How To Taste Chocolate
There is nothing wrong with just scarfing down some chocolate sometimes, but sometimes it’s nice to take a little more time and get a richer, deeper experience through really tasting the chocolate.
Tasting chocolate is more of a slow, mindful experience where you evaluate a piece of chocolate using each of your senses.
The benefit of tasting is that it will bring out more of the subtleties that you might have missed in the chocolate and give you a deeper appreciation for the differences between different chocolates.
Look
Put the chocolate against a well lit white paper/table cloth to look at its appearance.
Touch
Close your eyes! Press the chocolate to assess its finger-sensitivity. Rub between your fingers for the melting rate. Bend the chocolate to feel the resistance, and thus hardness.
Listen
With your eyes still closed, bring the chocolate close to your ear and snap it.
Smell
Rub the chocolate. Bring it to your nose and cup. Then sniff three times. In-between chocolates, smell your own body perfume to neutralize the nose.
Taste
Pinch your nose: bite and let melt, feel the tastes. Release your nose and take a deep breath: focus on the aromatic notes. In-between chocolates, drink water to neutralize your palate.
Mouthfeel
Move the chocolate against your palate, chew: explore the mouthfeel.
Chocolate Reviews
- Dark Chocolate with Pine Nuts and Forest Berries by Babaevsky
About the Company Konditerskiy Kontsern Babayevskiy (Russian: Открытое акционерное общество “Кондитерский концерн Бабаевский”) was started in 1804 and is the oldest Russian confectionery manufacturer. The company actually had to recreate its chocolate business from scratch, but has quickly become one of the biggest names in chocolate in the country. Its named either… Read more: Dark Chocolate with Pine Nuts and Forest Berries by Babaevsky - Black Chocolate Ananasinis (Pineapple) by Pergalė
About the Company Pergalė comes from Vilnius, Lithuania and was started in 1922. The brand now sells over 290 products (including chocolate boxes, chocolate bars, pralines, liquor chocolates, chocolate truffles, confections, and biscuits). Their products are available all over the world and come in some really delicious flavors. About the… Read more: Black Chocolate Ananasinis (Pineapple) by Pergalė - Talento Recheado Torta de Limão (Stuffed Lemon Pie) by Chocolates Garoto
About the Company Chocolates Garoto is a Brazilian chocolate company that has been making chocolate since 1929 when it was founded by a German immigrant. It is now one of the 10 largest chocolate producers in the world and ships to over 50 countries. It even offers ice cream and… Read more: Talento Recheado Torta de Limão (Stuffed Lemon Pie) by Chocolates Garoto - Talento Branco com Cereais e Passas (White Chocolate with Cereals and Raisins) by Chocolates Garoto
About the Company Chocolates Garoto is a Brazilian chocolate company that has been making chocolate since 1929 when it was founded by a German immigrant. It is now one of the 10 largest chocolate producers in the world and ships to over 50 countries. It even offers ice cream and… Read more: Talento Branco com Cereais e Passas (White Chocolate with Cereals and Raisins) by Chocolates Garoto - Alyonka Milk Chocolate with Banana and Caramel by Красный Октябрь
About the Company Красный Октябрь (Krasny Oktyabr or “Red October”) is a Russian confectionery manufacturer that was actually founded by a German but got its current name after the October Revolution of 1917. The company has been a major influence in Russia and even won a gold medal at the All-Russian Industrial… Read more: Alyonka Milk Chocolate with Banana and Caramel by Красный Октябрь - Black n’ Burnt Barley by Omnom Chocolate
About the Company Omnom Chocolate started in Reykjavík, Iceland in 2013. Sustainability, social justice, and environmentalism are big focuses of the company, and the founders are deeply impacted by the unique geology and ecosystem of Iceland. Omnom strives for a baroque and minimalist aesthetic that is inspired by fantastical creatures,… Read more: Black n’ Burnt Barley by Omnom Chocolate - Dark Chocolate with Bergamot & Almond Bits by Pergalė
About the Company Pergalė comes from Vilnius, Lithuania and was started in 1922. The brand now sells over 290 products (including chocolate boxes, chocolate bars, pralines, liquor chocolates, chocolate truffles, confections, and biscuits). Their products are available all over the world and come in some really delicious flavors. About the… Read more: Dark Chocolate with Bergamot & Almond Bits by Pergalė - White Sesame & Seaweed by Fossa Chocolate
About the Company Fossa Chocolate is based in Singapore (one of my favorite countries and a foodie’s paradise). They handcraft and individually wrap all of their chocolate bars. They offer a wide selection of chocolates with unique and interesting flavors. About the Bar Product Description: This luscious bar has roasted… Read more: White Sesame & Seaweed by Fossa Chocolate
