to chocolate industry practices. “Some of the countries that have inspired my chocolate creations are Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and France.”, he said. “I have been trained by world renowned chocolatiers and traveled through many European countries absorbing their marketing ideas, product lines, and techniques used in creating fine chocolate.”
“We have several Valentine’s chocolates that we are working on that will just be offered for the holiday”, he continued. ” I am working on a strawberry cheesecake truffle, a truffle bar, chocolate covered cherries using maraschino and amarena cherries. I am also working on a chocolate covered cherry that is soaked in Armagnac, in addition to a few other items”.
Several area businesses are currently working with the Head Chocolatier for joint Valentine’s Day events. “I am working with Pfeiffer Nature Center on a Valentine’s Day fundraiser where we designed a Valentine’s Day bonbon that is filled with rose caramel”, he said. “We currently have a white chocolate with rose caramel filling but will be putting this in a painted truffle shell designed for Valentine’s Day. We will be creating products for each holiday and eventually have special holiday packaging and gift wrapping.”
“Enchanted Mountain Chocolate” is open Monday through Friday, from noon to 6pm, Saturdays from 10am-6pm, and Sundays from noon to 5pm. It is located at 4269 Route16 in Hinsdale NY. For more information, see its Facebook and Instagram pages, or email: info@enchantedmountainchocolate.com. The shop’s number is (636) 362-4268 (which is also 362-ENCHANT).