Sweet Like Chocolate
What does every chocolate box town need? A single-origin, artisan chocolate shop, that’s what! Situated in the heart of Rye high street you’ll find Rye Chocolates, an indulgent shop, bursting with chocolatey goodness! The sweet-success story of the chocolate business began in 2016 with a small broken chocolate machine, a friend’s kitchen, and lots of late nights. Today it is a thriving business, where every item is handmade, and the fabulous array of flavours are tried and tested to get the right combination. Each chocolate and the flavour parring are unique. Much like coffee, the country of origin, its climate, and the attitude of the plantations all massively impact on the flavour and feel of each chocolate. All the chocolate is sustainably sourced and of single-origin, meaning it is sourced from a specific country or region. Working with milk chocolate from Venezuela, dark chocolate from Peru and Ecuador and white chocolate from the Dominican Republic the owners and chocolate makers Toby and Paulina produce over 35 different flavoured bars.
“Chocolate is such a beautiful magic thing to make.” Toby, co-owner, and chocolate maker
Flavour inspiration
Careful consideration is given to the taste of the chocolate bars. Working with the base chocolate, the team then decide on the flavour combination. Taking inspiration from flavours around the globe, Toby and Paulina also source direct from Rye and other local producers, such as honey from the nearby beekeeper. Whilst Rye Chocolates stock a core line of flavours including peanut butter and sea salt in a milk chocolate Venezuelan base and a dark chocolate from Ecuador with pistachio, they also create a range of seasonal favourites which include lemon curd in a delicious Peruvian medium dark chocolate for summer, handmade rhubarb in a dark chocolate for autumn and a huge range of Christmas flavours, such as mince pie, gingerbread and amaretti, for winter. Always looking for the next best flavour combination, they are not averse to suggested flavours from their customers, their strawberry and black pepper Dominican Republic white chocolate bar is testament to that.
Design
Aside from the high-quality chocolate, delicious flavours and variety, acknowledgement has to be made to the bright, quirky and colourful, illustrative packaging of the chocolate bars. Many of the unique designs for the wrappers are designed in-house and the artwork is created by a local artist.
Chocolate galore
Chocolate bars, Hot Chocolate Tins, Brownie Bake Kits, and tempting truffles can also be purchased in store. In addition, Rye Chocolates can create a custom chocolate flavour and packaging for wedding favours, events and other businesses. While summer is here, check out the fresh jersey milk soft centre ice cream, that can be customised in store with a wide range of flavours of chocolate shards and sauces. Delicious, creamy, and not too rich!
