There’s something magical about an Advent calendar: the excitement of counting down to Christmas, the small daily surprises, and that moment of anticipation before opening the next window. For many, it’s a nostalgic tradition, a ritual that builds excitement as Christmas approaches. Yet, as the years pass, most have become predictable, filled with chocolates that lack depth and character.
This is exactly why Carambole’s 2024 Advent Calendar is different. It’s more than just a countdown: it’s an experience. A moment of daily wonder, where flavors surprise you, puzzles challenge you, and stories unfold behind each tiny door.
It is a carefully crafted journey through fine chocolate, rare spices, and playful mystery. Imagine solving riddles, unlocking flavors you’ve never encountered before, and discovering some of the world’s most exceptional chocolate bonbons. At the heart of this creation is Rita Zamoshchina, founder of Carambole and a master of the art of bean to bar chocolate bonbons. Since 2017, she has dedicated herself to introducing people to craft chocolate through bold, innovative, and meticulously balanced creations, earning multiple international awards.
A Tradition Reinvented
The concept of the Advent calendar dates back to 19th-century Germany, particularly among Protestant families, who marked the days leading up to Christmas by lighting candles, placing devotional images, or making chalk marks on doors.
The first printed Advent calendars appeared in the early 1900s, credited to German publisher Gerhard Lang, who was inspired by a homemade version from his childhood. His early models featured small images or verses that children would attach daily to a board.
Over time, the format evolved, and by the 1920s, calendars with little doors to open became popular, adding an element of surprise to the tradition. A major transformation occurred in the 1950s, when chocolate makers introduced edible versions of Advent calendars, replacing paper images with small chocolates behind each door. While this innovation made the tradition even more appealing, the shift toward mass production gradually led to standardized, predictable chocolates of unremarkable quality. The original sense of anticipation and discovery faded, as most calendars became repetitive and commercially driven.
This is precisely where Carambole brings back the magic redefining the Advent Calendar as an immersive experience, where craftsmanship, flavor, and creativity merge to create something extraordinary.
Rita Zamoshchina: A Pioneer in Bean to Bar Chocolate Bonbons
Rita’s approach is unlike anything else in the chocolate world. With years of expertise in handcrafting bonbons with small batch chocolate, she has built a reputation for using only the finest ingredients, sourced with care.
Her creations are not about sweetness: they are about structure, balance, and sensory exploration. She exclusively works with specialty chocolate from Krak Chocolade, Original Beans, The Chocolate Tree, and others, ensuring the best quality possible.
Her mission? To introduce people to the world of fine chocolate through bonbons.
Having personally tasted and evaluated her bonbons, I can confidently say that she stands apart from anyone else in the field. Over the years, we have exchanged chocolate bars and found a deep alignment in our sensory appreciation of single origin chocolate and the most daring inclusions.
What Makes This Calendar Special?
Sweet Carambole’s 2024 Advent Calendar is not about mass-market chocolate wrapped in nostalgia. It is about flavor, craftsmanship, and adventure. Inside you will find:
24 handcrafted chocolate experiences: Each day reveals bean to bar chocolate paired with a unique spice, carefully selected for an unforgettable flavor experience.
A detective-style quest: Every drawer comes with a riddle that leads you deeper into the story. To unlock the flavors, you’ll need to crack ciphers, decode patterns, and even revisit Morse code.
An exclusive selection of makers: Unlike other calendars that rely on wholesale availability, this one features 10 exceptional chocolate makers personally chosen by Rita.
Meet the Chocolate Makers
This year’s calendar includes a stellar lineup of talented specialty chocolate makers such as:
Lumineux Chocolates (USA)
Sleep Walk Chocolate (USA)
Charlotte Flower (Scotland)
Casa Lasevicius (Brazil)
Feliu Chocolate (Mexico)
Krak (Netherlands)
Karuna Chocolate (South Tyrol)
Solkiki Chocolate (UK) and more.
Every bar is tempered, molded, and packaged by hand, ensuring the highest quality and a seamless pairing with the carefully chosen spices.
What makes this selection particularly intriguing is the way Carambole pushes the boundaries of flavor combinations, pairing chocolate with unexpected ingredients.
Among the standout bonbons featured in this year’s Advent calendar:
Whiskey, Orange & Colombian Specialty Coffee: A rich, layered creation where aromatic whiskey and bright citrus meet the deep intensity of Colombian specialty coffee, all encased in Krak Colombia 55% dark milk chocolate.
Amalfi Coast: Inspired by the Mediterranean, this bonbon blends black olive, marzipan, salt, almonds, and lemon, creating a perfect between savory and citrusy notes. The choice of Karuna Almond White Chocolate adds a creamy, delicate touch that brings everything together beautifully.
Vegan Passion Decadence: A completely plant-based bonbon that doesn’t compromise on depth. It features a tangy, fruity gel punctuated with vanilla dots, elegantly combined with sweet hazelnut praline.
The final flourish? Krak Tanzania 70% dark chocolate, infused with Kenyan and Colombian arabica coffee from Lef & Ido Coffee Roasters. A limited edition like no other.
More Than Just Chocolate
What truly sets this calendar apart is that it’s not just about tasting chocolate. It is about discovering it. Every day brings:
A story behind the chocolate, its origins, and the people who crafted it.
A flavor pairing with a spice, sometimes familiar, sometimes completely new.
A riddle or puzzle to engage your mind and your taste buds.
And let’s talk about presentation because this calendar is as much a work of art as it is a food experience. The round, plastic-free box, illustrated by Siberian artist Nastya Ikusova, is designed to be kept long after the holiday season. Perfect for storing keepsakes, jewelry, or simply as a reminder of a December filled with discovery.
Who Is This Calendar For?
This isn’t your typical chocolate Advent calendar. It’s designed for:
Chocolate lovers who see chocolate not just as a treat, but as an art form.
Curious minds who love to explore flavors and unravel mysteries.
Families looking for a fun, educational, and delicious way to experience chocolate together.
Whether you enjoy it solo or as a shared experience, this calendar is a journey through taste, culture, and creativity.
Personal Reflection
Having the opportunity to share Rita`s vision and her meticulous approach to bonbons is something I deeply value. Her ability to push the boundaries of flavor, all while maintaining precision and balance, is a rare skill that deserves recognition. Thank you.
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