Friday, December 29, 2006

You must read this...

Dallas Food has a fascinating and unbelievably thorough report that answers the question, What's Noka Worth? Noka, if you like me are not in the know when it comes to chocolates that are in the $309 to $2080 per pound range, is the Plano, Texas manufacturer of some very expensive molded chocolates and truffles. Not surprisingly, the answer is "quite a bit less than the asking price", but getting to the answer is a fantastic journey. That guy knows his chocolate.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love chocolate... I really do, but I can't imagine paying THAT much for chocolate! Holy cow!

Reid said...

Hi Cathy,

Happy Holidays!

I have to agree that it's fascinating reading. I did have the opportunity to "sample" some Noka chocolate at Neiman Marcus (when the saleswoman was trying to sell me a box). Now my chocolate tasting skills aren't so refined, but I'll just have to say that the chocolates weren't extraordinary. Certainly not worth the price.

Anonymous said...

At NOKA, we consider ourselves to be advocates for gourmet chocolate, so we appreciate the chance to talk about our company and its products.

While the author of that report may not have found us to be worth the asking price, many others have enjoyed our chocolates. For example, NOKA was the top ranked luxury chocolate in the world by the food editors of TASTE.

We've never tried to claim that we are chocolate makers. All of our communications, including our Web site and a small booklet included with every gift we sell, identify co-owner Katrina Merrem as our chocolatier.

But NOKA _is_ "our chocolate." The couverture is made to our strict specifications. We specify the source ingredients, the region from which the ingredients are sourced and the process by which the couverture is made.

NOKA Chocolate is proud of our unique place in the market -- providing people with another choice when selecting a special gift for themselves or for someone else. A gift of NOKA Chocolate is a gift of the NOKA Chocolate Experience. The NOKA Chocolate Experience ensures that magical moments and memories can be enjoyed by both the person who gives the gift of NOKA Chocolate and by the person who receives the gift. Each NOKA Chocolate gift is an experience that begins with the unique and elegantly designed packaging and encourages an appreciation by all the senses including the look, aroma, flavor and texture of our chocolates and truffles. The Optimal Tasting Guide and vividly descriptive Flavor Profiles included with each gift provide each gift recipient with the tools to enjoy his or her own chocolate tasting whether it be alone or a special event.

Cathy said...

Hi Kristen - I agree completely. My guess is that part of the appeal for someone that pays a price like that for chocolate IS the price. None for me, thanks.

Hi Reid!!! How are you? It would be fun to sample some - as a curiousity more than anything. Have a very happy new year Reid!

Well this is a surprise... hello Noka Chocolate. I still say the Dallas Food series is fascinating and informative. And sorry, when it comes to chocolate I'd rather spend my money on excellent chocolate, not excellent packaging.

Anonymous said...

Cathy -- Noka chocolate is clearly out of my range -- but wishing you the loveliest new year is well within my power! May all good things come your way...

Cathy said...

Hi Julie - thanks so much and Happy New Year to you as well!

Anonymous said...

I could never see myself paying that much for chocolate, even if I do appreciate gourmet quality. But then I was gouged for a simple mai tai last night (in a plastic cup no less) so I think it all depends on where your "priorities" are! Oops!! ;-)

Happy New Year to you too!!!!

Cathy said...

Hi Rowena - Happy New Year! Yes, but did you see the size of those chocolates - they're about the size of a nickel and weight just barely over 2 grams each! If the Dallas Food series is correct (and the arguments presented are very convincing), the exact same chocolate is available from the producer of the couverture in 100 gram bars for less than $8.