Have Hotel Chocolat already gone downhill?

[NotmySundaybest]

Look forward to our Xmas large box of this every year but this year they just don't seem as good or is it just me?

Only the dark chocolate ones are good. The others are just little sugar bombs.

I thought the dessert selection box was really indifferent. Everything was similar sludgy chocolate, no outstanding taste. I don't think I'd bother buying them again!

I’ve noticed all chocolate doesn’t taste right these days

Haven't they been bought out by someone? Probably affected the quality. Shame.

It's been grim for years

They’ve been taken over by Mars.
We had the advent for two, it was ok-ish, but not as flavoursome as I thought it would be. But I thought I’m comparing it with some artisan Belgian chocolate which we just finished, and that’s why it paled in comparison.

I have a box of ‘Everything’ and another one I can’t remember which, I get them every year paired up with a book as presents. I think I might have to change that particular tradition 😂.

Same. So many companies keep changing their recipes. Everything just tastes like sugary plastic now.

I’ve always thought it was horrible and tastes really cheap. If I’m unfortunate enough to be given some it goes straight in the bin, and I love chocolate.

I used to love their chocolate but I bought an advent calendar for DH this year and was really surprised by how rubbish the chocolate tasted.

When they first opened, I thought it was flavourless rubbish. Then it went through a period of being really good. And now it’s back to being plasticky crap. I can’t work out why - there’s no palm oil, which is the usual reason.

The advent calendar was waxy. I won’t buy from them again as it is uneven.

Hotel Chocolat used to be my favourite chocolates. A real treat until …

Last year (at Christmas) I bought several “H” boxes and the one I kept for myself I absolutely hated.

The fillings had no flavour and the chocolate was fatty and cloying on the palate.

I complained, sent the box back and was rewarded with a voucher to obtain more chocs which I gave away. Have to say though, their Customer Service was expedient and friendly.

I believe they use Palm Oil in their chocolate now and to add insult to injury, have been bought out by Kraft.

Tasteless claggy chocolate which I’ll never buy again.

They’ve been bought out by Mars so the quality has declined. There have obviously been changes to the production processes - their chocolates used to be labelled free from gluten and dairy, but now they’re a may contain. Disappointing for everyone with allergies, but it points towards lax procedures in the factory and changes to ingredients.

Not worth the money, Lidl is better

They remind me a bit of thorntons chocolate now.

DH and I have just had this very same conversation after munching our way through the Christmas sleekster which was a gift. Something has definitely changed - and I assume it’s to do with the takeover by Mars. Still no palm oil on the label but I did notice both coconut and Shea. We have a box of M&S chocs which are better, but the Lidl chocolate I have is winning out this year.

it’s basically the modern day Thorntons - sold out and will now go to the dogs (not literally, I don’t have dogs but also I know you can’t give them chocolate).

I think the change predates the Mars buy. But maybe they were cutting production costs before, to make themselves more attractive to a prospective buyer.

I'd bought a Christmas Sleekster and DH commented today how much caramel is in it. Probably a cheaper filler than other options?

I've had a couple and didn't feel like a treat, so won't be buying again!