Letters & Numbers

Choosing the right chocolate is one of the most important parts of making tasty treats and it is a process that involves all five senses. The first thing to examine when inspecting the chocolate you are about to buy is the appearance. The chocolate should have a warm, brown tone. If it is at all cloudy or grayish in appearance, there is a good chance that the chocolate is old and will have little taste. Next, break the chocolate into pieces. The piece should snap easily and have a crisp, clean sound. Slightly pliable or extremely hard chocolate pieces should be avoided.

Once you have checked out the look and feel of the chocolate, give it a good sniff. It should immediately smell distinctly of chocolate. Though there may be undertones due to specialty flavors, the first scent that hits the olfactory nerves should be a rich, chocolately smell. Finally, the best part of choosing you chocolate: the taste test. Place a small piece on the tongue and let it sit. What happens next? Good chocolate will begin melting immediately and have a velvety, smooth feel on the tongue. Once you have decided what chocolate is best for you, try out various flavors and undertones.