Sweet Moments

A Date For Your Diaries . . .

2012-02-28T23:00:00.000Z

Mothering Sunday is not that far away, this year it's on Sunday 18 March. Don't forget to treat your Mum to a lovely box of chocolates from Sweet Moments, The Belgian Chocolate Shop in Seaford, East Sussex

- we have all her favourites -

Rose and Violet Creams

Nutty Pralines

Oozy Caramels

Boozy Ganaches

Which is your Mum's Favourite?

Chocolate Workshops In Belgium

2012-02-17T21:30:00.001Z

Valentino Chocolatier, our main supplier of chocolates, are running workshops in their Belgian headquarters in the town of Schepdaal near Brussels. The workshops are held on a Saturday morning and can be in English, Flemish or French. They are available for groups of a minimum of ten at €150 (€15 per person).

With the Valentino Chocolatiers - Henk and Sven - you can learn how to make pralines, including filling a mould, piping decorations etc and you get to take home all the products you make too!

Why not get together with a group of 10 friends, work colleagues or family members and enjoy a long weekend in Belgium? There are many places to stay, including Alsput Hotel and Restaurant on the outskirts of Halle or Villa d'Elbeek to name just two.

Eaten all your own creations? Nothing left to bring back to the UK? Then you could always choose some more chocolates in the Valentino shop, there's more than eighty to choose from!

Contact Valentino Chocolatier direct for more information.

Don't forget that when you've run out of the pralines you made at the workshop and the extra ones you bought "just in case" you can always top up with Valentino chocolates from our shop in Seaford, either in person, or via our web shop


Escargot


Marijke


Grote Markt

Valentine's Day 2012

2012-01-27T22:24:00.000Z

This year Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday. New products are arriving daily, but don't leave it too late for that perfect gift, for that very special person in your life!

Open Again In 2012

2012-01-19T20:16:00.000Z

Web and Bricks and Mortar shops open again after annual holiday

Opening Times In December 2011 and January 2012

2011-12-26T18:53:00.000Z

Our shop in Seaford's Broad Street will be open as follows:

Web Shop Open Again In 2012

2011-12-18T20:32:00.002Z

Web shop now closed until Saturday 21 January 2012

Many thanks and a Happy New Year to all our web shop customers from 2011, see you again in a few weeks time . . . .

Follow This Link To The Sweet Moments Web Shop

Sunday Too!

2011-12-04T22:52:00.000Z

We're also open on the two Sundays before Christmas - 10:00am - 4:00pm

A number of other shops will be open in town as well, why not pay us a visit?

Web Shop open until Sunday 18 December, then closed until mid January 2012

Entertainment Timetable

2011-11-29T22:40:00.000Z

Here's the Entertainment Timetable for the Seaford Christmas Late Night Shopping Evening this Friday 2 December:


Evening Timetable

Opening Times For Web Shop

2011-11-28T20:53:00.000Z

Our Web Shop will be open until 10:00pm on Sunday 18 December, then closed for a month, but open again on Saturday 21 January 2012

Panettone

Jamboree In Sweden

2011-11-27T22:06:00.000Z

Last Saturday we were invited to see a slide show, presented by a local Scout called Callum, who had been selected to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden which was held in late July and early August 2011. To enable him to be able to attend, he had to raise money for the trip and, for Callum, that involved things such as arranging Quiz Nights and selling at Car Boot Sales . . . Sweet Moments helped with a couple of raffle prizes along the way.

Along with the slide show, Callum had a collection of scout shirts that he had obtained by swapping with other Scouts at the Jamboree, lots of literature on Scouting in general and a collection of badges and scarves (also swaps). He also had the enormous bag/rucksack thing that had to fit all his clothing, tent and (many) other items that you need at a Jamboree. Scouts do not travel light!

It was a privilege to be invited along and to see the results of the fund raising events that enabled him to attend the Jamboree. Thank you Callum!


British Emblem for World Scout Jamboree in Sweden 2011

Gnomes Are Coming!

2011-11-21T20:44:00.000Z

They'll be in their Gnome Grotto again in Broad Street this year, and open on Late Night Christmas Shopping Evening, Friday 2 December. So, whilst you're in town shopping at Sweet Moments stop by and pay them a visit too. It's organized by the Seaford Family Focus Group contact them for more details and see you there!

Crafts At The Crypt Gallery

2011-11-15T23:10:00.001Z

Christmas Arts and Crafts are coming to the The Crypt Gallery in Seaford very soon, Saturday 26 November, to be precise. They usually have two craft sales a year and this one lasts until Sunday 4 December. Opening times are 11 am until 5 pm every day and they'll also be open during the Late Night Shopping Event until 8 pm.

The Grand opening on Saturday 26 November will be attended by the Mayor of Seaford, Linda Wallraven.

