Exotic Chocolate Tasting » Wine and chocolate pairing

Chocolate with a Conscience

Roxanne Browning — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:41:59 +0000

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.

Wine and Chocolate Pairing Class

Roxanne Browning — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 21:14:59 +0000

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!

Press is Sweet on Exotic Chocolate Tasting

Roxanne Browning — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:38:26 +0000

Edible East End Dec 2012

NY’s Chocolate Sommelier Ventured to Amazon for Extreme Research

Roxanne Browning — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:44:14 +0000

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

Exotic Chocolate Tasting Events video

Roxanne Browning — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:22:15 +0000

Spa at Trump – Wellness Chocolate & Biodynamic Wine Pairing

Roxanne Browning — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:15:22 +0000

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.

Chocolate Tasting News

Roxanne Browning — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:14:24 +0000

Chocolatier- in Los Angeles – Los Angeles Area – Chowhound - I doubt either of them are open on Sunday. I haven’t had truly great chocolates in the LA area (and thus, mail order from SF / Chicago / NY based chocolatiers) – but Jin Patisserie in Venice and Boule on the edge of West Hollywood are pretty good. Not Aqua, but he might be thinking of Recchiuti.

Best restaurants for game/exotic meat dishes? – Manhattan – Chowhound - Results will be limited to the last year and sorted newest first. I want to know which restaurants are recomended that serve the best game/ exotic type meat dishes. I am tlalking things like Pork Belly, Venison, Duck, Rack of lamb, Elk, Wild Boar, Veal/Lamb/Pork Shanks, Veal/Lamb/Pork Chops, Quail, Poussin, Guinea Hen, Squab basically anything that is a little out of the ordinary and somewhat exotic.

Vosges Haut Chocolat in-store Tasting Events - Upcoming Events in Chicago all tickets are non refundable. As always, you will receive 10% OFF your chocolate purchases the evening of the event. Thursday, December 9th, 6-8pm Lincoln Park Boutique, 951 W.

tasting wine - Tasting Wine This page about tasting wine is organized by … They have very exotic floral, fruity and spicy aromas. … Rich, Spicy – Deep fruit flavors, hints of chocolate …

Why… 70 Dark Chocolate Health Benefits? The Benefits Of Diet … - CHOCOLATE HEALTH BENEFITS | Exotic Chocolate Tasting How Dark Chocolate Benefits Your Health Dark Chocolate Health Benefits | LIVESTRONG.COM Dark Chocolate Diet Lose weight with cold processed dark … How to Get Dark Chocolate Benefits …

Chocolates Based on Flavors – Jonathan Grahm – Oprah.com - This is my favorite type of chocolate tasting and one I partake in the most often. At Compartes, we do tons of different ganaches or truffles with different all-natural flavor infusions, and I always think this is the most fun way to do a chocolate tasting since you get so many different and unique flavors and flavor profiles while tasting. There is a broad range of chocolates that can be used in tastings based on flavor.

