Coffee and Chocolate: The Russell & Atwell Pairing Guide You Never Knew You Needed

Yes, we’re talking about coffee and chocolate,  the kind of pairing that could make Mondays tolerable and Sundays downright glorious. Around here, we take our fresh, chilled chocolate as seriously as our morning brew. But put the two together and something magical happens. Pairing coffee and chocolate is an easy way to upgrade your daily routine or coffee break.

We’ve tried every possible excuse to “test” coffee and chocolate pairings (purely in the name of research, of course). Some worked beautifully. Some… well, let’s just say the bin got lucky that day. The good news? We’ve done the experimenting, so you don’t have to. Here’s our definitive guide to pairing our Russell & Atwell fresh chocolates with coffee styles that make them sing.

Why coffee and chocolate belong together

Both coffee beans and cocoa beans are grown in far-off tropical places, picked by hand, fermented, roasted, and treated with the reverence they deserve. They share flavour notes, nutty, fruity, floral, toffee, which means when you find the right pairing, they don’t just get along, they dance. The right coffee draws out hidden flavours in the chocolate; the right chocolate softens the coffee’s edges.

Coffee chocolate, such as chocolates infused with coffee, coffee-flavoured truffles, or coated coffee beans, has a long tradition of bringing out the rich, nuanced, and complementary flavours of both ingredients -Hence our micro-batch with Bella Barista Coffee. And when the chocolate is ours, fresh, creamy, hand-finished, with only the best ingredients, well, let’s just say “chocolates online” doesn’t get much better than this.

Understanding Coffee Beans

Ever wondered why some coffee chocolates just hit different while others pack a serious flavour punch? It all kicks off with the humble coffee bean (yes, those little powerhouses). These beans are the heart and soul of every killer cup of coffee and every mind-blowing chocolate and coffee combo you've ever had. Coffee beans are seeds from the coffee plant, carefully picked and roasted to coax out their unique personalities. (Think of it as their glow-up moment.)

Now, there are two main players you'll bump into: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans? They're the darlings of the speciality coffee world, loved for their gentle, nuanced flavours—we're talking soft fruit vibes, floral notes, and a silky finish that just works. Robusta beans, on the flip side, bring the bold energy with a more robust taste and a hint of bitterness that pairs beautifully with dark chocolate and other rich flavours. (Basically, they don't mess around.)

But here's where it gets interesting. The roast level, whether light, medium, or dark, totally steals the show in the final taste department. Lighter roasts tend to be bright and fruity, making them perfect mates for chocolates with a hint of citrus or berry. Darker roasts? They're all about that depth and intensity, which makes them a natural match for smooth, creamy dark chocolate or a box of seriously decadent coffee chocolates.

When you nail the right coffee bean and chocolate pairing, you create something that's honestly greater than the sum of its parts. Picture this: a mellow, medium-roasted Arabica alongside a piece of rich, dark chocolate—the flavours blend and balance, each sip and bite revealing something new and brilliant. It's proof of the quality and care that goes into both worlds, and basically an invitation to discover your favourite combos. So next time you reach for a chocolate treat, spare a thought for the beans behind the magic, and get ready to dive into a world of seriously delicious possibilities.

How to pair coffee and chocolate (R&A style)

We’re not about rules for the sake of rules, but there are a few tricks:

• Match intensity: bold coffee with bold chocolate, gentle coffee with gentle chocolate.
• Think complementary flavours: nutty coffee with nutty chocolate, fruity coffee with fruity chocolate.
• Most importantly,  enjoy it. Prefer your Creamy Milk with a flat white, even if we suggest a cappuccino? You do you.
• Keep your taste and preferences in mind when experimenting with pairings—mindful choices lead to the most satisfying combinations.
  

The pairings

1. Creamy Milk + Flat White

Our Creamy Milk is exactly what it says on the tin: rich milk chocolate with a silky, slow-melting centre, just sweet enough to keep you reaching for “one more.” A flat white’s velvety microfoam mirrors that creamy texture, while the espresso base adds a grown-up coffee kick. Together, they’re like the chocolate-and-coffee equivalent of a well-cut cashmere jumper, soft, comforting, and impossible not to love. Milk Chocolates – Russe…

2. Salted Caramel + Cappuccino

There’s something about a cappuccino’s frothy milk cap that sets off the soft-snap shell and buttery caramel of our Salted Caramel chocolates. The espresso underneath has enough oomph to balance the sweetness, while the milk foam rounds off the salt edge beautifully. If you’ve never dunked a salted caramel into a cappuccino, be warned: this could become a habit. Salted Caramel Chocolat…

3. Dirty Blond + Latte

Dirty Blond is our cheeky little twist, smooth milk chocolate with white chocolate swirls, the cocoa notes toned down just enough to let the creamy vanilla and caramel hints shine. A latte, with its generous milk content, keeps things mellow. Think of it as the lazy Sunday brunch of coffee and chocolate: easy, cosy, and unapologetically indulgent.