Exhibitors will include:

Chris Ansell - Acrylic paintings on canvas, wood and stone
Heather Bigmore - enamel jewellery
Diane Costello - bags and shoppers made from exotic recycled fabrics
Liz Cottingham - silver, semi-precious stone and recycled silver cutlery jewellery
Sue Edwards - handmade books and paper craft
Jayne Ford - Christmas and garden decorations, Christmas wreaths, tree and gifts
Sandy Hernu - jewellery with semi-precious stones and crystals
Ruth Holyoake - resin-based jewellery, embroideered and up-cycled clothes
Laura Negus - ornamental ceramics and jewellery
Julie Pettitt and Cheryl White - The Happy Stampers - paper craft and handmade cards
Anne Pickering - jewellery, fresh Christmas wreaths made to order too
Tamar Rose - porcelain ceramics
Wendy Rowcroft and Ros Millett - hand-dyed wool cushions, tea cosies and felt bags
Karen Saunders - textile art with embroidery, beads and batik
Robin Shell - silk-covered notebooks and photo-albums with beads and crystals
Dawn Wells - acrylics and watercolour paintings
Margaret Westwood - hand-dyed and shibori silk scarves
Franzi Wieser - hand-dyed and woven scarves

If you're looking for a unique, hand made gift for someone special, or even for yourself, then this event is not to be missed!

Dutch Liquorice

2011-11-09T21:03:00.001Z

Here at Sweet Moments we stock a wide range of liquorice, both sweet and salty. Our main supplier is Kraepelien & Holm who are based in Oosterwolde in the province of Friesland. They began in 1864 as a joint venture between two pharmacists, Mr Kraepelien and Mr Holm, in Zeist. They're still an independent family owned company and produce some wonderful products, that over the years, our customers have come to love. Our Dutch and Scandinavian customers often buy in bulk when they come to visit us, so make sure you get through the door before they do, otherwise it may disappear before your very eyes!

Munten Drop

Dubbel Zout

Turkish Delight Now In

2011-10-20T23:01:00.004+01:00

Turkish Delight from Koska is now in both our Broad Street and on line shops. Prices start at £1.75/£1.99 for a 125g box.

This year we are stocking the following varieties:

Rose
Rose and Lemon
Mixed Flavours (rose, lemon, mint and orange)
Mixed Nuts (coconut, pistachio and hazelnut)
Pistachio
Sultan Delight

Our favourite one is the mixed nuts variety, but the best seller is the mixed flavours variety. Everyone is different! Why not try them all to find your favourite one?

Great Dutch Chocolate

2011-10-12T19:30:00.002+01:00

The Droste Pastilles have always been popular in our shop - here's a quite a bit about their history - taken from their web site

1863 - 1918 From Confectioner To Chocolate Producer
The confectionery business of Gerardus Johannes Droste was opened in Haarlem in the summer of 1863. Customers could buy a cup of waterchocolate and various types of candy, for example chocolate pastilles, officially called 'Pastilles Droste'. The first Droste factory of the firm G.J. Droste opened its doors on August 2nd 1890.

Since 1891 Droste had been able to allocate the complete chocolate process in-house. The cocoa beans were stored in the loft, while sales took place in the retail store. This continued until 1946. Because of a lack of room, the factory was relocated to the Noorder Buiten Spaarne in 1891. It was in this plant were the production of cocoa and chocolate started. This waterside location was very favourable for Droste, enabling the delivery of raw materials and the transport of finished products by boat.

On March 1st 1897 Gerardus Johannes Droste handed over the leadership of the Droste plant to his sons. By then, Droste's assortment had grown to innumerable chocolate figures, pastilles, cocoa, and not to forget the famous chocolate initials. In 1898 Droste was officially entitled to use the coat of arms of Queen-widow Emma. By the turn of the 20th century Droste started exporting to Belgium, Germany and France. In the year 1905 Droste entered the American market.

Around the year 1900 the illustration of the "nurse" appeared on Droste's cocoa tins. This is most probably invented by the commercial artist Jan (Johannes) Musset, who had been inspired by a pastel of the Swiss painter Jean Etienne Liotard "La serveuse de chocolat", also known as "La belle chocolatière". The illustration indicated the wholesome effect of chocolate milk and became inextricably bound with the name Droste.

Jan Coenraad Droste, the son of the founder Gerardus Johannes Droste, retired for health reasons in 1909. At that time businesses went up for Droste and the number of employees increased steadily. During the First World War Droste had to face serious production difficulties due to a shortage of raw materials.

1939 - 1945 Dark Times
During the Second World War, a bombardment by Allied aircraft, caused considerable damage to the cardboard department. As a result, production and sales of Droste declined rapidly and eventually stopped.

