Harris & James: Chocolate Heaven for Norwich Christmas Shoppers

Posted:
8:00 a.m. on December 4, 2021

We all know chocolate tastes great any time of the year, but it definitely tastes better at Christmas. And if you’re looking for great, locally produced chocolate, you can’t beat Harris & James.

The company is offering a range of delicious, festive treats at its cafes in the area this Christmas – and that includes its Norwich Chocolate Cafe, which opened in April.

Daniel Smith, Commercial Director, is delighted to welcome customers to the company’s brand new café during the holiday season. “Everyone will be greeted warmly when they walk through the door,” he said. “We’ve worked hard to build a team of great people, who we’re really excited about. ”

Guests can enjoy a toast or something sweet in the 48-seat upstairs cafe – including a delicious slice of three-tiered cake – with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

“We have a range of three hot chocolates,” explains Daniel. “The Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is one of my favorites and is also extremely popular with our customers. ”

Festive baskets are also available for purchase in the cafe – filled with Harris & James artisan chocolate, coffee, and other seasonal goodies. Customers can also create their own bespoke baskets in store.

The company has won 12 Great Taste Awards for its chocolate – seven in 2019 and five more in 2021 – and three for its coffee blends.

But it’s not just the flavor of its products that sets them apart. Ever since she started roasting coffee in 2013 – at Twyford’s Cafe in Beccles (opened 1996) – the family business has put sustainability at the forefront.

Harris & James ethically sources the highest quality organic cocoa beans while maintaining partnerships with cocoa farmers and cooperatives around the world. The company’s mantra is “more quality cocoa, less sugar,” and it sticks to that by sourcing the best beans and making them the main ingredient, even in milk and white chocolate.

The process of turning cocoa into chocolate takes place on the floor of the house, using local ingredients. “Our real difference is that we make the chocolate ourselves from scratch at Beccles,” explains Daniel. “We buy the raw cocoa beans and sort those beans and then roast them. Then we crush the cocoa nibs and combine them with British sugar and British powdered milk, if we are making milk chocolate. Otherwise, we make dark chocolate, which is vegan.

Enjoy a toast or cake with a hot drink in the 48-seat upstairs cafe
– Credit: Harris & James

Harris & James is also minimizing its use of single-use plastic wherever possible. “Our 86 gram chocolate bars are packaged in a fully compostable cardboard sleeve,” explains Daniel. “And then the chocolate bar inside is wrapped in either compostable material or flexible, recyclable plastic.”

In addition to its Norwich and Beccles stores, Harris & James also has stores in Aldeburgh, Southwold, Sheringham and Holt. And there may be more openings on the horizon soon.

“We are looking for other coastal locations in Norfolk and Suffolk,” says Daniel. “We would like to grow, create more job opportunities, help local economies and support tourism. It’s really important to us.

Harris & James Christmas Butter Shortbread Cookies are available in four flavors
– Credit: Harris & James

Harris & James’ Best Christmas Gifts

Harris & James offers a selection of Christmas gift boxes and baskets for chocolate and coffee lovers, available in store or online.

Christmas shortbread cookies

Harris & James Christmas Butter Shortbread Cookies are available in four flavors: Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Orange, Dark Chocolate, and Adnams Rye Malt with Dark Chocolate.

£ 9.95 / £ 11.99 (Adnams Rye Malt)

Large award-winning Christmas basket

This basket features Harris & James Chocolate Orange Shortbread Cookies; its intense, dark chocolate bars, salted butter caramel and hazeleta praline; and his hot chocolate and house ground coffee.

£ 39.95

Large luxury basket for Christmas vegan gourmets

This basket includes four varieties of Harris & James dark chocolate bars, as well as its hot dark chocolate, coffee stout and house ground coffee.

£ 37.95