Norwich, home of Sale of the Century and the butt of many jokes is, actually, a lovely city. The cathedral even has some Elizabethan graffiti scratched into its walls that is only apparent if the light is right and you know where to look, but if you do and it is, it’s electrifying to see.
It’s also home to Emporium Norwich, a chocolate shop that sells Brazilian artisanal chocolates. The beating heart of it all is something called a brigadeiro – a Brazilian truffle based on condensed milk. The selection of brigadeiros in (14) different flavours that you can choose, is a wonderful thing. Available in boxes of two (£4.35) to 48 (£73.25), these are more than mere chocolates, but mini desserts. If you’re having a drinks party – do we still do those? – and don’t want to make desserts, these would be perfect hand-me-rounds. (Do note the short shelf life and that they really need to be kept in the fridge.)
While I loved the coffee and walnut, and the pistachio, and the red velvet, what really did it for me was the Romeo and Juliet – guava and parmesan. I have no idea how this flavour was decided upon, but honestly it was amazing. There are also wonderful brigadeiro cookies (coffee and walnut is the one to go for here), £2.90. A bit crisp, a lot soft and yielding, with an oozy centre.
Dipping a toe into Easter, look out for the billionaire shortbread egg (£21.90, 340g), stuffed full of buttery shortbread, caramel and brigadeiro. If my usual recommendations are all a bit too ‘dark and grownup’, you’ll love this.
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