How To Pair Chocolate and Coffee
May 17, 2022
Chocolate and coffee are two of my most favorite food in the world. Put them together and you get a match made in heaven! When done right, coffee can boost the chocolate taste making it richer and smoother than silk. You can tell from this that I’m already day dreaming about it!
Finding the perfect pair of chocolate and coffee to have together is not a walk in the park, but trust me it’s definitely worth it. They both have unique flavors that complement each other.
You just have to take into consideration the different flavors and level of acidity there is. Also, deciding what type of chocolate and coffee are you going to use?
Well, worry no more! We’ve got a quick and simple guide here for you.
Coffee
First things first, is what’s keeping us sane in the morning through all these years, is coffee. It is important to note the acidity in your coffee so make sure to use freshly roasted quality coffee. Because no one really deserves bad coffee, right?
With that said, coffee has a lot of flavors and layers of complexity. Different types of roasts pairs perfectly different types of sweetness. There is also the matter of aroma and texture. Different coffee from all over the world have hints of fruits and nuts in them, too.
Did you know that chocolate and coffee are both derived from tropical plants? They are both made from similar process of drying and roasting the seeds. No wonder they taste so good together!
Since this pairing isn’t a one size fits all, it is recommended to start with four traditional flavors: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Then combine and experiment with different types of roasts and chocolate. In addition, taste varies depending on the specific origins of the beans (for both chocolate and coffee).
Chocolate
Okay, so here comes what all of us love, chocolate. Do you enjoy dark chocolate? Milk chocolate? Or perhaps white chocolate? There are a lot of varieties at this point so it’s better to know your priorities here.
There are various ways to enjoy chocolate and coffee together. You can mix them in one drink, like a mocha coffee. Or maybe just toppings like in Frappuccino. You can also keep them side by side and savor the flavors with bites and sips.
Whatever way you want it, I’m sure it’s vital to keep the balance of flavors and find the ones that complement each other. You can either do sweet and salty or go for both nutty flavors. It really depends on your preference and taste buds!
Some proven pairing ideas are the following:
Nutty Tones
Lovers of nut-toned coffees can best pair their cup with dark chocolates of about 70% cocoa content. Nutty aroma usually has a Brazilian and Columbian origin which have dense and creamy nut base.
The dark flavors of the chocolate are perfect for chocolatey and nutty goodness of the coffee. However, if you are not a fan of dark chocolates (like me!), you can also try to pair it with milk chocolate or fruity chocolates to create contrasting texture and flavor.
Fruity and Floral Tones
Coffee with fruit and floral tones, like Africans, Costa Rican, and Guatemalan origins, are best paired with light to milk chocolates since dark chocolates tend to overpower the aroma of the coffee. Sweeter chocolates also complement fruity tones. Also, try chocolate covered nuts because they taste particularly good with these brews.
Spicy and Earthy Tones
Earth and spice-toned coffees, like Sumatran, Indonesian and Papua New Guinea origins, are usually low in acidity and have a heavier mouthfeel, so they are best paired with darker chocolates with slight bitterness.
Look for chocolates with at least 53% of cocoa content. The bitterness helps compliment the flavor of the coffee. You can also add a little amount of salt in the chocolate or be adventurous and try chocolates with dried fruits for a more contrasting taste.
Dark Roasts
Coffees with dark roasts vary depending on the length of their roasting time. The darker the roast, the more muted the flavors of the beans. Try a robust espresso with a 70% dark chocolate. Lighter roasts tend to be sweeter like Vienna origin. As it goes darker, the flavor tends to be more bitter like the Italian origin. French roasts are the more general choice, which is the in-between, and posses the combination of sweet and bitter.
Chocolate and Coffee Overall
Experimenting is the key. Try different combinations until you find what you like and taste them again and again while analyzing the flavors and aroma. This would really be a great morning ritual and discover new flavors along the way!
How about you? How do you pair chocolate and coffee? Share them in the comment section below and don’t forget to follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts for more fun and interesting chocolatey ideas!
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