Each piece of chocolate has subtle nuances of taste, smell, and texture that make it unique. If you want to learn to distinguish a truly superior piece of chocolate, here's how to taste chocolate correctly:
- You'll want to taste your first piece of chocolate when your palate is completely clear. This will allow you to detect subtle taste differences that might not otherwise be detectable. To clear your palate, sip a cup of white tea or eat a small piece of bread before sampling your first bite of chocolate.
- Breathe in the aroma of your first chocolate. Place it in your hands, hold it up to your nose, and breathe in deeply to take in its full aroma.
- After characterizing the smell of the chocolate, take a moderate sized bite (a nibble is too small to determine the true flavor) and allow it to slowly melt on your tongue. First note the texture. Is it smooth or slightly grainy? After noting the texture, allow it to slowly dissolve on your tongue while experiencing the flavor. Is it super sweet, slightly bitter, or vaguely astringent? Lastly, note the aftertaste the chocolate leaves in your mouth as it dissolves.
- Before proceeding to the next piece of chocolate, clear your palate again by drinking a few sips of white tea or nibbling on a piece of bread.
By sampling a variety of chocolates, you'll gradually learn to distinguish subtleties in flavor and texture. Visit a chocolate store and sample a variety of different offerings. Pretty soon you'll be a chocolate tasting expert!
