Few treats are as synonymous with Christmas as Terry's Chocolate Orange.
I've received one annually since I've been old enough to eat. And honestly, if I didn't wake up to one in my stocking at the end of my bed, I'd probably have to call the whole day off. Dramatic, me?
However, M&S has just launched a product that's given me reason to question our festive family tradition.
The new M&S Collection 85% Dark Chocolate Orangettes are a seriously posh take on the classic chocolate-orange flavour combination. And dare I say it, they're 10 times better.
The ingredients list is refreshingly simple: just candied orange peel generously coated in a thick layer of indulgent 85% dark chocolate. The peel somehow stays perfectly chewy, bursting with bright orange oil notes, while the dark chocolate tastes far more expensive than its £5 price tag suggests. I genuinely can't think of a better pairing for a post-dinner espresso.
Our colleagues are already fully converted. One taster said: 'It's perfectly balanced between bitter chocolate and sweet orange rind. They're addictive, moreish and feel like a proper grown-up version of a Terry's Chocolate Orange, but fresher and higher quality. The texture is lovely and soft with a nice bite to it and I could easily demolish a pack in one sitting.'
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Granted, the individual slithers aren't quite as satisfying as whacking a foil-wrapped Terry's Chocolate Orange on the kitchen counter to split it open (though they're arguably much easier to eat).
At £5 they're pricier than a standard Terry's Chocolate Orange, but I'd happily pay the difference. Whether you're buying them as a stocking filler, taking them to a Christmas gathering or simply treating yourself, they're one of the best festive chocolates I've tried this year.
If you're planning to pick up a box, I'd recommend doing it sooner rather than later. M&S's limited-edition Christmas food and drink launches have a habit of flying off the shelves every year, particularly as December gets closer.
The M&S Collection 85% Dark Chocolate Orangettes are available now in M&S stores nationwide for £5.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
