Disney Springs has opened its latest store, and this one is for lovers of high-end chocolate - introducing The Ganachery.
The Disney owned and operated chocolate shop offers 16 different kinds of handmade ganache with flavors from around the world. The ganache, which is a mixture of chocolate and cream, is flavored with spices and fruit flavors, and then wrapped with custom made fair-trade milk and dark chocolate.
There are 4 groups of flavors. Classic features Coffee, Caramel, Gianduja and Pistachio. Spice, features Cinnamon, Curry and Chipotle. Fruity Floral features Mint, Raspberry, Vanilla, Orange Blossom and Passion Fruit. Trendy features Matcha Zuzu, Calamansi, Dark 65% and Egyptian Sea Salt.
Disney recruited expert chocolatiers to create the custom blends, and most items are made in-house daily.
There is an emphasis on service, with each guest being introduced to the store, with an overview of the kitchen, and details on how the chocolate is made. There are samples available of the ganache, and tips on how to best enjoy the product - no chewing!
The main counter is home to the Ganache Collection, which is where the 16 flavors can be seen and selected. Individually, they cost $3, and then there are various box sizes, with the best value being 12 for $27. Each piece is approximately 1 inch square.
As you would expect from such a premium chocolate, they taste wonderful. Rich, creamy and smooth - chocolate lovers will not be disappointed. At $3 each, they are obviously to be savored, and shouldn't be compared to anything at stores such as Goofy's Candy. The product here is all about a high level of guest service, and premium chocolate made from the finest ingredients available.
Each purchase is beautifully presented in a custom box that further emphasis the hand-made product.
Complimenting the freshly made Ganache Collection is a variety of pre-packaged products. There are nine varieties of custom-made chocolate bars (not made in house) that celebrate Disney's iconic destinations and the “Fab Five” (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck). The Aulani bar, for instance, is white chocolate with pineapple and coconut; the Disneyland Paris bar is dark chocolate with liquid caramel and fleur de sel; the Disneyland Resort bar is milk chocolate with raisins and almonds (an ode to California’s top crops); the Minnie bar is milk chocolate with dried strawberries.
The character pops are $5 each, and the bars $8.
The shop is small, with capacity for only around 15 guests, but that adds to the high-end feel, and gives everyone a chance to admire the beautiful interior.
Walt Disney Imagineering even put a story to the store, with the shop previously being an apothecary, and then later converted to a chocolate shop by a South American couple with a love for the cocoa bean. The music is South American, and the store has a Latin American feel. There are bottles, scales and other props around the room, and a great light fixture made from copper pots and kettles that were traditionally used to make chocolate. With its limited capacity, be prepared to queue at busy times.
The Ganachery is located in The Landing district of Disney Springs, just across from Paradiso 37. It is open daily Sunday to Thursday 10:30am - 10:30pm, and Friday to Sunday 10:30am to 11pm.
Check out the gallery for more photos of The Ganachery in the gallery.
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