Sunday, November 21, 2010

How do you tell it's good Chocolate?!

adapted:scientopia.org

All our senses (sight, smell, sound, touch and taste) come into play. Here are a few pointers that might help you tell whether it's high quality Chocolate.
adapted: The chocolate and coffee bibble.

Based on Appearance:
Chocolate should be smooth, brilliantly shiny and pure mahogany-black in colour.

Based on Smell:
Chocolate should not smell excessively sweet.

Based on Sound:
Chocolate should be crisp and make a distinct "snap" when broken into two. 
If the chocolate splinters, it is too dry; if it resists breaking, it is too waxy.

Based on Touch:
Chocolate with a high cacao butter content should quickly start to melt when held in the hand; this is a good sign. In the mouth, it should feel ultra smooth with no hint of graininess, and it should melt instantly.

Based on Taste:
Chocolate contains a kaleidoscope of flavours and aromas that continue to develop in the mouth. The basic flavours are bitterness with a hint of acidity, sweetness with a suggestion of sourness, and just a touch of saltiness, which helps release the aromas of cocoa, pineapple, banana, vanilla and cinnamon.


*Cacao - The botanical name and refers to the tree, the pods and at one the unfermented beans from the pods. The term is now used for beans that have been fermented.


7 comments:

thang@noodlies said...

Yum, I've always loved chocolate that melts in the hand! Now I know it's also good quality!

Passionate Mae said...

yea Thang! yea...so that's a good thing! ;)

Angie Lives to Eat (and Cook)! said...

The best thing about chocolate melting in your hands/fingers is being able to lick it all off =D

Passionate Mae said...

yea i know! hey Angie! :)

Stephanie said...

Haha, nice post - Life's too short for bad chocolate!

betty said...

mm chocolate :O)

Passionate Mae said...

Stephanie: thanks! you're so right!

Betty: hehehe.. :)