VIRTUAL TASTING EXPERIENCES

Pencil one of our virtual tasting experiences into your schedule for expert-lead  insight into the wonderful world of craft chocolate. With one of our cocoa-experts, you will be guided through the tasting process, enabling you to unlock a world of flavour through savouring some of our favourite bars. Whilst you take a moment to savour our chocolate, we’ll talk you through the growing and making processes, so that you learn the stories behind the beans. 

And if you’d prefer to learn more about the environmental factors underlying craft chocolate, or about how to fully appreciate the flavour profiles of chocolate, then come to one of our specialised tastings for a deep dive into whatever cocoa-related subject you’re most passionate about! 

Click the options below and we will guide you through which tastings to purchase.

Virtual Tastings

Who is this virtual tasting for?

Which tasting do you want?

From £19.95

Which kit?

  • £19.95
  • £34.95
  • £19.95

Pair and Family kits contain milk and dark chocolate

Would you like to add matching wines?

  • + £30.00

Three 375ml bottles chosen to pair perfectly with the tasting

How would you like to deliver your gift?

Which tasting would you like to send?

From £19.95

Which kit?

  • £19.95
  • £34.95
  • £19.95

Pair and Family kits contain milk and dark chocolate

Would you like to add matching wines?

  • + £30.00

Three 375ml bottles chosen to pair perfectly with the tasting

Or see below for a selection of tasting experiences to try – all from the comfort of your own home!

Masterclass Tasting: Welcome to the Craft Chocolate Revolution

Allow us to welcome you to the chocolate revolution with intro to the wonderful world of craft chocolate.

Advanced Tasting: Deep Dive into Taste and Flavour

Take this opportunity to become a pro-surfer of the flavour wave and discover the intricacies behind the science of taste and flavour.

Virtual Tasting Wine Kit Add On

Shop our expertly-selected virtual tasting Wine Kit, suitable to pair with your Introductory ‘Welcome to the Revolution’ or Advanced ‘Deep Dive’ virtual tastings.

Craft Chocolate in Coversation

At Cocoa Runners, we are thrilled to be able to speak to a range of leading experts in the food industry, from chocolate academic Kristy Leissle to food science guru Tim Spector. Click to see our past and future talks.

In Conversation: James Hoffmann

We are thrilled to announce another virtual chocolate chat with the legendary coffee expert James Hoffmann. We will be discussing all things coffee and chocolate.

Wine Society Pairing Tasting

We are delighted to be running a Fine Wine and Craft Chocolate Tasting with The Wine Society. This session takes place on Thursday 16th February at 7:00 pm (GMT), making it a perfect Valentine’s gift.

Corporate and Private Tastings

If you’re looking for something bespoke and intimate, as a special treat for friends and family or for your staff/clients, you can check out our private tasting events.

Recordings of Previous Tastings

Want to get a flavour for our previous tastings? Take a look at some recordings of our previous tastings here.

Gift a Virtual Tasting

Have a friend, family member, or partner who loves chocolate (almost as much as they love you)? Gift them a unique – and delicious – experience with one of our virtual tastings.

Testimonials:

“A really fun and informative tasting with a host whose passion and excitement about craft chocolate was infectious.“ 

Nick, London

It was a superb event and has had a lasting and positive impact. Now I have been waxing lyrical to everyone I know about the issues around sustainability in the industry“.

Sarah, London

“The online tasting is brilliantly done. Fun, fascinating and delicious. I learnt more about chocolate in an hour than I’d found out in a lifetime.“ 

Carlie, Newcastle

Thanks so much for last night, we really enjoyed the session and it was a great mix of information and munching!“.

Florence, Cambridge

“It was really fun to learn some more about chocolate and its origins. I also appreciated the discussion about farmer’s wages and what companies are doing to help improve the situation, it’s not something that I expected to learn about today. The quiz was good too!“.

Harvey, London

Meet Your Hosts:

spencer portrait

Spencer Hyman: Founder of Cocoa Runners

Spencer is an e-commerce veteran whose varied career highlights include translating Monopoly into Japanese, being COO of popular music site Last.FM and setting up parts of Amazon in the UK. He founded Cocoa Runners back in 2013 and has since expanded both his knowledge of and passion for craft chocolate. The growing and making processes of craft chocolate – and how they evoke such unique flavours – is what interests Spencer most.

nick portrait

Nick Saxby – Content and Communication Manager at Cocoa Runners

Nick Saxby has a lot of experience communicating and educating about the environment, both in the wild and in a classroom, and now in Cocoa Runners’ virtual tastings! Nick achieved his master’s degree in Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health, writing a dissertation on the use of cacao agroforestry for biodiversity conservation. Following his passion for craft chocolate, and the wider cocoa industry, he enjoys sharing the history, challenges and science behind the world’s best chocolate with people.

nick portrait

FAQs:

How can I arrange a virtual tasting?

Click on the tasting experience that interests you most from the above selection and, once you’re sold on whichever package you’d like, purchase the appropriate kit. Links and further details will then be sent to you so that you may attend the scheduled tasting event.

Can we choose the date for the tasting?

The dates available for different tastings vary. See our tastings calendar for a comprehensive list of tastings and when you can book them.

How long do virtual tastings last?

Sessions last for about an hour and half, including a quiz and Q&A at the end. Sessions can be a bit longer or a bit shorter depending on how interactive your group is.

Can we choose bars to go into the tasting?

We use a specifically curated collection of bars for our tasting sessions to best illustrate the world of craft chocolate. We don’t offer an option to edit these, but we’re confident that they will have everything you need for the best experience

Is there a delivery charge?

There is a shipping fee for each individual tasting kit. Deliveries within the UK are charged at £3.95 each and deliveries outside of the UK cost between £7.95 and £9.95 depending on location. All kits are sent via tracked delivery.

How can I get in touch?

Click here to ask any further questions.