A chocolate shop sweetens the city of Warsaw. It’s the E. Wedel cafe, a polish confectionery located in 8 Szpitalna Street, a few steps from the Palace of Culture. Here the soft flavor of a warm and aromatic chocolate can cover you like a woolen blanket in a cold winter day. Founded in the mid-nineteenth century by Karol Wedel and managed by his son and grandson, this place has always been one of the staple corners of the Polish capital.

At the time of the Polish People’s Republic, the Communists wanted to nationalize it. In order to commemorate the anniversary of the Manifesto of July, the factory was renamed: “July 22, formerly E.Wedel”. Warsaw lives a different atmosphere now and one little proof of change comes from this factory which was able to gain the role of a national sponsor of UEFA EURO 2012. Wedel’s products are now known and appreciated throughout the world.

It’s a place where a huge selection of chocolates is served. An institution in Warsaw since 1851, with more than 20 different kinds of hot chocolate drinks, excellent cakes and herbal teas flavored with soft fruit. Despite my forced physical and emotional separation from sugars and sweets I could not resist the tempting call of this elegant “chocolaterie”.

I ordered a warming-up of chocolate with ginger and chocolate. Sublime taste. The Wedel chocolate now ranks first in my sweet wish list and I doubt I will find something better soon in London. This was a truly satisfactory experience. Enhancing the flavor of the cocoa beans is a form of art that people from this Polish factory excel at.