CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE: A PERFECT HARMONY
Coffee and chocolate are a natural, universally-loved combination. From mocha to tiramisu, espresso martinis to macarons, they match in surprising and exciting ways. While they are both incredibly complex in flavor, they provide outstanding results when combined. Done right, it can make the finest chocolate taste richer and the highest-quality coffee feels holier.
In this blogpost, we will uncover what makes such a dynamite flavour pairing and demonstrate how one of the most popular food combination has stood the test of time.
COCOA VS COFFEE
First and foremost, we believe the main reason coffee and chocolate have such an attraction to one another has to do with their numerous common features.
- Similar fruits
Coffee and chocolate come from a common attitude, are seeds of tropical fruit, are fermented and dried, and later carefully roasted before being consumed. That way, the unique flavors of the bean’s origin can come out.
- Similar flavors
The flavor profiles of both coffee and chocolate are mainly dominated by their bitterness. Besides, common attributes to these two products reveal fruity, spicy, floral and rich notes.
- Similar purpose
Both are meant to stimulate. While coffee contains caffeine, chocolate is full of theobromine, a natural stimulant that may elevate mood or energy for some people.
Although very similar, we just want to quickly remind you of the key differences between these two products, to really understand how they benefit one another.
|
COFFEE |
CHOCOLATE |
|
|
DERIVED FROM |
Coffea Plant |
Theobroma cacao (aka coffee tree) |
|
CONTAIN |
2 beans (in rare cases only 1) |
20 to 50 cocoa beans |
|
COME FROM |
Tropical and equatorial countries, especially in Africa |
Tropical climates like Africa, Asia, South American, and Central America |
|
TYPE OF SOIL |
Fertile, rich, volcanic red earth or porous |
Fertile, moist, well-drained |
|
'DARK' |
Refers to the type of roast |
Refers to the ratio of cocoa |
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER?
Now that we went over the key characteristics of these two products, we can move on to the more creative part. In our previous blog post, we already mentioned that flavor pairing works on two basic principles: it either complements and enhances ingredients OR creates a great and pleasant balance. When it comes to coffee and chocolate, we can firmly say that while they are amazing on their own, they form a perfect harmony when combined. And let’s face it. they are a must-have in any café, bar & restaurant, and also in any home.
Then, surprisingly (or not), this combo has more health benefits than you think - when consummed moderately. In fact, they both contain lots of antioxidants. While coffee is known for improving brain function, it also contains loads of nutrients, is a fat-burning supplement and physical performance booster. Cocoa on the other hand, is known for increasing cerebral blood flow which boosts one's cognition and attention. Together, they can be very good for your health and prevent cell damage. For example, they contribute in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and other cardiovascular diseases..
But a question remains: why do they go so harmoniously well together?
Well above all, taste plays a significant part in this popular combination. Coffee is effervescent, aromatic, and never the same. It has so many different flavor attributes with aromas being flowery, nutty and smoky, as well as tastes including acidity, bitterness, sweetness, saltiness, and sourness. Many of these qualities are common to both coffee and chocolate. Therefore, they are culinary compatible because they bring out complimentary tastes. Take the bitterness of dark chocolate; it will be an amazing compliment to the chocolatey and nutty notes found in an espresso. To enumerate, you can balance bitterness with sweetness or saltiness (Le Chevalier with our Caramel Sea Salt chocolate tablet), or can also balance sourness with spice and sweetness (L'Empereur with our White & Matcha chocolate tablet).
Yet, the best part is the longer aftertaste you get when combining coffee and chocolate. Indeed, it is all about expericing the taste interactions happening inside your month. Because drinking coffee will obviously make your mouth warmer, next time you enjoy chocolate, let it melt instead of chewing it and you will for sure appreciate all the hidden complexities of your tablet.
SO.. WHAT IS THE BEST CHOCOLATE TO EAT WITH COFFEE?
When it comes to recommending what chocolate goes with what coffee, it can be difficult to tell as in the end, it really is a matter of taste, which means that opinions will greatly vary. One thing is for sure though, your experience will undoubtedly depend on the quality of the coffee and chocolate you use are.
At Vascobelo, we believe the best coffee in the world deserves the best chocolate in the world. Therefore, we worked alongside the best Belgian chocolatiers to offer you simple but outstanding flavors, and the results exceed any expectations. Buy our coffee and chocolate, and experiment them together yourself! We can guarantee you will be able to create numerous combinations that will each be unique and unexpected. Indulge yourself in a moment of pure harmony.
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