Paul A Yum-Young

I made a trip to Paul A Young's new flagship store on Wardour street in Soho.  A very dangerous location as it is an area I am around a lot, and how his treats are always within reach!

I absolutely loved the shop fitting.  The room is spacious and light with a sizeable round table in the centre showcasing the beautiful plates of chocolate creations.  I loved this layout as it's much more refreshing than having to peer through a glass counter whilst the assistant would wait expectantly for you at order.  Paul's new store is somewhere I feel I can just pop in and have a look.

However, the chance of me looking and not buying is unlikely.
I allowed myself a select box of four to taste and review.

The first I tasted was a 67% ganache truffle.

I found this chocolate fairly mellow, with a slight spice.  Its texture was light, with a runny but smooth ganache which became bolder in taste after a moment in the mouth. The initial hit was from the cocoa dusting followed its warm softy middle and finished with a slight bitter, dry cocoay finish.  I didn't love this chocolate but that is probably because I love Paul for his unusual flavours...

My second selection was an orange and cardadom chocolate.  

Wow!  I think I could detect a very slight armomtic smell before I bit into the shell but I could have just imagined it! The milk shell was filled with a delicious dark chocolate and the immediate hit of cardomon arrived through the nose with the crunch of chocolate.  This was followed by a citrus citrus burst of  sunshine sweetness.  This cardamon wave followed by orange sweet repeated with the second bite and the flavours rose together.  The centre of this chocolate was firmer than the truffle I tried previously. Fresh yet warm.  Yum.  Can I have another?

I went for one which I couldn't imagine the flavour of, a Balsamic vinegar, pepper, and strawberry.

This chocolate made me say wow, a lot but I can't figure out if it was for the right reasons.  The flavours really did say wow and I found it a really interesting chocolate to try but whether or not I would enjoy to eat several or whether it would be one I would lust over again (orange and cardamom..........orange and cardamom..mmm.) I am unsure.    I popped it in and it kind of did a crazy song in my mouth. BAM smack of balsamic, wave of pepper then a big sweetness not obviously strawberry.  In the second bite the flavours came together for a moment but I was still reeling from the punches of different flavours.  The aftertaste was very peppery and the consistancey was great.  I understand the idea of acidic balancing sweet...and all the flavours were great in the own way but I am out on this one.  Great to taste, but not a firm fav. 

The final selection was easy.  Paul had made a batch of limited edition Soreen Loaf truffles.  A big fan of Soreen meant it was a must.

The smell reminded me of a really rich sugar beat smell. On popping it in to taste there was a rising maltiness teamed with the crunch from the exterior which seemed to be flaked crumbed sugary soreen.  I loved the simplicitic impact of this truffle.  It did what it said, bought all thouse malty fruity warm flavours back but with extra added chocolately goodness. Delicious!