Six of the best for chocoholics (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Six of the best for chocoholics

7:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Lifestyle

Six of the best gadgets and gizmos on a theme. This week: Six of the best gadgets for chocoholics.

By Peter Jenkinson

The origin of chocolate dates back 4,000 years, but it's unlikely you'd have been a big fan of the not-so-sweet treat then, even the name means "bitter water".

But in 1824 John Cadbury helped alter the way chocolate was processed and thus started the explosion of variety of bars, flavours, shapes and sizes that are available today.

So, take your love of the treat to new levels with one of these slightly over-the-top accessories - they're sure to enhance your eating experience during National Chocolate Week (October 8-14).

Golden Ticket - Chocolate-making Kit - £14.99 from www.firebox.com

If you fancy trying your hand at creating your own chocolates, this set is about the easiest way to go about it. There's everything you need - cacao mix, agave nectar, paper moulds - to create plenty of organic and utterly delicious treats.

Drink Me - Chef'N Hot Chocolate Pot - £29.99 from www.lakeland.co.uk

This ceramic and silicone pot has near-magical properties that transform your milk and chocolate powder of choice into a thick, creamy beverage. OK, so it's a battery-operated mixer that froths your concoction, but it works wonders - now just add the marshmallows.

Candy Time - American Selection - £17.99 from www.firebox.com

Most people will recognise one or more of these chocolate treats from the US of A, and now, for a fraction of the price of an airline ticket, you can treat yourself to a box of some of the nation's favourite candy. Delivered to your door, Hershey's bars, a Tootsie Roll and Musketeers are among the selection of confectionery available to order.

Make Me - Magic Choc - £4.99 from www.cybercandy.co.uk

We really must insist that you play with this particular mouldable chocolate and, despite what you might initially think, it does taste rather good. There's plenty of Belgian white, dark and milk chocolate in this starter pack for a play-date activity; it's a relatively new craze that, perhaps not surprisingly, is proving very popular among kids.

Dip In - Chocolate Fondue Set - £14.99 from www.argos.co.uk

The fondue set itself conjures up quite a retro feel but it's still a great idea for parties. Give your sweet ingredient a good melting and then grab one of the mini forks to enjoy some chocolate-covered marshmallows or strawberries.

Roll Up, Roll Up - Fairground Chocolate Fountain - £22.49 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

For something a little more entertaining on the chocolate-indulgence front, grab one of these mini marvels and impress your guests. There's little doubt that it could get a bit messy but that's half the fun!

App of the week: Chocolate Travel - £1.99 at iTunes

For serious chocolate lovers, this'll prove an invaluable app. As you jet around the world, it guides you to local chocolate landmarks, festivals and museums, as well as offering a range of quirky and interesting facts on the cocoa bean