Today we’re excited to be connecting with Milene Jardine again. We’re excited to feature one of their products in our gift guide – learn more below and we encourage you to use your gift budget to support small businesses & creatives whenever possible.

Milene, we loved learning your story, but I think our audience is going to appreciate learning about the product side of your story as well. So, maybe you can help bring everyone up to speed?
Inspired by travel, each flavor tells a story about a different country with the vision to celebrate diversity through chocolate. Women owned and operated, all our chocolates are infused with the finest herbs, fruits, nuts, and spices. Our chocolates are made by hand in NYC, as we strive to keep the art and authenticity of food local. The chocolate bars are naturally vegan, dark (70%), shelf stable and rich in cocoa butter to ensure each piece melts just as fast as a milk chocolate bar. The chocolate truffles are created with fresh cream and butter for a more creamy, indulgent option. Each pair exceptionally well with spirits and cheeses. We work with B-Corp certified cacao partners that implement sustainable practices, add economic value to local farmers, promote gender equality, and are active members in the UN Global Compact. Our virtual tastings all include a donation to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

What’s been the most exciting part of the journey of taking this product from idea to real life?
Creating the flavors is the most exciting part of the product life cycle. The signature collection, “Live by Love,” has five distinct truffles inspired by different cultures. There are a few classics, like the standard dark chocolate from Paris; a warm, orange Harvey Wallbanger number; and the whiskey sea salt from Ireland. But the others are inventive—sometimes shockingly so. “Sanctuary,” a flavor inspired by many trips to Asia, is a searing mix of ginger, turmeric and black pepper plugged right into a hollow chocolate heart. “Goddess,” inspired by business trips to Egypt and time spent in the shadow of the pyramids, is a mint-hibiscus medley.

Is there a core message, value or ethos you are trying to communicate through your branding and marketing?
Even though women are behind most of the cravings for this indulgent treat and represent 72% of the market, the cacao industry is run by men. We want to change this and have more women leaders in chocolate. We are creating change by partnering with other women owned businesses like Virginia Distillery and Cheese Grotto. Our Signature Series Infused Truffle Collection with Virginia Distillery is called Courage & Conviction to encourage women to be confident and take action on their ideas. Chocolate and cheese is a decadent combo that we are expanding with female owner Jessica Sennett from Cheese Grotto. We blended raclette cheese into a chocolate truffle that Forbes called “out of this world!”

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about your product or brand?
We are also a chocolate experience company. Milene Jardine Chocolatier offers tasting events both in-person and virtual where we explore the flavor profiles in chocolate, cheese, and spirits. We pair the unique herbs and spices in the chocolates with each spirit to explore new flavor profiles like our Hibiscus Mint Truffle with a crisp Sancerre Wine and tart goat cheese. With stronger spirits, the chocolate helps to balance the intensity of the liquor and pull forward subtle tasting notes. As quoted by guests, “It’s amazing how the orange in the chocolate changed the Hardy Cognac, it immediately lightened and became so much more citrusy.” Our values of no preservatives, no added sugar, and real ingredients to flavor the chocolates like fresh orange zest and mint create a taste that our clients love. Our Meta pairing last month, shared -“Some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had in my life – the truffles were mind blowing!” Our bars are described as a “chocoholics dream come true” by Forbes. Town & Country featured the truffles for “The Best Boxed Chocolates,” and Food Network promoted us as one of their favorite female founded brands.

Image Credits
BrakeThrough Media