Chocolate isn’t just chocolate anymore. It’s a foundation for flavor profiles that tap into our comfort zones and add a kick to our adventurous sides. From the classic chocolate covered strawberry, to the chipotle cocoa combination that knocks our socks off… chocolate is the perfect best friend for hundreds of flavor profiles.
Let’s start with one we’re all familiar with: salt! Chocolate with salty peanuts, or sea-salted caramel, makes us ooh and ahh over the intense flavor you wouldn’t otherwise have without a pinch of salt! But why? Why do a few crystals of salt pack such a punch? Science! Salt cuts bitterness and seems to make sweet even sweeter! To simplify the science: our sweet taste cells contain intestinal glucose sensors that, when sodium is present, transport glucose to our sweet taste cells, making our tongues and tummies register a sweetness we wouldn’t normally detect. Try it out! Take a bite of one of our salty-sweet combinations and taste the difference!
For those of us that like a little heat… try pairing chocolate and chili peppers! An intense kick that bursts from the creamy sweetness of the chocolate is sure to satisfy our search for spice. The ancient Aztecs found it first and knew just what they were doing. The heat from a pepper adds another level to the sweet and bitter profile of chocolate that is unlike anything else.
Next, take a venture into the garden, and try adding some herbs to your chocolate! A lot of our favorite herbs have a hidden sweetness that chocolate seems to grab by the hand and bring to the center stage. We use herbs and citrus in a lot of our savory dishes… so add chocolate… give your taste buds something to talk about! You won’t be disappointed.
What about florals? Florals and herbs have a lot to do with our nose and not our tongue. While our taste buds pick up on certain sweetness and earthiness, our nose is registering those rich smells from flowers and herbs and registering them as a whole different flavor! That’s why you’ll see chocolate paired with things like lavender, or rose because our mouth and nose know just how to work together to bring us something totally new and delicious!
Mint chocolate chip… the ice cream flavor that is always on the menu. But why? At first glance, who wants to taste their toothpaste when they’re eating ice-cream and chocolate? Simply… everyone! Mint is a strong, fresh flavor that cuts the intense richness of chocolate that leaves our palette refreshed and wanting more!
What’s you’re favorite chocolate pair? The Chocolate Truffle is open and ready to help you taste test your way to the perfect pairing. Come try our favorites!
