Sweet Virtues …

With Easter around the corner we decided to catch up with one of our sweetest producers. Sweet Virtues is a wonderful London based chocolate company whose innovative and delicious flavours have become increasingly popular. Part of the reason for the popularity of these products are the fact that they are organic, vegan and beautifully packaged. Any one with special dietary requirements (or who shops for someone with dietary requirements) knows how hard it can be to find deluxe products at a affordable price, that are vegan and organic. These are a fantastic, sweet treat.

Here is a little more about them:

How and when did Sweet Virtues start?
We launched in Nov 2014 with the UKs first superfood Chocolate Truffles. They came about when Carey (Davis-Munro), our Founder, was creating recipes for Ocado’s Healthy Eating site. She wanted to offer an alternative to sugary treats to prove that eating healthily does not have to be about self-denial or indeed less enjoyment when it comes to food but exactly the opposite.

Sweet Virtues Chocolate Truffles and Halo Thins

Who is in the Sweet Virtues team?
Carey set up Sweet Virtues and continues to create healthy and nutritious recipes in her new venture Eat Nourish Flourish. Ed (Whinney) and Mary (Doherty) now make up the Sweet Virtues team bringing innovate and indulgent chocolate to be enjoyed by everyone. As Chocolate Alchemists, they are looking to bring new and unique flavour combinations using only the finest quality natural organic ingredients. But our team although small is supported through collaborations with others so it feels like a much bigger SV family.

Your packaging is beautiful, who is responsible for the design?
We are very proud of our packaging which was designed for us by John at I Want Design (www.iwantdesign.com). Combining bold colours and new font with the Victoriana feel of the botanicals it has allowed us to showcase our innovation and love of natural ingredients.

What is new for 2017?
Our customers said they wanted to treat themselves more often so this year sees the imminent launch of two ‘on the go’ snack packs; the Halo Thins Pouch and Trio Truffle BoxAdd to the gym back for pre or post workout boost, enjoy with a cuppa instead of the sugary biscuit or cupcake or add to the kids lunchbox to put a smile on their face. We are also working with retailers and producers to come up with some exclusive new flavour combinations which we hope to have in time for Christmas.

Why is the fact your chocolate is made in the uk, organic and gluten free

Perfect ingredients for a ‘Treat Yourself Day’

important to you?
We don’t focus on what is taken out but the very special ingredients that are added in and the nutrients they boast. The result has been a chocolate that just happens to be free-from diary and gluten as well as most of the other major allergens. Being organic is about ensuring quality ingredients but also about sourcing ethically from a sustainable food chain. Our ingredients come from all over the world so being Fair Trade too is important to us. Having such a global footprint in terms of ingredients, being Made in the UK is something we have worked hard to retain despite the financial pressures to move production overseas. This isn’t just to minimise the carbon footprint but also to invest in and support homegrown artisan chocolatiers and small business manufactures who in return helped us grow.

What will you be doing for Easter this year? 
After the launch of the ‘on the go’ chocolate snack packs in early April and exhibiting at NOPE, Easter will be some welcome timeout with our families. Ed is planning his belated honeymoon as well as celebrating his son’s first birthday while Mary is looking forward to being able to take the new family puppy, Piper, out for her first walks in the Sussex sunshine.

We hope you enjoyed finding out a little bit more this wonderful company. And hope that you watch them grow along with us.

Have a lovely Easter, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Love and Hugs

La Juniper Team

x