Everyone has an intricate system for tasting, commonly called taste buds. We are all born with these amazing flavour receptors and they help us decide what we do and do not like to eat and drink. Everyone is different; some of us like a sweet goodies and others enjoy a more savoury taste. Food preferences are related to the kinds of food we are familiar wtih eating and our capability to taste various flavours. Do your best to open your mind and let your taste buds do the talking.

So, on that note, how about chocolate and coffee?

The warmth and bitterness of coffee paired with the sweet smoothness of chocolate…mmmmm. Coffee enhances the flavours of chocolate. Both coffee and chocolate have a variety of unique flavours and are independently complex. When paired together, delicious combinations are created.

Coffee and Chocolate are like two peas in a pod. Literately! The reason cacao and coffee have such a similar connection has to do with their production being so related. Coffee and cacao come from a common latitude, both are seeds of a tropical fruit that are fermented and dried at their origin, both types of bean share many of the same aromas. Roasting is a key stage in the preparation process, as this unlocks the aromas. Naturally, the growing region, soil conditions and climate all influence how a particular bean will taste further down the line.

So apart from enjoying these two beauts at a tasting or in a restaurant after dinner, why not combine them and make a caffè mocha, which in its most basic formulation, can also be referred to as hot chocolate with a shot of espresso added. Like cappuccino, caffè mochas typically contain the distinctive milk froth on top, although, as is common with hot chocolate, they are sometimes served with whipped cream instead.

If for no other reason that they simply taste amazing together, try and be creative.  Try pairing an orange flavoured chocolate with our Ugandan organic coffee.  A delicious mint crisp with our Honduran single origin or why not just pour an Ethiopian shot over a dollop of chocolate ice cream.

 

Can we hear you say yum yet?