Friends are essential to an enjoyable life and every now and then, you may come across one that ends up being your very best friend in the world. Conversely, you may also come across ones that you befriend only for a very short while before realising that they weren’t quite right for you. I used to have a very strange friend. Our friendship didn’t last for very long and it was during the start of High School so it was a tumultuous time at best but she was one of those friends that delighted in laughing at you, not with you.
One time, we went to the movies. We picked her up from her Double Bay residence. I wondered what her place was like as she was always proclaiming that she would become an interior decorator and that her apartment was faaabulous, but before I could get out of the car and ring her doorbell she bounded down the front stairs. We bought snacks before settling in at the cinema. I bought a bag of Twisties-we were only allowed chips at parties so these were my first item of choice. I don’t even remember the movie but when we came out we went shopping for a while before she turned to me and pointed at me and laughed hysterically.
“I didn’t tell you but you have a bright orange ring of cheese around your mouth!!!” she said pointing at me in the middle of the street and laughing bent over.
I tried to scrub it off as quickly as possible but that only made her laugh harder. “You look SO stupid! You’re such a dork! Loser!” she said wiping away tears and still pointing at me.
Flushed and embarrassed, I quickly decided that this was not the friendship for me and we never hung out again. To me, friends tell each other when there is spinach in the teeth.
This nama chocolate may come with a warning. It’s moreish so you may find yourself with a ring of cocoa around your mouth. What is nama chocolate? Well it’s a Japanese phenomenon. I was first introduced to it by an NQN reader Anne-Maree who was so smitten by it that she gave me some from her Japan travels to taste. It’s a soft chocolate with a high pure cream content so that it needs to be refrigerated.
It is sold under the brand Royce and name simply means “raw” or “fresh” which in this case is the cream. Served as small cocoa dusted rectangles, you take one of their little plastic picks to pick up a soft square where it melts in your mouth. As a bonus, it is also very easy to make. And those learned cooks may look at the ingredients and surmise that it is like a soft ganache and you would be right.
I found the recipe on Nami’s gorgeous blog a while back and thought that I’d save it for Valentines Day. Then I bought some Amedei Chuao chocolate from Tania who works at the wholesaler Lario. For those unfamiliar with Amedei Chuao, it is one of the most expensive chocolates on the market and is a smooth, dark chocolate without a hint of bitterness. Use the best quality chocolate you can find or indeed, your favourite chocolate.
By the way, I did see this friend again. She was taking tickets on a public transport system. “Is that you B?” I asked her. “Yes” she answered tightly crossing her arms defensively, I guess perhaps waiting for me to say something. I didn’t, I mean decades had passed, although it made me think that I guess life doesn’t always turn out how you want it!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you tell friends when they have spinach in their teeth? And what’s your favourite chocolate?
Nama Chocolate
Recipe adapted from Just One Cookbook
- 400g best quality chocolate
- 250ml fresh cream
- 20g butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- liqueur of your choice (optional)
- cocoa for sifting
1. Line a square tin (about 8×8 inches) with baking parchment.
2. Chop the chocolate into pieces to make it easier to melt and place in a large bowl along with the butter and honey. Heat the cream until almost boiling and then pour over the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine. Add the liqueur if you are using it. Pour into the prepared tin and allow to set in the fridge.
3. Cut into squares with a hot knife – this is to prevent the chocolate from splintering when you cut it. Run knife under hot water and dry on a tea towel before each cut. Dust in cacoa powder and store in the fridge.
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55 Comments | Add your own
Chocolate that melts in your mouth?! You don’t have to tell me twice, this looks incredible!
Heavenly! I love the addition of honey.
Cheers,
Rosa
Lorraine! I’ve been waiting to see your Nama Chocolate pictures since you mentioned that you made. You make EVERYTHING so pretty and gorgeous – the styling is so lovely! Thank you for your kind mention.
I would even tell you if you had spinach in your hair, Spay Lady.
Oh goodness, solid Amedei Chuao ganache! Sounds to die for, Lorraine!
Ooh I’d happily embarrass myself with a chocolate face to eat these!
Yes most definitely tell people. I’d even tell a not-so-close friend they had something in their teeth. I left the dentist on Tuesday only to get in my car and see that I had blue teeth-cleaning stuff all over my face. Considering they don’t have a mirror at the dentist they could have told me!
I love Cadbury Caramello chocolate the best, although there are times when I find it too sweet. Of course I’d tell you, ever so gently, that you had spinach in your teeth – this person was not your friend.
Felt really sad when you related that childhood memory. So mean. I made similar mistakes with friends when young, but now I have some great friendships. The difference with age however is now they would be far too polite to say I have spinach in my teeth for fear of embarrassing me.
