Discover Hironobu Tsujiguchi’s Chocolaterie: What is Le Chocolat de H?
Le Chocolat de H is a premium chocolate brand created by Hironobu Tsujiguchi, one of Japan’s most renowned chocolatiers.
The brand stands out for its innovative creations that combine the finest cacao sourced from around the globe with traditional Japanese ingredients.
This article will explore the rich history, unique features, store locations, and online shopping options of Le Chocolat de H, making it accessible and informative for first-time readers.
Additionally, we’ll provide details about its participation in prestigious events such as the Salon du Chocolat and Amour du Chocolat.
Whether you’re a chocolate enthusiast or searching for the perfect gift, this comprehensive guide is a must-read. Dive in and discover the exquisite world of Le Chocolat de H.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Allure of Le Chocolat de H
What is Le Chocolat de H?
Le Chocolat de H is a chocolatier brand created by the globally renowned pâtissier and chocolatier, Hironobu Tsujiguchi. From 2013 to 2018, it received the highest accolades for six consecutive years at Paris’s prestigious chocolate review event, the Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat, a testament to its exceptional quality and innovation.
What sets Le Chocolat de H apart is its creative fusion of carefully selected cacao beans from around the world with traditional Japanese ingredients and culture. To maximize the flavor of its ingredients, the brand handles every step of the process in-house, from roasting the cacao beans to producing the finished chocolate.
In recent years, Le Chocolat de H has expanded its commitment to quality by establishing its own cacao farm in Peru. This “farm-to-bar” initiative allows the brand to oversee every stage of production, from cultivating the beans to crafting the final chocolate, ensuring superior quality and flavor.
Le Chocolat de H continues to evolve daily, striving to offer new and exciting chocolate experiences to its customers.
The Dedication of Chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi
Le Chocolat de H reflects the unwavering dedication of Chef Hironobu Tsujiguchi.
Born into a family that operated a traditional Japanese confectionery shop, Chef Tsujiguchi was raised in an environment steeped in Japan’s culinary traditions. This upbringing influences his chocolate creations, which frequently incorporate Japanese ingredients and techniques. For instance, his innovative combinations include chocolate paired with miso, soy sauce, and sake, resulting in unique flavors found nowhere else.
Chef Tsujiguchi is also meticulous about the quality of the cacao beans he uses. He personally visits cacao farms worldwide to source only the finest beans. Each bean’s unique characteristics are then carefully brought out through precise roasting and blending techniques.
Beyond flavor, Chef Tsujiguchi focuses on texture, aroma, and the luxurious melting sensation of his chocolates. His relentless pursuit of perfection involves countless trials to achieve chocolates that provide an unparalleled sensory experience.
The Pursuit of the World’s Finest Cacao
Le Chocolat de H is dedicated to sourcing the finest cacao beans from around the world.
The quality of cacao beans is influenced by numerous factors, including their origin, variety, soil, and climate. Understanding this, Chef Tsujiguchi personally travels to cacao farms globally to evaluate and select the highest-quality beans.
These handpicked beans are then roasted with utmost care, a crucial step in unlocking their full flavor potential. Le Chocolat de H employs proprietary techniques developed through years of experience to ensure that each bean’s unique characteristics shine through in the final product.
By sourcing and crafting chocolate with such precision, Le Chocolat de H offers creations that are both distinctive and exceptional in quality.
The “Farm-to-Bar” Initiative
Le Chocolat de H employs a “farm-to-bar” approach, managing the entire process from cacao cultivation to chocolate production.
In 2021, the brand acquired a 4-hectare organic farm in Peru, marking the start of in-house cacao cultivation. Owning its own farm allows Le Chocolat de H to rigorously oversee the quality of its cacao beans while experimenting with cultivation and fermentation techniques to produce superior beans.
This initiative also contributes to improving the lives of cacao farmers. By purchasing cacao beans at fair prices, Le Chocolat de H supports higher incomes for farming communities.
Additionally, the farm cultivates not only cacao but also superfoods such as pepper, camu camu, guayusa, and maca. These ingredients are incorporated into chocolates to create products that are as nourishing as they are delicious.
The “farm-to-bar” initiative not only enhances the quality of Le Chocolat de H’s chocolates but also aligns with the brand’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.
Unique Fermentation Techniques
At Le Chocolat de H, unique fermentation techniques are utilized to deepen the flavor profile of their chocolates.
Cacao beans, the raw material for chocolate, undergo a fermentation process after harvest, which develops their distinctive flavors and aromas. Le Chocolat de H has refined this process with innovative methods, creating chocolates with unparalleled character.
Specifically, they incorporate traditional Japanese fermented foods such as miso and rice malt (koji) into the cacao fermentation process. The microorganisms present in these fermented foods enhance the fermentation of cacao beans, resulting in complex and profound flavors.
Furthermore, Le Chocolat de H meticulously adjusts variables such as cacao bean varieties, origins, and fermentation durations to create diverse chocolate profiles. For instance, fruity chocolates are crafted using fruit-based fermented ingredients, while nutty and roasted flavors are achieved with the help of koji-based fermentation techniques.
Through these innovations, Le Chocolat de H delivers chocolates that stand out with their unique and sophisticated flavor profiles.
