When it comes to chocolate-covered nuts, my not-so-vast experience is limited to tasting chocolate peanuts, chocolate Brazil nuts, and I think of one occasion, chocolate macadamia nuts.
Until now, I didn't know chocolate walnuts were even a thing. That was until Walnut Tree Gifts got in touch with me to introduce their collection of chocolate-covered fruits and nuts. That's right, Walnut Tree sent me chocolate-covered walnuts!
But are they a gift worth buying this Christmas? Are they something a bit different to snack on through the winter months? I put a 270g gift box through its paces.
Packaging
The walnuts are packaged inside a sturdy board gift box. The red box features an intricate delicate golden pattern to it and is sealed with a decorative red Walnut Tree logo ribbon with gold trim.
A plastic window looks through the the cocoa-dusted chocolate-covered walnuts inside. I have a pet peeve of chocolate gifts and tubs presented in disproportionately oversized packaging. As you can see, this box of chocolate walnuts is filled to the brim, which is wonderful to see.
The base of the box has a shiny gold finish. A white label on the rear contains the ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information. It also serves as a means to affix the ribbon to the box to keep the box securely closed during transit.
Walnut Tree Chocolate Covered Walnut Halves ingredients:
Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass, lactose (milk), soya lecithin (milk), natural vanilla aroma), walnuts, cocoa dust. Cocoa solids: 30% minimum (milk chocolate).
The chocolate covered walnuts contain around 47% sugars. Obviously it contains nuts, but it also carries a note to advise it is packed in a factory that handles sesame, peanuts and other tree nuts.
One other aspect of the label I really like is the statement on reducing waste. The label asks to "please recycle" and gives suggestions for each component. It recommends to recycle the paper lid, content label, and clear window (which is made of PET 1 plastic), and it suggests you might want to upcycle the ribbon and gold card.
Walnut Tree Chocolate Covered Walnut Halves Review
A lovely nutty, buttery chocolatey smell wafts from the box as soon as you lift the lid.
The walnut halves are drenched in milk chocolate and then dusted in cocoa powder, so they have a matt finish to them.
They taste as good as they look too. Walnuts have a tendency to be quite earthy and bitter, and indeed that's the case here. However, as soon as those qualities reach your palate, the sweet, creamy milk chocolate swoops in. It helps to balance out the bitter quality and turn this humble nut into quite the delicacy. The cocoa powder serves to enhance the general chocolatey flavours from the sweet milk chocolate.
I'd have liked to see a fruitier, higher cocoa percentage used here to ramp up the richness, but that may well impact on the careful balance between sweet and savoury created in its current form.
I can't believe this is the first time I've tasted chocolate covered walnuts and it certainly won't be the last time. I love the combination of the sweet and creamy milk chocolate contrasted with the slightly bitter walnuts. It works so well. Be warned though, it takes discipline not to scoff the whole lot in one go. I limited myself to a handful at a time, but as they're so moreish, I couldn't resist diving back in.
I think these are perfect for giving as a gift. The chocolate-covered nuts are presented in a lovely red gift box finished with a decorative ribbon. The packaging oozes stylishness, and the taste does not disappoint. The walnut flavour stands proud and centre and is simply enhanced by the addition of a sweet milk chocolate jacket.
You don't have to wait until Christmas though as these are also perfect for snacking on. Mine paired wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed dark coffee, or a mug of hot English Breakfast Tea.
Walnut Tree Chocolate Covered Walnut Halves Review
RRP: £8.00 | Walnut Tree | Shop now
Walnuts are notorious for a bitter edge and while these are no different, the milk chocolate adds a lovely sweet and creamy flavour that helps to balance this out. This box is well-presented, and is ideal for giving as a gift (or keeping as a sneaky treat).
Where to Buy Online
You can buy a gift box of cocoa-dusted milk chocolate covered walnut halves on the Walnut Tree website here.
DISCOUNT CODE
Walnut Tree have kindly shared a 10% discount voucher code for Chocolatier.co.uk readers to use on their Christmas purchases. Just use code WALNUTLY10 at the checkout to receive 10% off your order. This code is valid on orders placed before 24th December 2020.
Not a walnut sort of person? Walnut Tree stocks a wide range of chocolate covered fruits and nuts which you can see here. The company also supplies Rosh Hashanah gifts, Halal treats, Kosher delicacies, gluten-free nibbles as well as vegan products for Christmas and all year around.
What's your favourite chocolate covered nut? Let me know your top picks in a comment below.
