A chocolate tasting party is all about good fun.You get to eat a lot of chocolate in small amounts, compare notes on the flavors, and maybe even discover a new chocolate type that you want to keep consuming.Since it's not necessary to consume alcohol at the chocolate tasting party, it can be a great way to bring friends or family together.It's an excuse to eat gourmet chocolate and support a good cause.
Step 1: The tasting can be done in the afternoon or evening.
You want it to be after people have eaten and feel satisfied, but before they feel hungry for the next meal.
Step 2: Select your guests.
It is best to have a small group of people.People who are interested in enjoying food should be invited.A chocolate party is more likely to be enjoyed by people who like wine.
Step 3: Pick your menu.
There are many types of chocolate.Pick out a few different kinds of chocolate.You can talk to your guests about how chocolate is made and how the cacao industry works, if you choose organic and fair trade chocolates.There are some chocolates that are made with goat's milk.Not all of the chocolates are made in one bar.You can give your guests chocolates with less sugar than they are used to.It will seem bitter at first, but challenge them to notice the different flavors.If you have enough, you can choose chocolates that are made in your region.You can find a chocolate shop in the nearest city.
Step 4: Purchase chocolate for everyone.
Each of your guests should have at least two squares of each bar.This is not a chocolate eating party.
Step 5: A sheet is needed for notes.
It should look like a spreadsheet, with columns for aroma, flavor, texture, finish, and the chocolates you've chosen listed on the left.Make copies and have them ready for your guests.If you want to encourage people to mingle, put the chocolates in a different order for each sheet, so you have, say, two random people at one chocolate at any given time.If you have guests, be sure to have them taste the sweetest chocolates.
Step 6: Each chocolate has a plate on its own table.
Break up the chocolate into pieces.If you want to be fancy, stack them up.It's important that people know which chocolate they're tasting by having an open bar next to the plate.If you don't want your guests to know which chocolate they're tasting, or if you want to see if people like the difference between organic and sheep's milk chocolate, use generic.
Step 7: Plain bread or crackers can be provided as a palate cleanser.
Water and napkins are provided.
Step 8: Everyone should be given a brief talk about tasting chocolate.
The article How to Taste Chocolate is useful.It's important to impress everyone that they're there to taste the chocolate consciously and deliberately, rather than wolfing it down.
Step 9: There are notes to compare.
Ask everyone what their favorite chocolates were at the end of the party.If you're feeling generous, you could give each guest a bar of their favorite chocolate.