Someone once gave me a box of the sensational Royce chocolates. I thought it strange that it was made in Japan, as I thought the best always came from Belgium.
Oh so rich, so decadent, so delicious….. So making this!
What a bizarre friend Lorraine, no wonder she didn’t get far in life with that sort of attitude. I would always tell my friends if they had spinach in their teeth, and I would expect them to tell me too. There’s such a difference between laughing with you, and laughing at you
These sound just like something they market here called icy squares; absolutely decadent melt in your mouth chocolate squares!
Yes, my friends would tell me if I had spinach into teeth and pretend mock me! But it’s in good fun and I know they’re not being mean. That girl sure got her just desserts and it was very good of you not to turn the table and laugh at her. I’m sure the irony wasn’t lost on her.
Ummm…well, it depends, if is my very close friend sure I do, if not…well I think he/she will realize as soon as brush their teeth..am I a bad person?
Nami’s creations are wonderful, I don’t know shy she insists she is not good with sweet food…she is SO GOOD…!!!
I would always tell friends if they had spinach in their teeth or lipstick on their teeth. One day the head cardiologist was talking to me and I so wanted to tell her she had lipstick on her teeth but was too scared!
Girls can be so mean! You sure did the right thing leaving her behind. My fave chocolate? Dark 70% with either coffee or peppermint. Oh be still my beating heart. Happy Valentines Day Sweet xo
I love dark chocolate, rich and bright tasting…
I ALWAYS let my friends know when they have spinach in their teeth and hope they will return the favor…
Oh my! YUM!
I will be making some of this for my lovely chocoholic husband for valentines day. Thanks for sharing.
Oh oh, on another note…. I have made your speculaas (twice now) and it was a major hit in the office and at home, I have pictures if you want to see…
Cheers
Hi Renay! Thanks so much and I’d love to see the pics
you can add them as a comment or email me on info@notquitenigella.com 
Lorrz!!! This is the best morning viewing of chocolate ever!I always tell my friends of any ‘hidden’ embarrassments(usually I’d tuck in the shirt tag whilst talking with them,or give a hug & whisper the detail discreetly as to not embarrass) & giggle as if nothing happened, then share our fave chocolate together like, rich choc mousse.In my case the Lindt choc balls or Red Tulip peppermint chocolate is a must! Speaking of ‘must’, I MUST make this ‘rich ganachey’ treat! xx
Wonderful post as always Lorraine. Yummy.
Recipe looks fabulous, will be giving it a lap.
Also had a “friend” similar to the one you mentioned. Contacted me a few years ago by email & couldn’t bring myself to launch back into that again. Felt very guilty about not replying to emails, but couldn’t find the words to explain why. Thanks for the reminder as to why it was a good decision!
Love Nami’s blog and these nama chocolates look divine! My favorite chocolate is all chocolate
And yes I tell someone there is spinach in their teeth…but only spinahc 
Yes I would tell most people about spinach or other things in their teeth. I even have to stop myself from picking bits of fluff or cotton from complete strangers…
Cant wait to make this delectable chocolate recipe. My hub is oblivious to Valentines Day but hey, who cares I can make my own delights with your & Nami’s invaluable help. Thank you!
What a meanie she was. You see karma always works its magic in the end. I would have chose twisties too yum!!
I always tell friends re spinach situation and others too if it can be effected discreetly. I love all chocolate and this one sounds divine. Think I would like to try it with a praline.
When reading this and you said you saw her again, collecting tickets, I soooooo wanted to read “is that you b? Well You have spinach in your teeth, hahahaha”.
This soft chocolate looks absolutely fabulous. Could it be done with white chocolate do you think, with some chopped nuts…..and Frangelico….I think I’m going to try it, will let you know.
Oh, and my favourite chocolate is any with nuts in, particularly cadbury’s with Brazil nut, sadly not often found in Aus, but snaffled up quickly when I do come across some, chocolate face and all!
Hi Gin-tonic! Haha I wish she had some spinach in her teeth!
Absolutely, it’s delicious with white chocolate and with the mix-ins too! I’d love to know what you think of it! 
Lorraine, how do you get them so nicely cut? Hehe great job. I love this nama chocolate recipe from Nami too, have made it a few times now, and friends are always appreciative when they get this as a gift.
Happy V Day too
ooh i remember having these in japan, and they were good! cant wait to try this out! happy valentines day NQN, may MRN NQN bring u many suprises!
Lorraine, I am sure the by adding honey you have an extra flavor in this chocolate…they look divine.
Hope you are enjoying your week!
Happy Valentines Day!!!
