Montezuma's Chocolates
Founded in 2000 by ex-lawyers Helen and Simon Pattison, Montezuma's began with one little machine and one shop in Brighton yet now boasts a wide range of individual and highly acclaimed chocolates that are still made in Chichester, West Sussex.
Montezuma's by now infamous, dark 'chilli chocolate', was a refreshing surprise when it came on the market and subsequent varieties continue to challenge traditional recipes and ingredient combinations resulting in fresh, quirky products with a twist.
At Infinity, you will find bars flavoured with orange and geranium, sweet paprika and strawberry as well as peppermint and vanilla, vying for attention alongside other products such as ginger and geranium 'Dainty Dollops', a variation on after dinner mints. In addition there are the bite-size 'Vera' bars, crushed pistachio nuts in dark chocolate, or 'Jungle Fever', a blend of sultanas, apricots, walnuts and coconut in milk chocolate: just some of the range on offer in store.
As well as the proof being firmly in the pudding, Montezuma's also have a sound business ethos with their system of 'Trading Fairly' being at the heart of all that they do, as they say, "it fundamentally means ensuring all our business dealings are completed with courtesy, honesty and equity...both at home and overseas".
Further credence can be assured via an environmental award won in 2006 for their work in their factory in Chichester. Here, they carry out small things like re-using their outer cardboard packaging up to eight times, having movement sensor lighting and night time deliveries as well as larger projects involving the re-use of hot water in their chocolate melting tanks.
Montezuma's are passionate chocolatiers with a conscience; "we have never been scared of experimenting and continue to follow our fundamental policy of fine, innovative chocolate made using the best ingredients; always with a liberal dose of love and care"