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Chocolate Lovers
"Truly fine chocolates have several characteristics
in common: they are always fresh, contain high quality
ingredients like premium cocoa beans and dairy butter,
are usually less sweet and feature unusual textures and
natural flavors. Consequently, their taste differs
greatly from less expensive chocolates, which tend to use
artificial flavors and preservatives to achieve a longer
shelf-life." Thierry Muret, Master Chocolatier, Godiva
Chocolatier
Here are Thierry Muret's tips for engaging
all of your senses with the wonder of chocolate:
Look - Fine
chocolates have a consistent color and natural-looking
satiny sheen free of air bubbles or other blemishes. The
best chocolates also display a high degree of
craftsmanship in their shapes and designs.
Smell -
Savoring fine chocolate begins when you open the box and
take in the bouquet of the contents. Fine chocolates have
a fresh, deep aroma, not the overly-perfumed or sugary
smell associated with artificial flavors or
preservatives.
Taste - Freshly
made fine chocolates have very intense but refined
flavors and subtle nuances of textures. With the notable
exception of truffles, the couverture or outside coating
of fine European-style chocolates is often molded in a
sleek, semi-hard shape that "snaps" when you
bite into it. The inside of a chocolate piece is called
the center or filling and, in fine chocolates, is
specifically intended to complement the couverture in
terms of flavor and texture.
When tasting a piece of chocolate, let it
melt against the roof of your mouth to feel the texture.
A fine chocolate is velvety smooth without the graininess
that comes from incomplete refinement. Roll the chocolate
over your tongue, allowing the flavors to permeate your
mouth. The initial taste should be a nutty, roasted
chocolate flavor, followed by sweetness and other flavor
components. Lastly, fine chocolates tend to have a longer
"finish" or pleasant aftertaste that lingers on
the palate.
According to Muret, fine chocolates are
more expensive because they cost more to make. Their
intensity of aroma, texture and flavor, however, means
that people can easily satisfy their chocolate cravings
with only one or two pieces, making fine chocolates one
of life's affordable luxuries.
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Gourmet Chocolate's
 
For the Chocolate Lover
Created by Shari's Berries for Hale,
these huge sweet strawberries are a luxurious gift,
perfect for pampering that special someone. Dipped in
six original flavors - a variety of milk, dark and
white chocolate and further enhances with almonds,
coconut and chocolate chips.
Beautifully packaged in a black velvet lined gift
box.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries are
available year round.
Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans
An excellent treat to make for the holidays.
The mix
of gourmet chocolate and roasted coffee is great in a
drink, and even better in a dessert treat like chocolate
covered coffee beans. These are really easy to make, and
are a favorite amongst coffee lovers. Here are a couple
of recipes for you to try.
Recipe
#1
- 1/3
cup roasted coffee beans
- 1/2
cup chocolate chips
Melt the
chocolate in a double boiler until liquid and smooth.
Drop in a handful of beans, and stir them around. Scoop
them out with a spoon, and set them out on waxed paper.
Keep them separate. Continue until all the beans are
covered. They will harden overnight, or if you are in a
hurry, you can freeze them for about half an hour. Once
hard, they won't stick together and can be stored in any
air-tight container.
Recipe
#2
- 1
cup roasted gourmet coffee beans
- 4
oz gourmet chocolate pieces
- 3
tbs cocoa powder
Melt the
chocolate and cover the beans, using the technique in
Recipe #1. Let them harden a little, but not completely.
Roll the chocolate beans in the cocoa powder, and then
let them finish hardening.
I don't
normally recommend flavoured coffees, but they can add a
tasty twist to these treats. Try hazelnut or vanilla.
 
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Chocolate Dipped Apricots
 
 
 
 
Ultimate Chocolate Cake
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