Cornwall

I Should Coco Artisan Chocolate, St. Ives

I Should Coco Artisan Chocolate, St. Ives

When in St Ives and pottering about, make sure you set your course for I Should Coco. An artisan chocolate shop nestled within the picture-perfect streets of St Ives and only a stone’s throw from the sea, it’s one of the best places to go in Cornwall for melt-in-your-mouth treats. 

Producing the kind of chocolate that always seems to whisper “one more piece”, I Should Coco chocolate shop in St Ives is a place of wonder. Handmaking chocolates daily in their kitchen – which you can see inside the shop – they specialise in creating the freshest chocolates using Cornish ingredients – including cream, fruit, sea salt, honey and fizz to name a few. Only ever using real chocolate, their dribble-worthy creations contain no preservatives or additional chemicals so all you get is a super smooth pure chocolate. Yum.

Originally, making chocolate began for the owners of I Should Coco as a hobby at their local farmers’ market. Yet as demand rose, Kev and Ann made the decision to became full-time, professional chocolatiers. Moving from Edinburgh to the gorgeous seaside town of St Ives, they took the plunge with their own shop and I Should Coco opened in 2008. With a commitment to handmaking the most delicious chocolates in the South West, they have dedicated themselves to producing the most mouth-watering creations ever since.

One of the best things about I Should Coco’s chocolates is that they are all made with 100% cocoa butter and have a high cocoa content. As part of the shop’s diverse range of products, you can buy all sorts of fantastic variations including bags, bars and slabs of chocolate. There are truffles and buttons, chocolate letters and edible shoes, arty slabs and seasonal specialities – and that’s just skimming the surface. With dark, milk, white, flavour-infused and vegan options all available, you’ll quickly find yourself lost for choice.

For inspiration, the salted caramel truffle simply must be bulk bought – you won’t be able to get enough. One of the most bizarre but most popular combinations, is the chilli and tequila chocolate. Meanwhile, the single origin bars with cocoa beans from Peru, Arriba, Java and Ecuador all enjoy subtle flavours and distinct differences that vary with the type of beans, soil, altitude of their origins. The Arriba bar is a particular tongue sensation for its creaminess (top tip: if your patience allows, let it dissolve on your tongue and it will unleash hints of exotic spices). 

For a more personal experience, I Should Coco also offer personalised options for chocolate slabs and shapes – though you’ll have to order these in advance. Or, if you fancy getting really creative, I Should Coco also run chocolate workshops from their kitchen in St Ives which are seriously worth booking in for. The science of chocolate is such an amazing thing, and you may learn a new depth of appreciation for the art of the chocolatier. You’ll certainly appreciate the finished product anyway, though we’re not sure how long you’ll be able to wait before polishing it off… 

I Should Coco are open from 10.00am to 5.00pm every day, with some seasonal closures. 

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury retreats in St. Ives.

Website | I Should Coco, 13 Tregenna Place, St Ives, TR26 1SD | 01736 798 756

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