- Use all your senses and start the tasting experience with your eyes. What color is the chocolate? The color vary according to the percentage of cocoa content, the source of the beans and if there is presence of other ingredients such as milk powder. A glossy, smooth appearance with an even color reveals that the chocolate was well tempered and stored under optimal conditions.
- Smell the chocolate! Slightly rub the chocolate with your thumb to warm it up and release the aroma. What do you smell? Chocolate for sure but when you compare with other chocolates you might be able to notice variations and intensities. Do you notice a nutty, fruity or earthy aroma?
- Snap it! This action is more appreciated with a thin chocolate bar rather than a big chunk. The sound it makes can tell you about how well-tempered the chocolate was as well as the finest of the grain achieved during the refining process. That is the first step to know how the texture will be once in your mouth.
- Time for the mouthfeel! The texture is as important as the flavor. Don’t be too excited and don’t bite or chew just yet. Place a piece of chocolate against your palate and pass your tongue at the bottom to feel the texture and how it melts. How does it feel? Smooth and creamy? Slimy, dry, grainy, hard? A fine and creamy chocolate will definitely leave you with a better feeling than a dry and crumbly bite. Now you can chew it! Does it feel fudgy, sticky, cakey?
- Taste it! The second piece is usually best to start tasting as you have prepared your mouth with the first piece and warmed up your taste buds. How does the taste develops from start to finish and even after swallowing the last bit? Does the flavor come quickly and last a long time?
Using your 5 senses in order to detect and get to know your ultimate preferences in chocolate is a must and you will definitely develop better tasting abilities the more often you practice and maybe even get to appreciate chocolate flavors you did not imagine you could acquire a taste for. Go ahead and give it a try to get the most out of your chocolate bar crafted with passion!
Enjoy!