Chocolate
Today I indulged myself in a 'chocolate taste-testing extravaganza'. My medium was chocolate of the Lindt variety, given to me by the wife of my youth (and hopefully of my old age - God willing), as a pre-valentines day present.
I'm not really a 'gift' person, except when the said gift belongs in the 'edible' category. These chocolates certainly did the trick. As it happens, my wife gave me chocolate from the "excellence" range of Lindt chockies, which include such wonders as 85% cocoa mass, 70% cocoa mass, normal milk chocolate, and white chocolate (which is mostly made of cocoa-butter). The extravaganza was to eat a square of chocolate from each of the above 4 varieties and see which one I liked the best.
Thesis: Chocolate rules and I am the best judge of it - and if you don't agree you can go and eat dirt, or not. GOSH!
Purpose of the experiment: to eat chocolate and judge my reactions.
Equipment: Lindt Chocolate of four (4) varieties: 85% Noir, 70% Noir, Lait, and Blanc; my tongue; my exceptionally sharp sense-evaluation centre (my brain); and my impeccable taste (related specifically to style and breeding.)
Control: ?
Here is a picture of the chocolate in question.
Evaluation: I started with the 85% and worked down from there. The 85% was quite bitter, definately an "eye-squinter" (not unlike chewing on a coffee bean). Not my favourite, but something I could probably work towards over time, like my long-established addiction to caffeine.
The 70% was really very good. Like a smooth red wine. In fact, I could imagine a nice juicy rich Shiraz suiting Lindt 70% quite well. It had a very interesting "orange-like" aftertaste: a faint citrus note subtly rounding off the earthy cocoa taste.
Having consumed two quite dark chocolates, the Lait didn't taste anything like chocolate, as the fatty-creamy consistency seemed to have overpowered the cocoa content. Probably quite nice, but not after the 70%. It would have to be all or nothing with this one: don't mix your chocolates folks! Would work with a cup of coffee, but not tea (hey, I'm a preacher after all - I couldn't possibly drink tea).
The Blanc tasted like I'd just shoved a spoon-full of butter in my mouth. Not very plesant at all. Unless you like butter, or not-butter.
Conclusion: Chocolate Rocks! But not all chocolate is equal. The 70% was my favourite by far, and if you don't agree I'm going to set my ninjas onto you.
And as they say here in North America: "peace out". (Or if you are a Christian it is: "Blessings, and have a blessed day in the blessing of the Almighty who lives and reigns forever, hallelujah amen!" Or if you're around the heathen it is "Jesus Loves You. Would you like to kneel with me right now and say the sinner's prayer?")
I know which salutation I prefer!
I'm not really a 'gift' person, except when the said gift belongs in the 'edible' category. These chocolates certainly did the trick. As it happens, my wife gave me chocolate from the "excellence" range of Lindt chockies, which include such wonders as 85% cocoa mass, 70% cocoa mass, normal milk chocolate, and white chocolate (which is mostly made of cocoa-butter). The extravaganza was to eat a square of chocolate from each of the above 4 varieties and see which one I liked the best.
Thesis: Chocolate rules and I am the best judge of it - and if you don't agree you can go and eat dirt, or not. GOSH!
Purpose of the experiment: to eat chocolate and judge my reactions.
Equipment: Lindt Chocolate of four (4) varieties: 85% Noir, 70% Noir, Lait, and Blanc; my tongue; my exceptionally sharp sense-evaluation centre (my brain); and my impeccable taste (related specifically to style and breeding.)
Control: ?
Here is a picture of the chocolate in question.
Evaluation: I started with the 85% and worked down from there. The 85% was quite bitter, definately an "eye-squinter" (not unlike chewing on a coffee bean). Not my favourite, but something I could probably work towards over time, like my long-established addiction to caffeine.
The 70% was really very good. Like a smooth red wine. In fact, I could imagine a nice juicy rich Shiraz suiting Lindt 70% quite well. It had a very interesting "orange-like" aftertaste: a faint citrus note subtly rounding off the earthy cocoa taste.
Having consumed two quite dark chocolates, the Lait didn't taste anything like chocolate, as the fatty-creamy consistency seemed to have overpowered the cocoa content. Probably quite nice, but not after the 70%. It would have to be all or nothing with this one: don't mix your chocolates folks! Would work with a cup of coffee, but not tea (hey, I'm a preacher after all - I couldn't possibly drink tea).
The Blanc tasted like I'd just shoved a spoon-full of butter in my mouth. Not very plesant at all. Unless you like butter, or not-butter.
Conclusion: Chocolate Rocks! But not all chocolate is equal. The 70% was my favourite by far, and if you don't agree I'm going to set my ninjas onto you.
And as they say here in North America: "peace out". (Or if you are a Christian it is: "Blessings, and have a blessed day in the blessing of the Almighty who lives and reigns forever, hallelujah amen!" Or if you're around the heathen it is "Jesus Loves You. Would you like to kneel with me right now and say the sinner's prayer?")
I know which salutation I prefer!
posted by Timbo at 1:04 pm
1 Comments:
as you have discovered ... chocolate tasting needs to start with milk and move towards 85%, not the other way. white should be tasted on its own another day when you need significant sugar rush.
lindt not a bad choice at all. and yes, chocolate rocks. apparently we need to try the new starbucks thing if we like chocolate.
ps thanks for the 70% the other day .. just what the explosive breathsounding preacher's yoof pasta mate needed to accompany some serious virtual boarding!
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