Let’s talk about something we can all agree on. Chocolate. More specifically, that week in October when Britain collectively decides it’s fine to eat a little more than usual.
National Chocolate Week lands every October, normally in the middle of the month. It runs for seven days and has become a fixture in the UK calendar. It brightens up autumn when the nights draw in and the rain feels endless.
The celebration has been around for more than a decade. Chocolatiers and chocolate makers host tastings, talks, and demonstrations. Hotels and restaurants get involved with themed menus and desserts. Shops release special products and limited editions. What began as a small campaign has grown into something that reaches right across the country.
Where It All Started
The purpose of the week is simple. To celebrate quality chocolate. Not just the everyday bars you grab from a corner shop, but the carefully made chocolate that shows just how versatile it can be.
National Chocolate Week began here in the UK but soon spread further. People love chocolate everywhere. That’s not surprising, but it helps to have a dedicated time to pause and enjoy it properly.
There are other chocolate celebrations in the calendar too. World Chocolate Day in July. International Chocolate Day in September. There is another National Chocolate Day in the US in October. But the UK’s Chocolate Week is different because it stretches over several days and brings communities, producers, and consumers together.
What People Do During Chocolate Week
There’s no single way to celebrate. Some book tickets to tasting events or workshops. Others just treat themselves to a new bar they’ve never tried before.
In larger cities, you’ll often find chocolate tours, where guides take you between shops and cafés, sharing stories as you sample along the way. Local chocolatiers often launch limited editions or experiment with flavours they’ve been developing.
Restaurants sometimes create three-course menus where every dish includes chocolate in some form. It sounds unusual, but cocoa works well in savoury sauces as much as it does in puddings.
Plenty of people also keep it simple at home. They’ll invite friends over, everyone brings a different box or bar, and the group compares and argues over which is best. Sometimes the most enjoyable celebrations are the least complicated.
Pairing Chocolate With Other Things
Cheese and Chocolate
Cheese is one of the more surprising partners for chocolate. Dark chocolate with mature cheddar balances sharpness and richness. Blue cheese with milk chocolate blends salty with sweet. Brie with white chocolate is creamy meeting creamy, indulgent without feeling heavy.
Coffee and Chocolate
These are natural partners. Both come from similar regions, share flavour notes, and complement each other. A square of dark chocolate with your morning coffee makes sense as much as it tastes good. Matching origin beans and chocolate can highlight subtle flavours you might not notice otherwise.
Tea and Chocolate
Tea isn’t mentioned as often, but it works just as well. Earl Grey complements milk chocolate, its bergamot balancing the sweetness. Green tea brings out delicate flavours in white chocolate. Strong breakfast tea with dark chocolate is a solid pairing on a cold afternoon.
Fruit and Chocolate
Strawberries and chocolate are the classic choice, but raspberries, figs, and cherries all bring out different qualities. Dried fruit is another favourite. Dates filled with dark chocolate, apricots dipped in milk chocolate, or prunes paired with chocolate all work beautifully.
Nuts and Chocolate
Almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios pair well with all types of chocolate. Salted peanuts with chocolate bring that perfect balance of sweet and salty. Sea salt sprinkled on dark chocolate works the same way, intensifying the taste rather than fighting it.
Spice and Chocolate
Spice brings history into the mix. Chilli and chocolate go back to the Aztecs. A little heat changes how chocolate tastes, opening up deeper flavours. Start mild if you’re new to it and build up as you get comfortable.
Different Ways To Celebrate
You don’t need to spend much to make the most of Chocolate Week. Visit a local chocolatier and talk with them about their work. Host a tasting at home with a few bars of different percentages or origins. Try baking something yourself, whether it’s brownies, a mousse, or hot chocolate made from proper chocolate instead of powder.
Learn more about how chocolate is made. From cacao pods to finished bar, the process is long and skilled. Understanding it makes you appreciate the end result more.
Support smaller producers while you can. They often rely on events like Chocolate Week to reach new customers. Workshops are another option if you want to get hands-on. They’re fun, practical, and you usually get to eat the results.
Even at home, you can experiment. Pair chocolate with whatever you already have in the cupboard. Cheese, fruit, wine, tea. Take notes and discover what works for your taste.
Mrs Tilly’s Belgian Chocolate Fudge
Among the treats worth highlighting is our Belgian Chocolate Fudge . It’s one of our proudest products. It’s handmade in small batches with Belgian chocolate. That matters because Belgian chocolate has a long reputation for quality. Smooth, well-tempered, and full of flavour.
The fudge is rich without being too sweet, with a texture that balances grainy and smooth. Every bite carries the chocolate flavour through. It isn’t fudge with chocolate added, it’s true chocolate fudge.
The 150g gift box is an ideal size. Enough to share, though many people happily keep it for themselves. The packaging makes it easy to give as a gift too, whether for Chocolate Week or any other occasion.
We don’t cut corners. No artificial shortcuts, just butter, sugar, milk, and chocolate prepared traditionally. It takes longer, but the difference is clear when you taste it.
Belgian Chocolate Fudge also pairs beautifully. Try it with strong coffee, sip it alongside a glass of port, crumble it over ice cream, or enjoy it with whisky. It’s versatile and indulgent.
Related: Crafting the Perfect Sweet Gift for World Teachers’ Day
Making The Most Of The Week
Chocolate Week is what you choose to make of it. You can book events, explore new flavours, or simply take time to savour what you already enjoy.
Try something unfamiliar. A different cocoa percentage, a new origin, or a flavour combination you’d normally avoid. Pay attention to the experience. Notice the texture, how the flavour develops, and what lingers afterwards.
Share it. Chocolate is often better as part of a social moment. Taste together, compare notes, and see how differently each person describes the same bar. Don’t overthink it, though. Sometimes the simplest choice is best. A basic bar can be as satisfying as anything more complex.
Think about the ethics, too. Choosing fair trade or transparent producers makes a difference for cacao farmers. Learning where your chocolate comes from deepens the experience of eating it.
Cooking is another way to celebrate. Try a proper chocolate cake, experiment with savoury recipes that use cocoa, or create your own hot chocolate blend.
Why Chocolate Week Matters
On the surface, it looks like marketing. A chance to sell more chocolate. But the reality is bigger.
The week gives small producers visibility. It helps people learn about chocolate as a craft rather than just a snack. It brings communities together through events, and it can support fairer supply chains when people choose ethical products.
In a world that often feels heavy, taking time to celebrate something simple like chocolate matters.
Final Thoughts
National Chocolate Week returns this October. Mark it in your diary. Plan a tasting, try a pairing, or visit a chocolatier. Share the experience with friends and family.
And if you want something special, our Belgian Chocolate Fudge is ready. A treat for yourself, a gift for someone else, or something to enjoy while raising a glass during Chocolate Week.
Most of all, take the time to enjoy it. That’s the point. Good chocolate, shared and appreciated.
Feel free to visit our online store to explore more authentic Scottish sweets.
