Yum! October 2005

Oct 17 Foodie diary: Life is like a box of chocolates
Though Halloween is just around the corner, the romantic souls in the Canadian Living Test Kitchen are already dreaming of Valentine's Day. Recently, we had a tasting of Michel Cluizel chocolates at a chocolate seminar. Maybe you've noticed a variety of numbers on European chocolate bars lately (such as Cluizel, Cote D'Or, Lindt and Valrhona). These numbers designate the percentage of cocoa solids in the bar -- the higher the number, the darker, richer (and more bitter) it is.

Sweet notes from a chocolate tasting
We tasted a flight of chocolate pallets (Michel Cluizel French Chocolates-Les Nuancier) ranging from 33% (milk chocolate) all the way up to 99% (very bittersweet), displayed in a beautiful long box with the cocoa percentage printed in gold on each pallet. (This set is available from many gourmet stores and chocolate purveyors for about $70 for 70 pieces.)

This tastebud-opening experience (read more about it in our February issue) would be a great party idea, perhaps with servings of port or other postprandials. If you can't find the Cluizel set, just purchase a selection of bars (such as Lindt, Valrhona or one of many organic brands that also print the cocoa percentage on the label). Break them into squares and serve in individual dishes accompanied by place cards with the cocoa percentages, arranged from lowest to highest. To titillate your taste buds, here's a sneak peak at our tasting notes:

33% Lait - smooth and sweet
45% Grand Lait - smooth with a hint of bitterness (group favourite)
50% Mangaro Lait - milk chocolate with a bite
60% Amer - fine, elegant flavour
72% Noir - rich, lingering flavour
85% Noir - rich and intense
99% Amer - deep and dense, slow melting, unforgettable

To find out about the health benefits of chocolate, click here.

If our staff were a box of chocolates here's what we'd be:
Heather - caramel-pecan cluster
Bev - cherry cordial
Gaby - coconut cup
Alison - coffee buttercream
Andrew - hazelnut praline
Rheanna - dark chocolate truffle
James - icewine truffle
Adell - maple-walnut buttercream