Chocolate pairs well with... Tequila?

by Nicole Weston, Posted Dec 3rd 2005 @ 8:02PM

chocolate pairing

The Wall Street Journal brought to my attention the growing demand for chocolate pairings. As the popularity of darker, more complex chocolate grows, people are no longer simply munching on a chocolate bar at work; they want to enjoy their chocolate to its fullest extent. Wine has been paired with chocolate with great success, since the fruity undertones of many wines match well with the fruity notes in chocolates, particularly good dark chocolates. Chocolat Celeste hands out wine pairing suggestions with its truffles. And Fran’s Chocolates Stores sell wine alongside their confections.

But also growing in popularity is the pairing of other liquors with chocolate. The Journal reports that high end chocolatiers like Michel Cluizel are offering pairings with tequila and New York stores and bars are offering chocolates alongside their cocktails.

Personally, I like to pair chocolate with coffee, since they are far more similar than coffee and wine. Chocolate and coffee have similar flavor profiles, so neither should cause the other to taste unpleasant, instead emphasizing the underlying sweetness and complexity.

Source

Filed Under: Trends, Newspapers, Ingredients, Drink Recipes
Tags: chocolate, coffee, wine

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-04-2005 @1:12PM M-L said... My friends keep trying to convince me that chocolate does not go with.... beer. But it does!!! A nice sharp lager, or a spiced ale, chocolate porter...hello?!

Try it. You'll like it. Just learn to admit it.
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12-04-2005 @1:26PM Kelley Ritchey said... How about champagne and chocolate covered strawberries? It's a pairing I've tried- and liked.

But otherwise this will be new territory to explore.
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12-04-2005 @6:01PM Nicole Weston said... It wouldn't suprise me at all if chocolate went well with dark beers. And chocolate and champagne is a good combination - but I think I'll take the strawberries and champagne alone!
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12-04-2005 @9:03PM Cris Pearson said... I also vote for beer and Chocolate. Goes very well. As does cheese. Better than wine even.
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12-05-2005 @12:54PM normyk said... Oh, good beer and chocolate is one of my vices - they go very well together. I also like Kahlua and milk (sometimes with a little Bailey's) with chocolate. I can see champagne and chocolate as well, though I generally don't care much for champagne. I suppose a good Tequila could work as well.

Cheese and chocolate though.... I think you would have to be very careful in your pairings for that to work.
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12-05-2005 @4:31PM cybele said... Dark chocolate and Ouzo or some other licorice liquor like Pastis is really nice.

I also think Cognac and truffles is an excellent combo and Tequila goes surprisingly well with White Chocolate (or with a margarita).

I'm thinking about trying an after-dinner tray of ganache filled raspberries and limoncella next weekend.
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