The Art of Tasting...Chocolate?

I have been an avid chocolate fan for years but I never knew there were proper tasting techniques when eating quality chocolates until a few days ago! We recently co-hosted a Dove Chocolate and Wine Tasting event at the winery and to my surprise, I learned that I have been missing out with enjoying the chocolate to it's fullest! Like wine, when you use the proper techniques for tasting to appreciate the complex characters of that wine, there are similiar techniques for sampling chocolates.

According to Dove, there is an Art to Tasting Chocolate as follows:


The Look
Look at the deep, rich color of DOVE® Chocolate. Notice the silky, smooth glossy shine and even coloration, which indicates a perfect combination of cocoa and cocoa butter.


The Fragrance
Rub your fingers across the chocolate to release its aromas. DOVE® Chocolate has a rich, flavorful smell that is like no other.


The Touch
DOVE® Chocolate always feels silky and smooth to the touch. Test the break of DOVE® Chocolate by snapping off a piece. At room temperature, it will have a clean and crisp break without crumbling.


The Taste
Let DOVE® Chocolate rest between your tongue and the roof of your mouth as you savor the taste. As it slowly melts away, enjoy the balanced flavor DOVE Chocolate...not too sweet or too bitter.


The Feel
Lose yourself in DOVE® Chocolate and move it around with your tongue to appreciate the lingering silky, smooth feel that is unmistakably, and only DOVE® Chocolate.


The Moment
Eating chocolate is an intimate and personal experience, with tastes varying as much as the DOVE® Chocolate offerings. Allow your taste memory to grow and tempt your palette with DOVE® Chocolate, an experience like no other.

During our Wine and Chocolate event, Sindy Wilson, our Expert Chocolatier discussed health beneftis to eating dark chocolate. Click here to find learn more about Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy?

No wonder Red Wine and Dark Chocolates complement one another! Not only are they pleasing to our taste buds and palate, but they both have antioxident properties that keep us healthy!