Silver lining: a chocolate dumpling filled with vodka
180 views · Published 23 December 2018 · 5:23 · Indexed 12 November 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(18 Dec 2018) LEADIN: A perfect seasonal treat... a chocolate in the shape of a traditional Russian dumpling and filled with vodka. The sweet maker is hoping his idea will become a popular Russian souvenir like the classic matryoshka stacking dolls. STORYLINE: Arranged together in a box these dumplings look tantalisingly tempting. But look a little closer and you'll see they're made from white chocolate, not dough. The chocolates merely resemble the shape of a Russian dumpling, while the meat filling has been replaced with a generous portion of vodka. Traditionally in Russia, dumplings and vodka are eaten as a pair. Designer Vladislav Novikov-Barkovskiy is the man behind the idea. Although sweets with an alcohol filling are hardly new, first appearing in France at the time of Louis XIV, these differ from competitors because of, Novikov-Barkovskiy says, their strong Russian identity. "We have sweets, we have dumplings, we have vodka," he explains. "Now, we combine it all together." The sweets laid out on the chopping board at Novikov-Barkovskiy's home are practically indistinguishable from dumplings - which are still made by hand in many families. A designer by trade, it's the first time Novikov-Barkovskiy has turned his attention to chocolates. Initially he approached professional chocolatiers with his idea, but many thought it too difficult a feat to pull off. So he decided to go it alone, reading books and recipes and following the advice of professional confectioners which, he says, they were happy to provide. Instead of a professional kitchen, he produces from the comfort of his own kitchen - troubleshooting along the way. Firstly, he had to spend some time creating the right silicone mould. Not only did it have to imitate the look of a dumpling as closely as possible, it also had to be easily extractable from the mould. "(Confectioners) were frightened off by the fact that the dumpling, a sweet in the form of a dumpling, would be non-removable or difficult to remove from the mould," he explains. Novikov-Barkovskiy says his mould is now so good he's going to patent it. Because the designer sees these as potential souvenir gifts, the next step was to develop a recipe that could last a long time. Again, Novikov-Barkovskiy thinks he's solved the problem which now lets his chocolates last a whole year. By injecting liquor inside the chocolate followed by a sugar crust - the alcohol doesn't dissolve the chocolate. Novikov-Barkovskiy says he can now produce around 125 sweets per day, but that's just the start. The chocolates have been so well received, he says, that Novikov-Barkovskiy now plans to purchase equipment and launch mass production. He says he's hoping to make 2,000 chocolates a time. "I would like it to stand next to matryoshka dolls (handpainted dolls), to Russian ushanka hats, to balalaikas (Russian musical instrument)," explains Novikov-Barkovskiy, "so that it becomes a real Russian souvenir." His wife, Elena says she supports her husband and his constant chocolate making. Novikov-Barkovskiy spent many years developing designs for travel brands and souvenirs - giving him a good insight into the market. He's taken ownership of the design of his chocolates too, with the support of colleagues at the printing house where he works. Anastasia Morozova, the Deputy Director at the printing house sees the chocolates as a "new interpretation, new vision". But as ever it doesn't matter how good ithe chocolate or packaging looks, the success will always be in the taste. Although he questions the look of the dumpling, he likes the concept. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/21153d75def38efd149774a158b4acec
