Chocolate

• How to Taste Chocolate

Enjoying Chocolate

Chocolate is something that everyone can enjoy. It's much more than a chocolate bar from the convenience store - chocolate is like a fine wine, if you take your time, learn more about it, and savour it, you can really enjoy it. Here are some things to know about enjoying it.

Tasting Chocolate

When tasting chocolate, try to select one type of chocolate at a time. Bittersweet or milk - don't mix the two or you won't get to experience the subtle nuances of each piece. Drink water and have an unsalted cracker as a palette cleanser after each piece.

Look

Look for a consistent color and gloss.

Listen

Breaking the chocolate can indicate a chocolate's quality - a bright, clean snap indicates good texture.

Smell

Rub the chocolate slightly with your thumb and inhale deeply, cupping your hands as if holding a coffee or brandy, and inhale deeply. Savour the aroma and note how it lingers in your nose.

Taste

This is really what it's all about - pop that piece of chocolate in your mouth and let it slowly melt on your tongue. Delicious! Notice the texture - smooth? Gritty? Grainy? What about the flavour - does it come quick or slow? Does it change over time? Are there other flavours in there? Chocolate makers add other ingredients to spice it up or provide unique chocolate blends.