Autumn is
the perfect time to hold a chocolate tasting evening, what can be more
enjoyable than good friends and great chocolate? In this article we will tell you how to taste
chocolate and give you some helpful tips to make your evening an enjoyable one.
What makes
good chocolate?
Chocolate
that has been stored properly and tempered well will have a lovely glossy
finish to it and an even colour. It isn't recommended to store chocolate in the refrigerator, not only will you
lose the gorgeous glossy finish but the taste will be dulled down.
Good
quality chocolate has a wonderful aroma.
The minute you open the packet your senses should be on full alert with
chocolaty goodness.
Chocolate
that has been tempered well should snap when you break it, not slowly tear
apart.
Tasting
evenings
If you are
holding a tasting evening this is a fun way to do it. Get everyone to bring a block of chocolate
with them, try and get your guests to be adventurous; you don’t want to spend
an evening eating the same chocolate.
The host
needs to remove the wrappers and break the blocks into small pieces and put
them on numbered plates, the same type on the same plate. Make sure as host you know what type of
chocolate is on what plate.
Give your
guests paper and pens to rank each type of chocolate.
Start with
the lightest chocolate first and get your guests to rank the look, the aroma,
the crack when they bite it and finally the taste, discuss the chocolates as
you go through. In-between each
chocolate have plain crackers and water for your guests to cleanse their
palates.
Descriptions for chocolate are similar to
wine, for example when you are looking at colour is it even, rich or warm? Does the taste linger or disappear
quickly. Is it full bodied, have fruit
undertones, earthy, bitter or sweet. Is
its texture gritty or smooth?
After you
have tried all the chocolate reveal what brand they are and what type of
chocolate it is. Your guests will
probably find they liked something they had never tried before.
And
then....you get to eat the rest of the chocolate!
There is
more detail in the book “for the love of chocolate” available in all of our
stores.
Happy
Tasting!
