Choose Your Chocolate Well

If you think that only food experts can distinguish between varieties of chocolate, you are gravely mistaken. Even a layman can pick up some basic knowledge about the different types of chocolates available out there. Obviously, there will always be a difference between a layman and a gourmet, but then you don't have to be completely in the dark as a common man.

Some people will tell you that it all boils down to your senses. While a part of it is true, there are other tangible criteria that you can use to pick the best variety of chocolate. Here are a few of them.

1. The Color- Now, you would say nearly all chocolates are brown in color. But you have to notice the shade of brown. High quality chocolate is very dark brown in colour while the lighter ones generally have a low cocoa content.

The white chocolate on the other hand has zero cocoa content and has milk as one of its chief ingredients.

2. The Cocoa Content- This is possibly the best marker to decide the quality of a chocolate. If you like real dark chocolate, then you should go for a chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa content in it. Cocoa has another added benefit. It acts as an excellent anti oxidant and thus detoxifies your body and especially your skin.

3. The Smell- Yes, there is a difference in the fragrance of different varieties of chocolate. The ones with a high cocoa content have a milder smell like a fruit. Also, it might smell very mildly stale. If you get that feeling, don't be alarmed. Rather, you should congratulate yourself because you have just chosen for yourself one of the best varieties of chocolate out there.

Well, the art of differentiating between the aromas of chocolates will not come easy. But its an acquired thing. You will get a hang of it with time.But the, you shouldn't mind it if you get to eat chocolates along the way.

4. The Taste- Obviously, the taste of the chocolate is the most obvious indicator. Good chocolate with a high cocoa content will be slightly bitter but as chocolate lovers will agree, in a very pleasant way!

source : ezinearticles