1945 - 1975 The Postwar Period
After the Second World War Droste recovered from the damage sustained during the war. In the first years Droste did not want to export its products, due to a lack of raw materials and pre-war quality could not be achieved. This phase gradually changed. It was the availability of foreign currency that lead to an increase in exports. Five years after the war Droste was able, once again, to supply quality products to the home and abroad market.

In 1947 Jan and Martinus Droste, grandsons of the founder, were appointed managers. Under their management, business was improving. In the early part of the 1960s Droste counted a workforce of over 1000 employees. 40 per cent of the production was exported to 60 different countries. In the year 1961 a new cocoa-factory had been opened.

In 1964 the factory received the "Royal" designation. Droste's new name became: Koninklijke Droste Fabrieken N.V. In this period, the plant was automated and manual production now belonged to the past. However, the market changed and difficulties, caused by a huge rise in production costs, caused problems for Droste.

1975 - 1997 Droste No Longer Independent
In 1975 J. Van Nelle, took over the share capital of Droste. With this, the family business became part of a fast expanding food/tobacco group. The joint proprietor of Van Nelle, at that time, was Standard Brands Incorporated from New York. However, the, world-famous brand name Droste still continued as a diverse trademark within this food/tobacco group.

By the year 1977 Droste's ownership was transmitted to Standard Brands Incorporated. Because of the transmittal to an American company, the 'Royal' title had to be taken away from all Droste products. The name was then changed into Droste Fabrieken B.V. By the year 1985 Van Nelle separated itself from Standard Brands, which was, in turn, taken over by Nabisco. In 1986 the production of Droste was transferred to Vaassen, Gelderland.

The old production location in Haarlem continued as Dutch Cocoa & Chocolate Company B.V. A new factory was opened in Vaassen, in 1988. It was also in this year that Van Nelle had been taken over by Sara Lee/D.E. Two years later the Dutch sugar- and food concern CSM, bought Droste.

Within CSM-company Droste was classified to confectionery business-unit, where Red Band and Venco also belonged to. The management now wanted to focus on the accessibility and distribution of Droste products.

1997 - Now Droste Becomes Independent Again
On January 1st 1997 Droste was sold to the Swiss based company, Hosta. Droste B.V, is still an independent company in Vaassen, Gelderland. Since then sales have strongly increased and Droste has become one of the biggest users of cocoa in the Netherlands. 65% of the sales are in more than 20 countries.
Also as a part of the Hosta group, Droste still operates as an independent business unit. DrosteDroste is very much concerned with inventing and launching new flavours and shapes of delicious chocolate, never losing sight of the fundemental credo, "The Real Taste Of Chocolate".

Marzipan? Do You Love It Or Hate It?

2011-09-30T21:10:00.003+01:00

In the shop, when we're gathering chocolates to go into a ballotin, we always check first to see if the customer would like to include marzipan, or not. The reply is either, YES, they love it or, CERTAINLY NOT, they hate it! You wouldn't think that such a small thing as an almond would cause so much emotion. Here's some information from the Niederegger marzipan web site regarding the health benefits of eating almonds:

Did you know that the almond – the main ingredient in our marzipan – is a true multi-talent as far as a healthy diet is concerned? It's amazing what is hidden behind the hard shell of the almond! Consumed in proper quantities, almonds can make a valuable contribution to your daily diet, and can help to prevent such lifestyle diseases as cardiovascular problems and metabolic disorders.

Scientific studies provide evidence that the consumption of almonds as part of a healthy nutritional plan can achieve quite a lot. A 30 g portion (160 calories) contains mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the antioxidant Vitamin E, proteins, dietary fibre, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Almonds are approximately 25% proteins, about 12% fibres and a good 50% fats. The beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids mentioned above make up around 90% of those fats. The calorie content of 100 g is 580 kcal. One advantage of that is that almonds exhibit a high degree of saturation, and the healthy fats have a positive effect on the heart and circulatory system. Cholesterol can be prevented or even lowered.

Moreover, almonds also contain the amino acid L-Arginine, which helps to maintain healthy vessels, thus offering potential protection against arteriosclerosis. Vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, is also found in almonds (26.1 mg/100 g). It impedes the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids by intercepting free radicals.

In addition, almonds are rich in folic acid as well as Vitamins B1, B2 and B6, which are needed for energy production as part of carbohydrate metabolism and to transmit stimuli in the nervous system. Almonds also furnish the minerals magnesium, potassium and calcium for the functioning of nerves and muscles.

In our shop we stock the Niederegger marzipan loaves, in the 75g and 200g sizes, they're also available from our web shop too!

Only 94 Days Until Christmas!

2011-09-21T21:25:00.002+01:00

Well at least that's what it says on this web site: Xmas Clock We've ordered most of our goodies, just a couple to finish off this week and then we wait until late October, when the products will be arriving practically every day!

The hollow figures will be the first to arrive, closely followed by Koska Turkish Delight. We will have three sizes of Turkish Delight again this year, 125g (rectangular), 250g (hexagonal) and 500g (rectangular) boxes. Our mint Turkish Delight will be in bags, same as last year. It's extremely popular, so don't leave it to the last minute to buy! It will be available in our web shop too, around early November.

Koska Turkish Delight

Valor Chocolate

2010-09-15T21:16:00.002+01:00

At Sweet Moments, one of our favourite chocolate makers is Valor from Spain. In 1881 Valeriano Lopez Lloret founded the chocolate making profession, that would later give rise to the company we know today. In 1890 Don Vicente Lopez Soler, the son of the founding member took over the business. After the war Valor improved and enlarged its facilities. It also expanded its market by recruiting sales representatives throughout the villages and provinces of Alicante, Murcia and Albacete. In 1963 a new plant was built in Les Mediasses, Villajoyosa and all the machinery from the old one was moved there, which increased production and extended the range of chocolates. By 1990 Valor started to sell chocolates and exporting them to South America. In 1995 a new extension was added to the current plant and now covers a 22,000 square metre area. This extension includes a bean treatment area, as Valor continues to split the cocoa beans on its premises. In 2006 Chocolates Valor celebrated its 125th anniversary and continues on to today with fantastic tradition and a quality that is truly supreme.

Here are some of our favourites!

Valor 250g Dark Chocolate Bar with toasted Marcona Almonds.

Valor 250g Milk Chocolate Bar with toasted Marcona Almonds.

Valor 250g Dark Chocolate Bar with toasted Hazelnuts.

Valor 250g Milk Chocolate Bar with toasted Hazelnuts.

Valor 300g Milk Chocolate Bar

Valor thick Spanish drinking chocolate. Just like drinking a melted bar of superior chocolate, and deliciously thick!

Our New Autumn Window Display

2010-09-14T21:01:00.002+01:00

Today at Sweet Moments we were busy with changing the window display, away from the summer look, to the new Autumn display! At every change in season, the old display is stripped out and the inside of the window is cleaned, much to the amusement of local comedians, who always insist on pointing out bits that have supposedly been missed, also people that like to wave back whilst I am making large arm movements buffing the inside clean. All good fun though!

Once the glass had been cleaned, a new ruffled brown cloth was the first item to go in, setting the colour tone for the whole display. It's also great fun unpacking some of the wonderful items that have been chosen by us, on our latest visit to Belgium to choose our packaging for Christmas and Valentine's Day. They were chosen at the end of August, it's always quite difficult choosing your Christmas theme, when there's often bright sunshine outside! This time for Autumn we chose a large Farmer pot, a small Farmer holding a pot, a lovely felt watering can with a fantastic sunflower display on the side, small squirrels and Autumn leaves. Belgians are absolute masters of window displays. From large shops to the very smallest, from the most sophisticated products to the most insignificant, all have stunning window displays

http://www.sweetmomentsuk.co.uk/

Sweet Moments Web Shop

2010-09-14T20:57:00.000+01:00

Sweet Moments has a web shop stocking the same products that are sold in the bricks and mortar shop in Broad Street, Seaford. Great makers such as Van Coillie, Gudrun, Chateau Blanc, Du Barry, Jacali, Hansen and Valentino are always available from around 100 loose chocolates. All you need to do is go to the website by following the link below.

A large range of products are available in different categories, select a category, or search for your products using the search option. Add your products to the shopping cart and go to checkout. You can either sign up for a Sweet Moments account, which will help you check the progress of your order, or you can pay with Paypal straight away. Delivery is with Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for. Happy Shopping!

http://www.sweetmomentsuk.co.uk/

Sweet Moments - The Belgian Chocolate Shop

2010-09-07T21:21:00.002+01:00

Top Quality Chocolates From Belgium

Living in Seaford in East Sussex has many benefits, such as the glorious rolling South Downs just to the north of the town and to the south of Seaford lies a wonderful bay, suitable for swimming, water sports, walking, cycling, refreshments and much more.
In Broad Street, one of Seaford's main shopping streets, lies Sweet Moments a Belgian chocolate shop that sells the finest quality chocolates, imported from Belgium. As well as the many delights that are available from the extensive range of very high quality chocolates in the glass cabinets, is a very large range of chocolate and confectionery from Belgium and many other European countries.
At certain times of the year like Christmas, Valentine's day, Mothering Sunday and Easter, the shop is bursting with the most wonderful array of chocolates, that would make your eyes pop.

Hachez 88%

Quality counts at Sweet Moments. Great names in chocolate, such as Hachez, the top quality German maker, now well over 100 years old. The very best selected beans from Venezuela are roasted and conched for 72 hours. A mild and smooth chocolate taste is created without any bitter acidity, either in 77% or 88%.

http://www.sweetmomentsuk.co.uk