Thorntons Continental Collection chocolates

Thorntons Continental Collection is a premium assortment of milk, dark, and white chocolates inspired by European flavors. The range was introduced in 1954, with Swiss confectioner Walter Willen playing a significant role in its development. The chocolates are crafted using carefully selected ingredients, including sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, dried whole milk, hazelnuts, and almonds. The collection features a variety of flavors such as Sicilian Mousse, Seville Caramel, Hazelnut Slice, Viennese Deluxe, Hazelnut Milano, Gianduiot, Espresso, Salted Caramel, Alpini Praline, and Vanilla Truffle. Thorntons, the company behind the Continental Collection, was founded in Sheffield, England, in 1911. Over the years, it expanded its presence with numerous stores across the UK. In 2015, Thorntons was acquired by the Italian food giant Ferrero, which invested £45 million to revive the brand's fortunes. However, between 2016 and 2021, the number of Thorntons stores declined from 252 to 61, leading to the closure of the remaining shops. Despite the store closures, the Continental Collection remains available through various retailers, both in the UK and internationally.