L’Instant Cacao is a great craft chocolate company making chocolate from cacao beans sourced around the world right in the centre of Paris. Here, in the 1st arrondissement, the beans are sorted, roasted, cracked and winnowed and then refined and conched before being turned into not just bars but a wide array of bonbons, spreads and baked goods. All this is led by Marc Chinchole who has an impressive chocolate CV including being a trained chocolatier and chocolate maker and stints with several leading chocolatiers. In 2018, at 25 years of age, he decided to go at it himself, but not just making treats made with chocolate but to make the chocolate itself as well.
The cacao Marc uses is sourced from Bolivia (Emmoni), Madagascar (Mava) and Cameroon (Scoops.ca) at the moment and is beautiful. Apart from being served in a paper cup (which I hate with a passion), the hot chocolate was beautiful, made with one of their chocolate melted down with hot water so you get the full flavor of the cacao at its best. The store is tiny so best bet is to be very unParisian and take it to go and sip as you walk around the neighbourhood. A few must visits include the beautiful Galerie Vivienne arcade with lots of little shops. Le Grand Colbert or Chez George, both very old Parisian bistro if you are looking for a meal. You can also take your cup over to Jardin du Palais Royal and find yourself a seat there.
L’Instant Cacao, 3 Rue des Petits Champs, 75001, Paris, France. Hours: 11am-2:30pm and 3:30-7pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays only. www.linstantcacao.com @linstantcacao
