Here at Daily Info we are always happy to give deep consideration to all things chocolate-based - so we caught up with Jens Knoop, founder of Oxford's new 'chocolate bar', Knoops, which promises to bring custom blends and hot choc perfection to Turl Street this month.
Welcome to Oxford! What made you choose our city for a new branch of Knoops?
Oxford has always been a favourite city of mine, it’s beautiful with rich history, so how could we resist? There is a unique blend of local residents, tourists and students which made it a no-brainer for us. We know historically all of these people love Knoops’ chocolate drinks.
How did you come to be so passionate about hot chocolate?
Chocolate has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in rural Germany where chocolate was a ceremonial reward for good behaviour. My grandmother would always treat me to a little bit if I’d been well-behaved. Later in life, I saw a gap in the market, there was a huge lack of really good quality chocolate drinks. This was my ‘lightbulb moment’ and I opened by first store in Rye in 2013.
Do you have a personal favourite from the Knoops range?
If you asked me at any point of the day you would get a different answer. It depends on my mood, my energy, what time of day it is. That’s the beauty with Knoops, there is something for everybody. We have over 20 different chocolate percentages to choose from in-store. You can select your favourite milk, have your drink iced or hot – the opportunities are endless.
I have spent over 10,000 hours perfecting these drinks - combining different percentage cocoas, with a range of milks and fruits, roots and spices – it’s a process I call Knoopology. After all of that care and consideration, I’m partial to each choice!
What would you recommend we try on our first visit to your Oxford shop?
Knoops is a personal process for everybody, so I’d never dictate. However, we often start by asking, "what chocolate do you like to eat?” This helps give us a sense of how sweet a tooth you have, as we have chocolates for all tastes. There are over 20 chocolates to try so you can work your way through the menu and find your perfect percentage.
You’re set to open just before Valentine’s Day – and we think hot chocolate and a walk around Oxford makes for a lovely date. Where in Oxford would you most like to take your delicious drinks on a chilly spring day?
Valentine’s is coming, and in my opinion there isn’t a date more romantic than a chilly walk with a delicious chocolate drink. Oxford is a gorgeous place to wander and explore, with Christchurch Meadows, Oxford Botanic Garden and the Covered Market all within reach of our store. I find that official walking tours can be enlightening too, even for locals - so that also could be a nice option (if you don't mind sharing your date with others!).
Knoops Oxford opens on Turl St, on Friday February 11th. For more information see: https://knoops.co.uk/pages/location-page-oxford