4. Nutty Monty + Americano

Nut lovers, this one’s for you. Nutty Monty is our ode to roasted perfection, Italian Roma hazelnuts, roasted in their shells for a fuller flavour, wrapped in outrageously creamy milk chocolate. An Americano’s slightly bitter, long-pour style brings out the nut’s natural sweetness without overwhelming it. It’s the post-dinner pairing that makes guests linger at the table “just a little longer.”

5. Smooth Dark + Espresso

Smooth Dark is decadent without the bitterness. Colombian Fino de Aroma cocoa, double cream, and wildflower honey. Espresso is its perfect match: concentrated, bold, and intense enough to meet the dark chocolate head-on. The honey notes in the chocolate even tease out subtle caramel in the coffee. If you like your pairings with a bit of swagger, this is it. Dark Chocolate Gifts in…

6. Extra Dark + Ristretto

Not for the faint-hearted. Our Extra Dark features Solomon Islands 100% cocoa in the centre, with cream and honey to keep it just this side of ferocious. A ristretto,  shorter and more concentrated than espresso,  gives you a punch of coffee flavour in a tiny sip. Together? It’s like the high-drama couple in a period drama: intense, slightly intimidating, but impossible to look away from.

7. Strawberries & Cream + Iced Latte

A seasonal favourite, this limited-edition fresh chocolate tastes like British summertime in a pouch. Pair it with an iced latte and you get strawberries-and-cream-in-the-garden vibes  the milky chill of the coffee balancing the berry sweetness, and no need to worry about Wimbledon rain delays.

How to serve your coffee and chocolate pairings

• Temperature matters: Our chocolates are fresh and chilled, so take them out of the fridge 10–15 minutes before serving. This lets the flavours bloom without losing that creamy texture.
• One bite, one sip: Alternate for the best effect — bite the chocolate, let it melt, then sip the coffee and notice how the flavours change.
• Presentation: A little saucer of chocolates beside each coffee cup makes even a Tuesday morning feel like a café in Florence.
  

These serving ideas can cater to a variety of occasions, from casual mornings to special gatherings.

Gifting Coffee and Chocolate

When it comes to nailing the perfect gift, honestly? Nothing says "I proper appreciate you" quite like the irresistible combo of coffee and chocolate. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, marking an anniversary, or just fancy brightening someone's day (because why not?), a luxury chocolate gift featuring coffee chocolates is a seriously delicious way to show you care.

Picture this: the absolute delight of cracking open a box of premium chocolates, maybe a selection of creamy milk chocolate truffles, rich dark chocolate bites, or a collection of coffee chocolates that capture the essence of your favourite brew. Chuck in a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans or a smooth caramel-infused coffee, and you've created a treat that's as thoughtful as it is properly indulgent. (And let's be honest, we're all here for the indulgence.)

For those who love having a proper exploration of new flavours, a chocolate and coffee hamper is the ultimate way to celebrate any occasion. Fill it with an assortment of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and coffee chocolates, add a few speciality coffees, and you've got a gift that caters to every taste. It's a brilliant choice for birthdays, anniversaries, or as a special thank you, guaranteed to bring a smile with every bite and sip. (Because who doesn't love a good smile-inducing moment?)

And if you're shopping for someone who's already got everything (we all know that person), a luxury chocolate gift box like our Mega Monty Lux with 8 different flavours or a curated collection of coffee chocolates is always a welcome surprise. With loads of options to choose from, you can order online for convenient delivery, making it dead easy to share the joy of chocolate and coffee with friends and family near or far. Simple as.

So whether you're looking to treat yourself or someone special, remember this: coffee and chocolate are more than just a delicious pairing—they're a way to create proper memories, celebrate life's moments, and offer a little everyday luxury. Shop, gift, and delight in the rich flavours that only the perfect combination of coffee and chocolate can bring. (Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.)

Why Russell & Atwell is different

We make fresh chocolates. No palm oil, no long shelf lives, no compromise. Just fresh cream, top-quality cocoa, and flavours that taste of what they are. That means when you search for “chocolates online” and land on us, you’re not getting something that’s been sat in a warehouse for months. You’re getting a chilled, hand-finished chocolate that pairs with coffee the way a Savile Row suit pairs with its wearer - perfectly.

We like to think our coffee and chocolate pairings work so well because the chocolates themselves are balanced, layered, and… well… worth slowing down for.

Final sip

Coffee and chocolate are both everyday luxuries. Put them together and they become an occasion. Whether it’s a mid-morning lift, an after-dinner treat, or an excuse to call a friend over “for coffee” (knowing full well the chocolate’s the real draw), these Russell & Atwell pairings prove that life’s too short for bad coffee or bad chocolate. Coffee and chocolate can add a meaningful touch to everyday life and make special occasions even more memorable.

So, pop the kettle on, fire up the espresso machine, or dust off the cafetière. And if you need to top up your chocolate supplies, you know where to find the freshest, most decadent chocolates online.