This visit was part of a press collaboration, but all opinions and observations are my own.

Chocolate-filled family adventure

There’s something deeply satisfying about a family road trip that ends with chocolate. Recently, our little Persian trio piled into the car, armed with snacks, excitement, and a slightly untrustworthy SatNav, for a day-long mission to Inspired Chocolate in Leyburn, Yorkshire.

The hunt for shokolaat

The journey from Newcastle was far from straightforward. Wrong turns, misread signs, and the inevitable marital debate over who “actually knows the way” turned our 90-minute drive into something resembling an expedition. Eventually, though, we spotted the chocolate factory, and I felt that mix of relief and thrill that only comes from finding a hidden gem. Pro tip: trust your eyes, not your SatNav, and maybe pack extra snacks.

The sweet revelation

Stepping through the doors of Inspired Chocolate, the aroma of molten cocoa hit first. It was like being wrapped in a warm, chocolate-scented hug. The factory is part workshop, part wonderland, with shelves of glossy bars, delicate truffles, and even chocolate shoes that tempt you more than any high-street display ever could. Chocolate here isn’t just a sweet, it’s pure art.

Even in midlife, juggling work, motherhood, and the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause, there’s something profoundly comforting about chocolate. Beyond its flavour, it triggers serotonin and endorphins, that brain-happy cocktail science can’t quite explain. I’ve come to see it not as indulgence but as essential midlife therapy.

Little C’s chocolate art

The main event was the chocolate pizza-making workshop. Cyrus donned an apron and poured melted chocolate into his pizza base with the precision of a tiny architect. Smarties, marshmallows, and chocolate chips followed.

Then came the decorating. With chocolate-smeared fingers, he turned the pizza box into an artwork worthy of its own gallery. Watching him, I remembered that indulgence isn’t only about eating chocolate. It’s about shared experiences! These are the moments that make life feel rich.

A taste of Persia

Chocolate also carries history. Persians have loved shokolaat since the 1600s. The first Persian chocolate factory opened in Tabriz around 1920, thanks to Russian immigrants. Persian chocolate tends to be drier and crumblier than Western varieties, a little less sweet.

Chocolate is therapy

For me, chocolate has always been more than a treat. It’s a 3pm pick-me-up for perimenopausal mood swings. It offers pleasure, therapy, and a tiny act of self-care all in one. And let’s not forget the smell. Cocoa in the air has a remarkable ability to calm and comfort.

Sweet memories

By the end of our visit, we were weighed down with bags of truffles, chocolate bars, and chocolate sculptures. Our hearts were full, and our spirits lifted. Leyburn, with its cosy pubs, scenic walks, and hidden gems like the Wensleydale Railway or the Forbidden Corner, was the perfect backdrop for our chocolate-filled adventure. Chocolate was both the reward and the lens through which we experienced the day.

Final thoughts

Inspired Chocolate reminded me that there’s nothing better than a messy child, a supportive spouse, and the perfect truffle after a long week. Would we go again? Absolutely. Five stars, and a few extra for serotonin.

⭐ Rating: ★★★★★