Wine and Chocolate

it reached your soul? What is she talking about, I just came here to buy some chocolate online!

Not just any chocolate… the best chocolates are made by farmers that [...]]]>

Welcome. “Chocolate with a Conscience” is where you have just arrived. Chocolate has found its way into your heart and body, but has

Wine and Chocolate

it reached your soul? What is she talking about, I just came here to buy some chocolate online!

Not just any chocolate… the best chocolates are made by farmers that are fairly compensated and preserve the delicate ecosystem of their rain forests. (known as Fair Trade or Direct Trade) By ethical chocolate makers that partner with the farmers then transform cocoa beans with few ingredients with integrity and love to capture chocolates true essence in your dark chocolate bar.

My mission though Exotic Chocolate Tasting is to bring awareness of the people that created the chocolate, the chocolate health benefits, and to demonstrate how to mindfully savor every morsel for your well being in a guided tasting experience.

Explore this site, whether you decide to book an event or make a purchase, leave with a little more intent for your soul.

In Deed and in Truth we are all one.

Perfect for foodies that want something new, or for anyone who wants to enhance their appreciation of wine and chocolate while having fun! Learn how to identify the complimentary flavors of wine and chocolate using all the senses and discover a fun new way to enjoy your favorite pleasures.

Each wine bar, [...]]]>

A Palate Pleasing Adventure!

Perfect for foodies that want something new, or for anyone who wants to enhance their appreciation of wine and chocolate while having fun! Learn how to identify the complimentary flavors of wine and chocolate using all the senses and discover a fun new way to enjoy your favorite pleasures.

Each wine bar, winery or restaurant will be a different experience. Like a snowflake, each pairing is unique. New York’s Chocolate Sommelier does the hard work finding the pairing that will compliment…you enjoy!

Edible East End Dec 2012

Roxanne recently traveled to the Kallari Cocoa Cooperative in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest to learn chocolate making from the cacao pod to the bar. Living with a host family in their thatched roof hut in the small Kichwa village of Ilayacu, the community welcomed her interest on how [...]]]>

Roxanne Harvesting a cacao pod

Roxanne recently traveled to the Kallari Cocoa Cooperative in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest to learn chocolate making from the cacao pod to the bar. Living with a host family in their thatched roof hut in the small Kichwa village of Ilayacu, the community welcomed her interest on how they have been harvesting cacao for centuries. Her hands-on experience will be incorporated into her wine and chocolate events in the New York area.

Luis opening a cacao pod

The origins of cacao began there thousands of years ago, when the Kichwa farmers harvested and sold the valued beans to the Incas to create the “Food of the gods”. Today, Kallari Chocolate is on of the few farmer-owned chocolate bars and has created sustainable income so Kichwa people can fulfill basic family needs without logging the rainforests or giving up their land to oil companies.

The experience enriched Roxannes’ ability to convey the importance of location, cocoa bean variety and the terroir that make up the flavor profile of chocolate. Additionally, it put a face on the farmers who produce the product–an important part of the growing farm-to-plate education trend.

Most people think that fine dark chocolate comes from France, Switzerland or Pennsylvania, and don’t know it’s a fruit grown in a tropical climate.

Knowing the source of their food empowers consumers, they can make a choice between sustainable chocolate versus commercial chocolate made from bulk cocoa beans imported from West African countries that exploit child slaves.

Inside a fermented bean showing 3 varieties

Once they are aware, will consumers opt for the bar, chocolate bunny or Santa made from commercial chocolate or Direct or Fair Trade chocolate? Roxanne’s mission is to bring awareness so that they will opt for the one that helps, not hurts children from other nations.

To view a photo essay on the trip, visit the Exotic Chocolate Tasting Face Book Page Go to photos tab

Duration : 0:1:26

This will be a  ‘hands on’ experience on how chocolate is made by the indigenous people. Kallari Chocolate has created sustainable income so Kichwa people can [...]]]> Roxanne will be volunteering at the Kallari cocoa cooperative in the heart of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest from June 7-16 to learn chocolate making from the cacao pod to the bar.