Hope Mr NQN will spoil you hehe
That’s horrible what that friend did to you… Teenage girls can be so mean sigh but I m glad you didn’t hang out with her again she doesn’t deserve your friendship
like you I believe true friends will tell you when you have so,etching stick between your teeth and if they think that dress isn’t flattering they’ll also tell you ~
My favourite chocolate would be valhorna so deep and rich in flavour hehe
wow there are many ways of telling friends that they have spinach in their teeth and not all of them are the ways friends tell each other – but somehow I am fascinated by this girl’s life – sounds like it would make a great alternative novel
and I am fascinated by your chocolate – sounds fabulous and just right for Valentine’s day
What a horrible person! I wouldn’t have talked to her either!
This looks SO decadent- reminds me of a truffle or sorts too. Sounds like a crappy friend, and I’m glad you’ve found better ones
Like me 
Wow -that sounds like an awful friend!
Unlike the chocolate which sounds & you’ve made look – divine.
Hi Lorraine
Looks fabulous! The chic is chopped, the cream is heating, but what quantity of (raspberry schnapps) liqueur should I add? I’m thinking about 1 generous tablespoon?
Thanks, Liz
Hi Liz! As much as to your taste but I think a tablespoon sounds good!
Drool! Looks lush. Yes, my friends & I tell about spinach in teeth & skirts in undies & all those ghastly things!
I tell STRANGERS if they do.
No one needs to look the fool.
I need to know where I can get this fabulous chocolate to make these with. Around these parts Lindt dark is as fancy as I can get.
I like ALL chocolate! It is my weakness… I can imagine how smooth and creamy this chocolate would be!
First of all, looks UBER yum, TRUE!
Friends would ALWAYS tell friends there is something in your teeth, on your mouth or even a button is open on a shirt too!
A friend sends me some Finnish chocolate every year at Christmas. I don’t know if it’s my fave (as have had many) but these I savor the flavor as they are filled with all sorts of exotic flavors…so I S-L-O-W-L-Y suck the chocolate off (to make the experience last lol), then have this “gel type lolly” to add to fun, tasting these tantalizingly tasty chockies every year! WHOO HOO!
I think I’ll toss in a splash of prosecco when I make these; it’d be perfect! Plus, I’m such a sucker for Sachi Nama from Hokkaido; it isn’t as boozy as Royce, but the mouthfeel and taste are much richer.
Hey Miss Not Quite,
I note you havent included Moon Under Water in Melbourne.
An oversight, I’m sure…
Looks beautiful – I’ve been craving chocolate all day so this is the perfect post to satisfy
I have to confess I’m bad with telling people they’ve food in their teeth…I’m so worried about embarrassing them! So if it’s not too bad I’ll wait and see if they manage to get rid of it themselves
These look perfect! And they’re always a hit with everyone (even those who don’t really like chocolate love them!)
Perfect for Valentines Day – love the letter press as well!
Oh this looks to good to be true
Beautiful recipe !!
Goodness what a horrible friend!! I will always tell a friend if they have spinach in their teeth or anything else that would cause them embarrassment and I try to tell them discreetly. Couple of days ago on the way to work I stopped a girl to let her know her label was sticking out of her top, wasn’t a big deal but if it was me I’d want to know. My current favourite chocolate is truffles from Koko Black. This recipe looks delicious
Incredibly delicious and even more incredibly easy!! Mnnnnn!!!
Nami is outrageously talented, isn’t she!
I definitely tell people if they have spinach in their teeth! I would prefer to know. And I love any good quality chocolate. This one looks amazing …
Your stories always make me smile! And I am so glad that this “friend” ended up taking tickets on public transport. See, that’s what I call kismet! And I would definitely tell you when you have spinach in your teeth, discreetly. And would laugh with you not at you
These chocolates look absolutely amazing!
when i’m making something that uses melted chocolate, it never fails that i think to myself that it’s among the most beautiful substances ever created.
Lovely gift idea, the only problem is stopping eating them all beforehand!
What beautiful chocolate, not that the ugliest chocolate isn’t still lovely. Great gift idea.
Great post NQN. Lovely photos and good story too. I can’t wait to get my hands on these choices. I always try to imagine myself in the other person’s shoes and so would definitely tell them discreetly
These look fantastic! Will the coco powder survive ok in the fridge? Also, how would you make these last for a few weeks?
Hi Jenn! Yup the cocoa powder lasts in the fridge just fine and yes they can last for a few weeks
Hi Lorraine, thank you for sharing the recipe! ^^ Your nama chocolates look so yummy and I love the quality of your photos!!! May I please ask you where you got the square shaped gift box from? It looks so good and it’s a great size to put the nama chocolates in as a gift. I would appreciate if you could let me know please, thank you so much! =)
Cheers, Bon
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