While today the chocolate market boasts of quite a few high end chocolate giants, there are other smaller establishments that offer their own epicurean treats for chocolate addicts. Perhaps one of the reasons why these stores are not as well known is because the volume of their production is not in the same scale as the large corporations that are well-known today. But, possibly this could also mean their chocolates are individually and more painstakingly prepared. The only way to find out would be to try them while at the same time applying some judgment on how to pick and rate gourmet high end chocolates.
Basic Tenets in Choosing Gourmet High End Chocolates
1. Expect your chocolate to cost you. Gourmet chocolate is expensive to produce, involving complex importation procedures and selection processes, not to mention expensive ingredients and meticulous cooking procedures. Be ready to pay a lot but do exercise wisdom and survey prices.
2. Read reviews and articles on chocolatiers and their products so you can narrow your choices somewhat and focus on the delicacies you think you will like. There is such a wide array of chocolates to choose from you could go crazy going through all of them. So, do ask yourself if you want dark chocolate or milk chocolate or white chocolate. Decide if you want to nibble on crème, nuts, fruit or caramel.
3. Pay attention to the ratings of specific products; all chocolate houses have their specialties and their so-so merchandise.
4. Look at the labels or product descriptions. Gourmet chocolates rarely, if ever, come packaged with this type of labeling but there is nothing to stop you from finding out whether preservatives, vegetable oil or soy have been used in the tidbit you are about to pop into your mouth. In general, you should look for high cocoa content, the presence of cocoa butter and an indication that genuine extracts, not imitation flavoring, have been in your candy.
5. Check the appearance of the chocolate. This should appear smooth and satiny, free from light streaks, powdery edges and traces of chocolate grit. Watch out for dots, cracks or any sign of cloudiness. These things do not necessarily affect flavor but if you are talking about gourmet chocolate which you will presumably be buying at gourmet prices then you are entitled to the best.
6. Smell the chocolate. If it smells overpoweringly strong and you can detect a trace of chemicals or too much flavoring, what you are holding is not gourmet chocolate. The best chocolate will have a rich but delicate scent.
7. Taste the confection. Bite off a small piece and let it lie against the roof of your mouth at the tip of your tongue. The piece should be smooth and should dissolve in a few seconds, releasing its unique flavor. Anything that is too sweet or too bitter or too fruity falls short of being gourmet chocolate. What you want is the subtle but unmistakable blending of flavors with chocolate retaining its identity.
8. If you are interested in how your chocolate was made, find out it is Belgian, Italian and French. These actually refer to a specific process used in creating the confection. Swiss chocolate is processed differently, using condensed milk as an ingredient.
9. Go to the shops and try two or three free samples. Beyond that, your taste buds could become desensitized so make up your mind before reaching saturation point.
10. Lastly, remember that picking gourmet chocolate should be an enjoyable process. Savor each piece that comes your way. Take your time; remember that you can't have too much of a good thing if you want to keep it a good thing. Besides, when it comes to enjoying gourmet high end chocolates, tomorrow is another day.
No comments:
Post a Comment