Chocolate. Chocolate University Online has chocolate education for everyone!
Do it yourself chocolates. Learning about chocolate. Chocolate art. Chocolate tourism. Unique Flavors in Exotic Chocolate Bars: Chocolatiers are Adding Unusual Combinations to Specialty Candy. According to the World Atlas of Chocolate, people worldwide love their chocolate. Approximately 11.6 pounds of chocolate are consumed annually by each American, while the Swiss take the chocolate cake with 22.4 pounds per person each year. Old school milk chocolate bars and dark chocolate bars are still popular, but chocolate consumers are developing more sophisticated palates, leading to an explosion of new flavor temptations.
Spicy Chocolate Bars Some like it hot, even with chocolate. Chocolatiers are adding red pepper and chilies for a hot, spicy sensation in some candy bars. Dagoba Organic Chocolate offers the Xocolatl bar, a 74% dark chocolate bar with chilies that combines flavors similar to the ancient chocolate drink once enjoyed by the Aztecs. Spices and Seasonings in Gourmet Chocolate Bars All kinds of spice and seasoning blends are turning up in chocolate form. Mint is becoming a standard flavor associated with chocolate. Chocolate Bars with Fruit Coffee with Fine Chocolate. Aztec Truffles - Recipe for Spiced Aztec Chocolate Truffles. I named these "Aztec truffles" because these dark chocolate treasures are flavored with cinnamon and chile, two spices commonly paired with chocolate in Aztec culture.
There is also a hint of orange to complement the fruitiness of the dark chocolate. This is definitely a recipe where you want to splurge on the best chocolate you can afford--good chocolate transforms truffles into a truly gourmet experience. Ingredients: 2/3 cup heavy cream12 ounces best-quality dark chocolate, finely chopped or gratedZest from one orangeOne cinnamon stick1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder1 tsp cayenne pepper Preparation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Note: I like a bit of a kick in my truffles, and I find 1 tsp cayenne is just to my liking. Socially Conscious Gourmet Chocolate Products: Specialty Chocolatiers Promote Fair Trade and Organic Chocolates. Gourmet chocolates make great gifts and what better gift than one that is socially responsible. Chocolate makers have gone beyond just traditional milk, dark and white chocolate candy to produce chocolate treats made from organic and fair trade chocolates.
Making Organic Chocolate According to the World Agroforesty Centre, cocoa is grown in humid, rainy areas near the Equator, such as Africa, Asia and South America. Cocoa trees actually grow better in small areas, where they can be planted in the shade of larger trees such as banana trees. This makes an ideal crop for a small farmer who can grow a variety of food items. To be certified organic, the cocoa must be grown without chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Fair Trade Chocolate Fair trade standards benefit the farmers and workers that participate by guaranteeing minimum commodity prices and fair working standards.
Specialty Gourmet Chocolate Companies Using Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate Where to Buy Organic and Fair Trade Chocolates. Taste Chocolate. Product Reviews / Main Nibbles / Chocolate Overview Understanding how to taste chocolate requires lots of practice—which is music to the ears of any chocolate lover. Chocolate experts agree that the only way to learn how to taste is from plain bars. Anything else—bonbons, truffles or bars with nuts or other flourishes—gets in the way of analyzing the pure chocolate. But before you start tasting, you need to visit our prior article on Gathering The Bars To Taste. This is Page 1 of a two-page article. Click on the black links below to visit Page 2. In an organoleptic* exploration of chocolate, one examines: *Relating to perception by a sensory organ.
Appearance First, look at the surface appearance of the bar. It should have an even texture and a shiny gloss with no discoloration, pitting or bloom. Snap Professionals gauge the quality of chocolate by its “snap”: the clear, crisp sound made by breaking a piece of chocolate from a bar. The snap should be clean, without crumbling or bending.
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