As soon as you learn that Prestat is "chocolatier to The Queen", you just know that they are going to produce seriously luxurious and indulgent chocolates, so we were over the moon when given the chance to review a box of their Praline Truffles.
Reading the information about the company on the press release is even more impressive : "Established in 1902, Prestat is one of the oldest chocolate houses in London. Prestat’s chocolates are all handmade in England and are served at every major state banquet. Prestat’s hand-finished chocolates have been part of the Royal Family’s private and public life for decades – sailing round the world on the Royal Yacht Britannia and being much sought after at state banquets. Prestat also held the Royal Warrant for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother who is known to have had a particular soft spot for Prestat’s quintessential Mints and Rose and Violet Crèmes. Billy Tallon, her lifelong steward, said that he always made sure that there was a box of Prestat chocolates close to the chair in which she was sitting, commenting, ‘She kept Prestat for herself and put other brands on the piano for the rabble!’ Loyal customers have included Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The writer even referred to Prestat in his autobiographical recipe book, ‘Memories of Gypsy Corner’, “I also adore so-called truffles…as Prestat makes them.” " Wow, high praise indeed. So what would we make of them here at The Madhouse ?
As you can see in the picture, they come in a very sturdy, glossy, vibrant orange box and, inside, they are sealed in a plastic bag for freshness and white tissue paper for a hint of luxury. I was so impressed with the packaging that I forgot to count them before we started the sampling but I think there must have been about a dozen.
The truffles are absolutely delicious - extremely smooth and velvety on the tongue, just the right level of sweetness, rich enough that one was enough (or was the Slimpod working again ?!). I had only one very slight niggle - they were too perfectly round. I like handmade chocolates to look handmade and that means they're usually slighly uneven or oddly shaped. But if they're going to end up on the Royal Family's Christmas luncheon table, I suppose that wouldn't cut the mustard !!
We had the "normal" Praline Truffles but they also have a range of more original flavours, including Marc de Champagne and Banoffee.
If you want a taste of luxury, on the Christmas table or as a special gift, they will certainly impress.
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £10.50 for 175g
for more information : http://www.prestat.co.uk/chocolates/chocolates-by-variety/truffles
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these look gorgeous - would love them although they do seem quite expensive!
ReplyDeletethey are expensive but the Queen wouldn't eat them if they came from Poundland !!
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