This will be a  ‘hands on’ experience on how chocolate is made by the indigenous people. Kallari Chocolate has created sustainable income so Kichwa people can fulfill basic family needs without logging the rainforests or selling their land.

Living with a host family, assisting in communal chores and harvesting cacao for market. The organizer recommended a Swiss Army knife or can opener as an appropriate “thank you” for the host family. This put everything into perspective, we take for granted our comforts…the Kichwa people live simply and respect the land. The collective, comprised of 850 families make up this cooperative, living in huts that have no plumbing or electric, the more affluent families have concrete floors and an out-house. My idea of camping is staying at a Super 8 motel, so this will be a real challenge for a Long Island gal that has never been without a hair dryer!

The experience will enrich my ability to convey the importance of location, cocoa bean variety and the terroir that make up the chocolate served at my Exotic Chocolate Tasting events. It will also put a face on the farmers who produce the product–an important part of the growing farm-to-plate education trend.

Knowing the source of their food empowers consumers, they can make a choice between sustainable chocolate versus commercial chocolate made from bulk cocoa beans imported from West African countries that exploit child slaves. Once they are aware, will consumers opt for the bar, chocolate bunny or Santa made from commercial chocolate or direct or fair trade chocolate? My mission is to bring awareness so that they will opt for the one that helps, not hurts children from other nations.

This fact the cocoa industry chooses to hide and has broken international agreements not to import beans from West African countries that support slave labor. The exporters buy children as young as 7 years old to cut down the cocoa pods with machetes and [...]]]>

Chances are Child Slaves Harvested the Cocoa to Make Your Child’s Bunny

This fact the cocoa industry chooses to hide and has broken international agreements not to import beans from West African countries that support slave labor. The exporters buy children as young as 7 years old to cut down the cocoa pods with machetes and harvest the beans.

These children are smuggled into the Ivory Coast by human traffickers with the promise that they will make money for their needy families in nearby countries. These families never see their children again. Human traffickers make about $230 euros per child. Their corrupt government has covered up this issue since cocoa is their leading export.

How sad it is that American children receive “Blood Chocolate” to celebrate a Holy day at the expense of children their own age. If you give chocolate for Easter, do not give any chocolate make by Hershey, MM Mars, Godiva, Cadbury, Nestle, Kraft or any generic or brand drug store chocolate. Look for the Fair Trade label or Direct Trade that is described on the label.

Exotic Chocolate Tasting approves of the following sources:  Savorique has fine chocolates that are slave free, also you can find them at Food Emporium, Fairway, Whole Foods and health food stores. Even local chocolatiers buy bulk chocolate to re-melt it down and mold into those cute bunnies. They may not even know that the bean source is from West Africa, where the in the Ivory Coast alone 12,000 children are enslaved.

Be an informed and caring consumer by knowing where your chocolate and other foods like coffee and tea comes from. More info found on “What is Fair Trade” tab above.

Tuesday, April 26  7-9pm Trump Soho Hotel-Spa at Trump 246 Spring Street, NY, NY

Antidote Chocolate, made from a blend of raw and roasted organic Ecuadorian cacao, dried fruits, flowers and spices for purity and nutrition are paired up with biodynamic red wines from South America’s acclaimed wine regions.

Roxanne Browning, New York’s Chocolate Sommelier from Exotic [...]]]>

Tuesday, April 26  7-9pm Trump Soho Hotel-Spa at Trump
246 Spring Street, NY, NY

Antidote Chocolate, made from a blend of raw and roasted organic Ecuadorian cacao, dried fruits, flowers and spices for purity and nutrition are paired up with biodynamic red wines from South America’s acclaimed wine regions.

Roxanne Browning, New York’s Chocolate Sommelier from Exotic Chocolate Tasting and Matt Spirn from The Northport Tasting Room will be your guides though this relaxed evening that will awaken all your senses… and enrich your mind. Chocolate maker, Red Thalhammer will share her knowledge of chocolate health benefits of her chocolates named after Greek goddesses.

Experience this first time event at the luxurious and peaceful setting of the Spa at Trump. Treat your body, mind and soul with the gift and the “Food of the gods.”

Event was a great success, fun had by all. Photos and video will be posted on my Face Book page shortly.