Recommended Products from Le Chocolat de H
Le Chocolat de H offers a wide variety of enticing chocolates, but here are some standout recommendations:
First, their Bonbons Chocolat are a must-try. These elegant and delicate chocolates are not only visually stunning but also offer a rich array of flavors, including ganache and praline. Each piece is crafted to perfection, ensuring satisfaction with every bite.
Another highlight is their Tablet Chocolates. These simple yet refined chocolates allow you to experience the pure taste of cacao. Le Chocolat de H offers a diverse selection of tablet chocolates, each showcasing the unique characteristics of carefully sourced cacao from around the world.
Their Baked Goods are also highly popular. From classic treats like financiers and madeleines to seasonal cakes, the selection is extensive. These baked goods are infused with the rich flavors of chocolate, making them perfect as gifts or for personal indulgence.
Additionally, Le Chocolat de H’s Café Menu is worth exploring. Featuring luxurious options like chocolate drinks and parfaits made with their signature chocolate, these items are best enjoyed in the relaxing ambiance of their café spaces.
Each of these offerings exemplifies the passion and dedication behind Le Chocolat de H, providing a truly memorable chocolate experience.
Le Chocolat de H Store Information
Directly Managed Stores
Ginza Main Store
- Address: 1F, Ginza Hosono Building, 6-7-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours:
Weekdays & Saturday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (L.O. 7:00 PM)
Sunday & Holidays: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (L.O. 6:00 PM) - Closed on: Wednesdays (subject to change)
- Access:
- 1-minute walk from Ginza Station, Exit B3
- A few minutes from JR Yurakucho and Shimbashi Stations
Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs Store
- Address: B2F, Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours:
Weekdays & Saturday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sunday & Holidays: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM - Closed on: Irregular (based on facility schedule)
- Access: Directly connected to Shibuya Station
AEON Town Yoshikawa Minami Store
- Address: 1F & 2F, East Wing, AEON Town Yoshikawa Minami, 3-23-1 Minami, Yoshikawa, Saitama
- Business Hours: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM (L.O. 6:30 PM)
- Closed on: In accordance with AEON Town Yoshikawa Minami
- Access: 4-minute walk from JR Musashino Line Yoshikawa Minami Station
Retail Stores
Sogo Omiya Store
- Address: B1F, 1-6-2 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
- Closed on: Open year-round
- Access: 2-minute walk from JR Omiya Station West Exit
Kobe Kitano Nosta Store
- Address: 3-17-1 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Closed on: Based on facility schedule
- Access:
- 12-minute walk from Sannomiya Station
- 8-minute walk from Kencho-mae Station
VISON Store
- Address: Sweets 2, 672-1 VISON, Taki-cho, Taki-gun, Mie
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Closed on: Open year-round
- Access: 15-minute drive from JR Kisei Main Line Taki Station
Sendai Store
- Address: 33-3 Matsunishi, Fujitsuka, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai, Miyagi
- Business Hours: 10:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Closed on: Irregular holidays
- Access:
- Approximately 10 minutes by shuttle bus from Arai Station
- 25 minutes by car from JR Sendai Station
Online Shopping
The official online shop is just a click away! Access it now and indulge in the exceptional chocolates of Le Chocolat de H.
Le Chocolat de H Official Online Shop
Salon du Chocolat Participation
Le Chocolat de H participates annually in the world’s largest chocolate festival, the Salon du Chocolat, held every January in Paris.
This prestigious event brings together the finest chocolatiers from around the globe, showcasing their exceptional creations. Le Chocolat de H consistently attracts attention by unveiling unique and innovative chocolates every year.
From 2013 to 2018, Le Chocolat de H achieved the remarkable feat of receiving the highest accolades at the Salon du Chocolat’s chocolate competition for six consecutive years. In 2019, their outstanding achievements were further recognized with the Best of the Best Award, presented by the esteemed Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat.
The Salon du Chocolat offers a rare opportunity to be among the first to experience Le Chocolat de H’s latest creations. If you have the chance, visit the festival and savor some of the finest chocolates in the world.
Amour du Chocolat Participation
Le Chocolat de H also participates in Amour du Chocolat, a major Valentine’s chocolate event held across Japan from January to February in cities such as Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
As one of Japan’s largest Valentine’s chocolate festivals, Amour du Chocolat draws massive crowds each year. At this event, Le Chocolat de H showcases exclusive chocolates created specifically for the festival, as well as its most popular signature products.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift or a treat for yourself, Amour du Chocolat is the ideal place to discover exquisite chocolates. Be sure to visit and indulge in the exceptional offerings from Le Chocolat de H.
Summary of Le Chocolat de H’s Unique Appeal
- A brand created by the globally renowned chocolatier, Hironobu Tsujiguchi
- Offers chocolates that blend Japanese and global ingredients
- Operates flagship stores and retail locations nationwide in Japan
- Adopts a “Farm-to-Bar” approach to ensure top-quality chocolates
- Owns an organic cacao farm in Peru for sustainable cultivation
- Features chocolates infused with Japanese ingredients and fermentation techniques
- Achieved the highest honors at the Salon du Chocolat for six consecutive years
- Sells exclusive products at the Amour du Chocolat event
- Offers an easy-to-use official online shop for purchases
- Includes seasonal and event-exclusive products in its lineup
- Popular for luxurious gift options with elegant packaging
- Each store offers a unique and tailored customer experience
- Café locations provide decadent desserts made with premium chocolate
- Ensures meticulous quality control from ingredient selection to production
- Continuously pursues the highest quality cacao from around the world