Shop Local - Sappho Chocolates

In recent years, quality chocolate has occupied a growing niche in the market. Meanwhile, there are so many artisan brands of chocolate that it can make your head spin to research them. Chocolate is now treated with the same discernment as say wine, attributing all manner of flavor characteristics to various types of chocolate: floral, citrussy, deep berry, etc. These nuances come, of course, from the quality and purity of ingredients as well as the process through which the chocolate is created. 

It goes without saying that a great chocolate engages all the senses. It should look inviting, smell glorious, make an alluring sound when we snap it or bite into it, and feel luscious in the mouth. Very good chocolate is also going to cost more – a lot more – than for instance a Hershey bar. 

To make a great chocolate you must take the time to do every step of the process correctly, right from the very beginning. Not only must the chocolate maker select great cocoa beans, but they must work with farmers who ensure that the beans are optimally fermented and dried. Once this is achieved, the cocoa beans must be cleaned, roasted, winnowed, ground, blended, and refined with the highest quality ingredients. All this takes time and attention to detail coupled with a commitment to do what's best for the chocolate every step of the way.

In comes Sappho Chocolates! Right here in our Daytona Beach area, we have a chocolatier who takes chocolate making very seriously. Kathryn Neel, who studied at Ecole Chocolat, and her partners Charlotte Lambert and Darlene Duncan are committed to producing the best tasting and purest fine chocolates available to the public while following the most socially and ecologically responsible sourcing of our chocolate products.

The results are simply stunning. Their beautiful truffles come in incredibly delicious flavors, including Kona coffee, vanilla, caramel, vanilla, Earl Grey (!), and Chambord. However, Sappho Chocolates is always researching and experimenting with new flavor combinations and ideas. Their chocolates contain only the very highest quality ingredients, no fillers, no artificial flavors, nothing but the best – and you can taste it!

Moreover, Sappho Chocolates procures their cocoa beans from growers who do not use child labor and child slavery.  Certified Fair Trade chocolate growers can assure that these chocolates were not made on the backs of little children. Something also to consider when you buy those M&Ms, Twix, Snickers, etc. One of the reasons those type of chocolate products are so affordable is that large corporations get their beans at extremely low prices – beans that were grown with slave labor.

A fun facet of Sappho Chocolates products is their sci-fi shaped confections! You can get a chocolate Dalek (Dr. Who – for you non-geeks), D&D 20-sided dice and swords, as well as Star Trek and Firefly items. Moreover, with 3-D printing, Sappho Chocolates can make a mold for their exquisite chocolate out of just about anything. Planning a big party and want an impressive center piece? Get it made from chocolate and beautifully airbrushed with colored cocoa butter! Then serve it to your guests for dessert! 

Sappho Chocolates is already making a big splash in the Central Florida Area – most recently with their presence at Orlando’s Makers Faire. With their new kitchen now open, they are ready to explore different possibilities and expand their market.

Look them up! Indulge yourself and get some chocolate! With local pickup and delivery you don't even have shipping costs! Sappho's Facebook page

Underrated and Unknown Attractions in Central Florida II

If you live in Central Florida, you know that there is always something fun to do. And if you are visiting, you are probably here to experience some of those fun things. Most notably are, of course, the Disney Parks near Orlando, that draw millions of visitors every year. But those parks are pretty pricey, especially if you are going with your family. 

However, not to fear! Here are some great attractions and activities that are not expensive and some are even free! Moreover, they are not as well known, so you may not encounter hordes of people when you go. 

Mount Dora Museum of Speed

Mount Dora Museum of Speed is small but mighty. It is packed with some of the rarest auto history you’ll find anywhere in Florida. The museum includes an odd collection of cars, clothing, neon signs, signed guitars and a lot more.

The museum is privately owned and operated, so it is good to call ahead and make sure they are actually open. Some of the cars on display are for sale, so if you’re in the market, you might find your classic car gem here!

This quirky showcase is ranked in the top 3 of things to do in Mount Dora on Tripadvisor, and it is a fun activity to integrate in your Mount Dora visit (where you should go anyway, because Mount Dora is awesome!). 

The museum is open Monday – Friday from 10AM-5PM. Admission is $15. The guided tour costs $20 and requires a minimum of 20 people. No people under 14 are allowed in the museum. Call 352-385-0049 to see if they’ll be open when you want to go!

M&M’s World

Yes, you read it – M&M’s WORLD! 

It’s at the Florida Mall in Orlando. 

You can meet life-size M&M characters! In person!  The M&M World is a fun shop to explore with some interactive exhibits but the M&M guys are what make this retail experience a must see if you’re at the mall.

There is a lot of stuff to see and buy – and of course there are M&M’s. Not much else to say here… M&M’s… mmmm! 

There are a lot more Central Florida attractions we will explore. Whether you live here year round, are visiting, or are thinking about relocating, Florida is THE entertainment state!  

 Creative Florida Living

 Janet Sells

Underrated and Unknown Attractions in Central Florida

If you live in Central Florida, you know that there is always something fun to do. And if you are visiting, you are probably here to experience some of those fun things. Most notably are, of course, the Disney Parks near Orlando, that draw millions of visitors every year. But those parks are pretty pricey, especially if you are going with your family. 

However, not to fear! Here are some great attractions and activities that are not expensive and some are even free! Moreover, they are not as well known, so you may not encounter hordes of people when you go.

The VIBE Tour at Universal CityWalk

Universal CityWalk  in Orlando is a fabulous place for dining, shopping, and entertainment. There is one little-known attraction though, The VIBE Tour in the largest Hard Rock Café in the world! 

This free tour is one of the best deals in all of Orlando. The VIBE tour usually includes the John Lennon Room filled with one of the largest collections of Lennon artifacts, many of them being donated directly from Yoko Ono. The Attic is the other major room on the tour. This room features historical rock artifacts that you’re encouraged to pick up and feel. Tours are between 2 P.M. and 9 P.M. unless there is a concert at the café. To go on a tour, all you need to do is show up and ask a host to take a tour.

Dora Canal Cruises

Mount Dora is a darling little town with exquisite shops and restaurants. You should definitely go. The drive from the greater Daytona area is just over an hour and well worth it. A little known attraction there are the Dora Canal Cruises, of which there are quite a few (here is a list ). 

Try the Rusty Anchor Tours that start in downtown Mt. Dora, passing by the seaplanes of Tavares before entering into the small canal. Dora Canal is lined with cypress trees, passes by a small park and through some of the last untouched property in the Golden Triangle area. Cost ranges between $15-$25 depending on the tour.

Titanic Artifact Exhibition

Are you fascinated by the tragic history of the famed Titanic? Just down the road in Orlando is a collection of Titanic artifacts that everyone should see. Included in the museum are amazing recreations of many of the iconic rooms from Titanic, displaying the opulence of the ship. The main focus is the massive collection of artifacts recovered from the shipwreck. The “Little Big Piece,” a 3-ton section of the Ship’s hull, helps bring home how big the ship really was. This is an amazing, award-winning local history museum. Tickets are $22 for adults. If you purchase them online, there is a discount. Go here to find out about location and other details. 

Whether you live along the Fun Coast, are visiting, or are considering a relocation, remember that there is always more to discover!

 Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells