Trufflus: craft · chocolate

Taste of Kent Awards 2026

We are very proud to announce that Trufflus received two awards at this years Taste of Kent Awards.

We won the Gold award in the Sweet Pantry product category for our Roasted Hazelnut & Cocoa spread.

If that was not enough we also received a Silver award for our 70% Ghanaian Dark Chocolate Bar in the confectionery category.

We were very happy to have received two awards at the first time of entering and had an amazing night catching up with the other winners.

Shop our award winners

From Bean to Bar

Making chocolate from the bean gives me control over every stage of the process.

I roast, winnow, refine and temper cocoa in small batches, adjusting my approach to bring out the character of each origin.

It's hands-on work, guided by experimentation, careful observation and the changes I can see, hear, smell and taste along the way.

Every finished bar is the result of those decisions.

Shop our chocolate bars

A man wearing a black long-sleeve shirt stands in a cozy cafe environment with warm lighting, wooden paneling, and other patrons visible in the background.

Behind Trufflus

I'm Ryan, the founder and chocolatier behind Trufflus.

After more than 20 years developing software, I found my way into chocolate making. Today, I create filled chocolate bonbons, bean-to-bar chocolate and nut-based spreads.

My approach combines technical curiosity with a hands-on learning of how things work; from the way flavours develop to how texture, technique and tools affect the finished product.

A circular gold and black award badge reading 'Kent Sweet Pantry Taste of Kent Awards Gold 2026 Product of the Year' with a red apple and white horse emblem in the center on a white background.

Roasted Hazelnut & Cocoa Spread

The judges loved this. They praised its really smooth texture and good mouthfeel, and the clean, well-balanced flavour, with the toasted hazelnuts shining through and a quality cocoa taste. Several singled out the balance of nuts, chocolate and sweetness. As one judge summed it up: "Looks good, smells good, tastes great."

Judges - Taste of Kent Awards 2026

A circular award badge reading 'Kent Confectionery or Snack Taste of Kent Awards Product of the Year' with 'Silver 2026' at the bottom. The center shows a red apple silhouette with a white horse emblem on a black background, surrounded by a silver ring.

70% Ghanaian Dark Chocolate Bar

The judges were impressed by the glossy, shiny finish and found the bar rich and smooth, with a pleasant finish – one called it "a great product"

Judges - Taste of Kent Awards 2026

They're little gems!

"I accidentally came across these chocolates at a market. I honestly bought them mainly because they looked so pretty and the display looked good. But when I finally got home and tried them, I was so pleasantly surprised. They're little gems! Very delicate well balanced flavours and quite unique."

Cristina Rusu · Google
★★★★★