I remember well my first taste of chocolate,I was about 6 years old. I had been smuggled into my grandmother’s place of work, the renowned “E Wedel” in Poland. Whilst I was hiding under the table to avoid being seen by the boss, I was passed a small chocolate to taste, one of their new flavours. I regarded this small chunk with caution, after all I had tried a similar sized piece of blue cheese before, and that had rendered me violently sick for two days.

So I took my time like a connoisseur, smelt the now melting lump and gently nibbled the confection. I was immediately hooked on its sweet creaminess. I remember my grandmother laughing, as she saw the wide eyed look of pleasure on my face.

That day I felt like chief taster. As my grandmother studiously designed new wrappers for the chocolates, I sat nearby unwrapping all the old ones and trying all the flavours and textures. In fact, I’d even mastered a technique of slowly sucking rather than greedily devouring the tasty nuggets, in the effort to make the sensory pleasure last that little bit longer.

I relived that childhood moment again a couple of weeks ago, whilst on holiday in Poland. I was shopping with my mother in “Promenada” shopping centre on Ostrobramska Street in Warsaw, when we came across a newly opened and very elegant “E Wedel” bar or “Pijalnia” as it is called in Polish. I had never tried their hot chocolate drinks, and who was I to stop myself, when the familiar aroma was calling me in like a lost child. It took my mother and I (usually decisive people) about ten minutes, to order from the the substantial menu. The melted chocolate came served in stylish glasses (by this stage I was positively salivating with anticipation). Nevertheless I didn’t allow myself to rush, and savoured every morsel of thick melted heaven from the dainty silver spoon, till there was only a mere trace left on the glass (and I had gained about two pounds in weight).

“E Wedel" was founded in 1851 by Karol Ernest Wedel (a master chocolatier). The store was soon a success in Warsaw. Karol handed over ownership of the company to his son Emil as a wedding present. Shops were also opened in Paris and London, two of the countries in which Karol had done his training.

After World War II, all privately owned factories in Poland were nationalised (with no compensation) by the communist government. The “E Wedel” name was changed to “22nd July” (communist Independence Day).

The company struggled as no one connected the name “22nd July” to their favourite “E Wedel”, and not as many Poles bought the chocolate. The communists then grudgingly added: Formerly E Wedel, in smaller writing under the new name, to attract back the loyal customer base.

The brand “E Wedel” is so ingrained in the minds of Poles that it is practically tradition, and even though it is now owned by Cadbury, I doubt they would be unwise enough to make too many changes.” If the aint broke don’t fix it “ If you get the chance to try it,let yourself be tempted. Enjoy.