DEMARQUETTE CREATE THE EXCLUSIVE HAND-PAINTED  ISAKÉ SUGIDAMA CHOCOLATE
13.06.2008

Marc Demarquette has teamed up with Isaké Ltd. - a young and dynamic company that brings Premium Japanese sakés to the British market - to create a truly unique hand-painted chocolate.

Marc began developing the chocolate back in January 2007 by testing a number of recipes and textures that combined the different sakés offered by Isaké with a range of couverture chocolates and blends.  He finally decided on using Isaké's Premium Red Sake from the Kiuchi Brewery, which derives from an ancient and rare variety of red rice. Its nose of raspberry and plum, a silky textured body and a refreshing finish and aroma of macerated cherries and flowers create the perfect foundation for the secret recipe of the Isaké Sugidama chocolate.

For the spherical shape and name, Marc took his inspiration from an ancient Japanese tradition: in front of every Japanese saké brewery, there hangs a round bush-like bundle of 'sugi' or Japanese cedar branches called 'sugidama' ('cedar ball') which can be traced back to the Edo Era (1615-1868). When new sake is ready, a fresh sugidama is hung symbolising that the sake is well made and calling for the blessing of the gods. The sugidama has become a symbol for saké itself, so Marc decided upon reflecting this tradition in his creation.

The final result is a crisp clean and silky textured chocolate presented as a spectacular hand-painted sphere.