Every day for the month of August, the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery is paying homage to the classic winter drink: the hot chocolate. The annual YVCI Hot Chocolate Festival is showcasing 31 limited edition flavours of hot chocolates — one for every day of the month.
Eight unique flavours of hot chocolate are introduced each week, ranging from a classic French toast and cinnamon flavour combination to the more adventurous matcha and vegemite flavours. The YVCI also host 45-minute tasting sessions to take you through the eight new flavours for the week. These sessions sell out super quickly though, so get in and book your spots now.
My plus one and I were treated to flavours like ginger meggs, espresso martini, and red velvet hot chocolates. Not only are the flavours thrilling and delicious, they come with a side of theatre. The ‘frog in a pond’ hot chocolate is guaranteed to delight both the young and the young-at-heart. The mint frogs and jelly take a dive into the warm drinking chocolate right in front of your eyes to create a mint-chocolate flavour bomb.
Other flavours to look out for this year include basil and tomato, Snickers, and lemon cheesecake. Old favourites like the Nutella and Slam Dunk hot chocolates are also returning to tantalise our tastebuds. My personal favourites this year are the espresso martini and French toast hot chocolates.
If the tasting sessions are booked out, don’t worry. You can still kick back and enjoy a ‘limited edition’ hot chocolate and a bite to eat, whilst relaxing in their cafeteria style dining hall.
Need more enticement? I have two words for you: FREE. CHOCOLATE. Yes, there are bowls of white, milk and dark chocolate melts to nibble on as you wonder around this 40-acre estate. The chocolaterie truly does have everything you could want for a relaxing day out.
– Ashanie
Ashanie Perera is a foodaholic and avid eater. When she’s not dreaming about her next meal, she can be found running around the block to continue fitting into her current clothes. @thepursuitofchubbyness
If the Yarra Valley isn’t quite your scene and you prefer the ocean breeze, then make sure you visit the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery opening mid-September. The YVCI also host an annual ice cream festival (in Feb) and a rocky road festival (in May).
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
35 Old Healesville Road
Yarra Glen VIC 3775
www.yvci.com.au
