This story is sponsored by Neuhaus.

An overview of Neuhaus

Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus opened its first shop outside of London on James Street, Harrogate, a few months ago.

The luxury chocolatier that was founded in 1857 is known for inventing Belgian praline and offers a high-end chocolate experience.

Customers can learn about the history of each product in store – find out more about the stories behind Neuhaus here, while you can discover how you can get involved in the Insiders club where you can receive up to 10 free chocolate gifts per year below…

What is Neuhaus Insiders?

As a Neuhaus Insider, customers are the first to sample the latest innovations, limited edition collections and new ranges each month on a complimentary and commitment-free basis, as well as receiving a free box of birthday chocolates.

Neuhaus Insiders are also the first to be invited to exclusive preview events and find out more about its special promotions too.

How do I become a Neuhaus Insider?

All you need to do is sign up in store or online here and you can redeem your gift online or by visiting your local Neuhaus boutique.

FIND OUT MORE:

Neuhaus is located at 5 James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS. To find out more visit the website.

Bettys Easter egg is a familiar sight in Harrogate each year but questions have been raised about what happens to the egg after the festivities.

Speculation has been circulating on social media this week as to what happens to the famous egg after the display.

Some Facebook users said the egg is disposed of once the festivities are over, which caused debate as to what should happen to it. Some people argued it should be sold or donated.

The tradition of the Bettys display is more than a century old. The company’s founder Frederick Belmont designed eggs ornately crafted like the ones on display and a tradition was born.

It features hand piped icing designs and contains over 5kg of Swiss chocolate.

The Stray Ferret spoke to Bettys and a spokesperson said:

“We have seen rumors on social media and can confirm the egg wouldn’t be safe to eat, it has been lacquered to prevent it melting and by the end of the display it is all covered in dust. It used to be donated to charity years ago.”

A spokesperson involved in the creation of the Bettys window displays said:

“The eggs and cakes for windows are produced as normal but with artificial colours used for the icing so they don’t fade as quickly as the natural colours we normally. This new lacquer clear spray is relatively new. We have only done a couple of displays with it, but it stops the products degrading in the window but it’s not edible. Some of the cakes are not sprayed and are made out of royal icing or marzipan and sugar paste so they don’t melt. I do vaguely remember the eggs being donated away when I first started but now with health and safety and the new lacquer process sprayed on at the end it’s not possible.”

Bettys Easter window display 2024

Disappointed Bettys fans can still purchase a ‘grande’ egg of their own for £375.

The eggs are made to order and are only available for collection from a Bettys store. Smaller eggs in the display are also available to purchase here.

Read more:

• 5 alternative Easter activities in and around Harrogate
• Bettys extends opening hours in Harrogate and York 
• Rail disruption expected over Easter weekend 

The Stray Ferret goes behind the scenes to discover more about brands and businesses in Harrogate and the surrounding areas.

The first insider story is Neuhaus, a chocolatier that’s recently opened in Harrogate.

Jean Neuhaus was a pharmacist who covered his medicines with chocolate. 

Studying medicine in Grenoble, Jean Neuhaus’ chosen career path was unfortunately not to be – mainly because he could not bear the sight of blood – but all was not lost as he could implement his skills elsewhere.

After moving to Brussels in 1857, he turned his hand to opening a pharmacy in the prestigious Queen’s Gallery where he covered his medicines with a fine layer of chocolate to make them more appealing for the sick to take them.

This method of covering medicine in chocolate is still known, and sometimes still used, in Belgium today.

When visiting the Harrogate store, located at 5 James Street, the knowledgeable store assistant Olivia de Lame recounted tales of her grandma who used to give her a cod liver oil vitamin and covered it in chocolate, calling it ‘the Neuhaus method’ so that she would take it.

She has fond memories of this, and recounts how even though 166 years have passed, this method is still well-known and sometimes used in Belgium today.

(Neuhaus Factory)

Only four people in the world know the recipe and how to make the Manon Sucre.

After a shortage of cocoa beans post-World War II, it was difficult to make chocolate so the ladies who worked in the factory thought about how they could invent an alternative sweet treat.

They had plenty of fresh cream, sugar and pecan nuts at their disposal, so after many attempts, they settled on a recipe named the Manon Sucre, which has never disappeared from Neuhaus’ offering since, even after cocoa beans came back into circulation. There are two varieties: the Manon Sucre Vanilla and Manon Sucre Café.

Neuhaus has impressive chocolate installations.

If you’ve walked past the Harrogate store, you might have already seen the giant chocolate egg gracing its windows ahead of Easter.

This was made in Belgium using the company’s 3D chocolate printer, then carefully transported to Harrogate, and put in place by the store’s staff.

(Will Claydon, Neuhaus)

The installations will change every couple of months – keep your eyes peeled for next one. And if you’re travelling down to London any time soon, pay a visit to the Covent Garden store that features a huge Big Ben chocolate statue.

Some of the chocolates are named after members of the Belgium royal family.

Neuhaus is a Belgian Royal Warrant Holder and has created two chocolates to honour the King and Queen of Belgium, Philippe and Mathilde.

Neuhaus offers an ‘Insider Club’.

This gives people the opportunity to sample the latest chocolates and new collections each month on a complimentary and commitment-free basis, as well as receiving a free box of chocolates on your birthday – all you need to do is sign up in store or online.

5 James Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QS, click here for more stories.

Read more:

• 5 things to do in and around Harrogate
• 5 minutes with… the artist behind BEAM Light Festival, James Bawn
• 7 places to see spring flowers in Yorkshire

Chocolate and coffee cafe opens in Harrogate

A chocolate and coffee cafe has opened in Harrogate town centre.

The Chocolate Works is situated on Station Parade between the Everyman cinema and restaurant Farmhouse.

It is the third venture of its kind launched by owner Guy Middleton.

Mr Middleton opened his first Chocolate Works cafe in Clitheroe in 2017 followed by a second in Skipton in 2020.

The cafes serve predominantly Belgian chocolate dishes, including hot chocolate, as well as loose chocolate that can be taken away.

They also stock a wide range of coffees and speciality teas plus waffles, ice cream and milkshakes.

The premises was intended to house the vegan restaurant Vertigo, which went out of business a year ago before its Harrogate eatery opened.

Read more:

• ‘The council have destroyed 99 years of model boats in Harrogate’
• Renewed call to move Harrogate ‘little temple’ to Starbeck