Every December, I seem to get at least one email with purported scientific evidence that chocolate is good for you. Yet, I promise, we weren’t looking for chocolate, we were just waiting for the Red Coats Are Coming parade the other night in St. Augustine … And there was the sign: Claude’s Chocolates. Hand made Belgian chocolate. Oh.
So, here’s my theory. If you’re going to have sweets and other things good cruising yogis and yoginis are supposed to avoid, I say, do it right, with intention, focus and complete commitment to the present moment. Make indulgence an art form.
Claude’s Chocolates in St. Augustine is here to help. In the name of yogic science, infused with the holiday spirit of historical reenactment parades, and out of abiding respect and love for our editor Claiborne Young and his first rate first mate Karen, I sampled the following items at Claude’s and pronounce them worthy of chocolate yoga:
1. Dark chocolate bark with hazelnuts and almonds.
2. Dark chocolate covered orange peel dusted with ancho chili powder.
3. Dark chocolate covered almonds dusted with cocoa.
4. Dark chocolate bark with nuts and fruit.
I’m allergic to milk, but my first rate first mate Michael tried — twice — the soft serve chocolate ice cream.
I asked the lovely lady who served us whether the chocolate is really made here and she said, not here but in our other store on US 1 in St. Augustine. She added: “He buys the chocolate from Belgium, but it is all made here.” Close enough for “here”; note to self-rationalizing self: Locavore virtue added to it tastes ridiculously good.
Is he nice? I asked. “We’ve been married for 35 years,” she replied with a wink. “I think so.” Note to self-rationalizing self: Nice chocolatier, nice chocolatier’s wife, this really is hand-made.
I have two words for you: Go there.
Claude’s Chocolates. 51 King Street, St. Augustine (short walk from Municipal Marina). Phone: (904) 808-8395. http://claudeschocolate.com
Captain Jane
S/V Lady Jane