Chocolate

[beensetfree]

We recently visited a Chocolate Museum and after the tour they offered a meager tasting session. I'd never really appreciated Dark Chocolate but now I totally get it.

The difference I think was that they offered several examples of pure cocoa bean varieties. Tasting the difference between Ecuadorian and Peruvian chocolate was incredible. There were subtle but interesting distinctions. I walked out of there with an appreciation for the dark stuff.

You could liken it to fine wine and what a Sommelier is trained to distinguish. Or the difference between a high end perfume created with care and a cheap cologne. Not that my dull palate can grasp all the subtleties but I try to enjoy it.

I never liked any chocolate before, not even the standard milk chocolate. But now I'm hooked on an 81% Ecuadorian Arriba. My husband, who disliked dark chocolate before has now developed a taste for it and likes a 60% Peruvian, which I find too sweet. And Lindt is like a song that lacks harmony, it falls flat.

So, what's your take on chocolate? Not your thing? Like it? Crave it? White, Milk, Dark?

[Phatchick]

I prefer dark chocolate myself, milk chocolate is little too cloying for me. I'm also not a big fan of flavoring in the chocolate itself; although I do like chocolate covered dried fruits like cherries or strawberries.

[beensetfree]

(03-13-2012 08:20 PM)Phatchick Wrote:  I prefer dark chocolate myself, milk chocolate is little too cloying for me. I'm also not a big fan of flavoring in the chocolate itself; although I do like chocolate covered dried fruits like cherries or strawberries.

I like dried fruits in chocolate but not fondue style with fresh. Fresh fruit requires whipped cream, which I could eat on shoe leather! The mom trick of chocolate covered raisins as healthier alternative never worked on me but now I kinda like them.

[Tiarali]

I like chocolate, but my sensitive teeth can't handle it. Chocolate flavoured cakes etc is easier for me.

My husband used to make a recipe for chocolate fudge that basically used a lot of chocolate and condensed milk. It was a very nice recipe, melted in your mouth.

I should probably have forgotten to give that book (a recipe book devoted to chocolate recipes) to him when we split, but I was trying to be fair. Oh well.

I do like dark chocolate in small doses, particularly if it's mixed with a different flavour, like mint. I'm sure the nicer chocolates wouldn't feel so heavy though.

White chocolate makes me nauseous. I can't eat it.

[laurat99]

My preference is Cadbury Dairy Milk, but Hershey's will do in a pinch. Cadbury Mini Eggs, which have a crunchy shell around the Cadbury ,is my absolute favorite candy. I haven't bought any yet this season, and I consider that a victory.

I've never liked Dark Chocolate--when I taste chocolate, I want sweet and creamy, not bitter.

White Chocolate is from the devil. Complete waste of calories and chocolate molds.

[beensetfree]

(03-14-2012 06:18 AM)laurat99 Wrote:  My preference is Cadbury Dairy Milk, but Hershey's will do in a pinch. Cadbury Mini Eggs, which have a crunchy shell around the Cadbury ,is my absolute favorite candy. I haven't bought any yet this season, and I consider that a victory.

I've never liked Dark Chocolate--when I taste chocolate, I want sweet and creamy, not bitter.

White Chocolate is from the devil. Complete waste of calories and chocolate molds.

Ok, I have to admit Cadbury's mini eggs are good. We don't get Cadbury's around here. When we visited London several years ago I nabbed some on sale. It's that crunchy coating and the clucking Flemish giant that lends to my enjoyment. But I fear eating one of those bizarre Cadbury Creme Eggs that contain liquid sugar goo that looks like egg innards. I'd die from the sweetness.

That's why I go for the dark. It all depends on your palate. I like salty, bitter, sour and spicy waaay before sweet.

[JoeR]

I would love to do a chocolate tasting. I love trying different coffees, wines, and beers. So. . .why not chocolate, too?

[EmilyKing]

I don't usually eat plain chocolate, but I like chocolate flavored desserts. Brownies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm...

[laurat99]

(03-14-2012 08:52 AM)beensetfree Wrote:  But I fear eating one of those bizarre Cadbury Creme Eggs that contain liquid sugar goo that looks like egg innards. I'd die from the sweetness.

I can't get past the raw egg look of the Cadbury Creme Eggs either. But I do know some people who wait all year for them, bless their hearts.

[exOBCstudent]

Ever since I spent time in Germany I've really liked the "Ritter Sport" brand German chocolates. They have a dark chocolate Alpine mint kind that I really like. As much as I like dark chocolate, I can't eat lots of it or I grow tired of it quickly. I guess that's why I never worry about eating too much!