Sending chocolate by post is fast-becoming the popular alternative to sending flowers. Some people are allergic to flowers, or men might find them a bit too 'girly', but there aren't many who wouldn't appreciate a delicious box of chocolates as a gift.
Retailers have caught wind of this new trend, and now offer a sophisticated selection of beautifully packaged chocolates for all occasions and for all different types of people. But as with flowers, chocolate is not the easiest thing to transport and store, so there are a few things to bear in mind.
One of the things we love about chocolate is the way that it melts in the mouth. This is because it has a melting point of around eighty degrees, which also happens to be the heat of our mouth, and will stay very solid right up until that temperature.
But if you are sending chocolate by post, what happens if it is a hot day and temperature exceeds eighty degrees? Receiving a box of melted chocolate won't be that much of a treat, will it?
If you are sending mail order chocolates during the summer, you'll need to check with the retailer what measures they take to ensure the chocolates arrive in good condition. Generally, the following steps should be followed when sending chocolates by post:
1. Check that the chocolates are stored in controlled conditions right up until they are despatched.
2. Make sure the chocolates are sent first-class and are not sitting round at the couriers or in the delivery van for longer than is absolutely necessary.
3. Ask for delivery to be made as late or as early as possible so that they are in transit during the morning or evening when the weather tends to be cooler.
4. When the chocolates arrive, make sure they are stored somewhere cool. If it is really hot, put them in the fridge, but seal the box in a plastic bag first to prevent excessive moisture from damaging the packaging and the chocolates themselves.
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Chocs Away also recommends the following gift sites:
Santa's Grotto Xmas Gifts UK - Santa's Grotto Christmas Presents
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