The Quest For The World’s Best Chocolate Bar: Top Websites On “How … – This blog is about my journey to find the world’s best tasting chocolate bar. I will host chocolate tasting parties with my friends and family on a regular basis. We ill evaluate chocolate bars from all over the world that are …
The Idiot’s Guide to Chocolate | Just Food Now – Despite the fact that whole books have been devoted to tasting chocolate, it really boils down to 3 things that you do anyway: you put it in your mouth to taste it and then the perfume hits you by which time it has melted in your mouth …
Farm Table Tasting: Chocolate and Cheese : Edible Manhattan – Farm Table Tasting: Chocolate and Cheese. iCal Import. Start: December 16, 2010 6:30 pm; End: December 16, 2010 7:30 pm; Cost: $30.00. Venue: Lucy’s Whey Chelsea Market; Address: 425 W 15th Street, New York, NY, United States …
Foodhoe’s Foraging » Tasting Chocolate and Soy at Recchiuti … – Tasting Chocolate and Soy at Recchiuti Confections. Are you familiar with Recchiuti chocolates? Local confectionary wizard, Michael Recchiuti makes such exquisite and beautiful pieces of edible art that he is known as the Picasso of …
Chocolate Tasting – Chocolate has amazing complexities and levels of flavor. You’ll find unique attributes for each chocolate you taste, from flavor notes to texture to finish, as though each one had a distinctive personality. Like fine wine, many things affect the final product: the blend of cacao beans, the percentage of cacao, the region where the beans were grown, as well as the timing and manner of the roasting and drying processes.
How to Taste Dark Chocolate: 11 steps – wikiHow – The actual flavor compounds found in dark chocolate exceed those of red wine, and detecting all these notes can be an extremely fun and educational endeavor. The following will serve as a guideline, so that you can extract the fullest flavor potential from dark chocolate. Being able to concentrate as intently as possible will facilitate flavor detection.
Host A Chocolate Tasting – Hosting A Chocolate Tasting Bored with the usual wine and cheese parties? Be the first in your neighborhood or social circle to throw a Chocolate Tasting Party! It’ll get your friends buzzing! What It Is Invite guests over to discover and practice tasting and appreciating chocolate together just like the pros. We’ll provide you with all the knowledge and fun tools that you need. Use our sample, or have fun designing your own.
Chocolate Tasting Party – What good is sitting alone in your room, even with several boxes of chocolate and a few bottles of wine? We NIBBLE editors have done it more than a few times it’s a long, lonely night but it’s part of our job. You, on the other hand, can be surrounded by friends who will talk about your event for years, by hosting a chocolate and wine pairing (or chocolate and beer, or chocolate and spirits). There are so many different pairings to explore: chocolate bars today, truffles tomorrow, nuts and creme-filled chocolates next month.
chocolate tasting: savoring gourmet chocolate like an expert … – Chocolate tasting skills will allow you to truly savor gourmet chocolate. And learning to taste fine chocolate and appreciate its distinctive personalities is a pleasure. With wine or coffee, many people begin their discovery with sweeter versions before developing a taste for fine, dry wines or the delicious bite of an inky black Espresso.
PARIS, CHOCOLATE. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? FOLLOW ME HERE: WWW … – PARIS, CHOCOLATE. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY? FOLLOW ME HERE: WWW.KARLETTAMONIZ.COM.
The joys of chocolate – In their quest for superior tasting chocolate, Amedei buys high quality cocoa beans direct from only the finest plantations and has even gained world …
The Best Way to Eat Chocolate; Chocolate Tasting – I’ll be short and sweet (get it) in showing you the art of tasting chocolate, because chocolate tasting is something that everyone can love to do …
Chocolate Ingredients, learning how chocolate is made – Unfortunately with chocolate ingredients it has to be exact to ensure the best tasting chocolate I’m sure you have heard one or two…

Dark chocolate bars are not created the same

Roxanne Browning — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 21:13:59 +0000

Cacao Farmer in the rain forest

Like superb wine or premium olive oils, fine chocolate has different flavor profiles, too. Wines vary by region, soil, weather, grapes and wine making process…cacao bean flavors are also influenced by the same conditions.

“Terrior” French for soil, is one of the five components that create the distinct taste that Sommeliers study to identify wines. Single origin and estate chocolates are now being recognized for their complexity of flavors in their pure state. A 70% bar from Madagascar will taste different from a 70% from Ecuador, just like a Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux will taste unlike one grown in Napa of the same year.

At Exotic Chocolate Tasting’s wine and chocolate pairing events, we look for flavors and subtleties of both and how they affect each other and the palate. Vive la différence…and the similarities!

Host an Exotic Chocolate Tasting

Roxanne Browning — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:57:59 +0000

Click to short video of events

Roxanne will guide you and your guests on a journey discovering chocolates from Madagascar, the Amazon rain forest and tropical Islands paired with wine or straight up. A passport around the world from your home, office, restaurant or wine bar. An affordable luxury creating a smart and distinct event that is both entertaining and educational, providing value within budget. Have fun with friends, family, coworkers, or business associates in this palate pleasing adventure!

Tasting chocolate is different than eating chocolate
Single-origin chocolate makers rely on the flavor of the cacao bean to shine. Unique as a snowflake, each handcrafted bar will have a distinct flavor profile. Enjoy these award winning chocolates while discovering their journey from the bean to the bar, how they sustain the rainforests and its indigenous people and mindfully savor each bite for your well being.

Chocolate & wine…now that’s a perfect sensory experience! The concept of chocolate enhancing the flavors and nuances of wine is proven each time a guest has that second sip with the chocolate. An “aha!” moment follows — Infusion of flavors using all the senses will reveal a fun new way to enjoy these beloved pleasures. Beer/spirits chocolate pairings are also available. See the video below for a peek!

Chocolate & Wine Pairing Event

A Chocolate Pairing or Tasting includes:

Each event can be customized to meet your needs:
• The world of chocolate – an interactive presentation – History of chocolate, how it’s made, the health benefits, and what to look for and avoid on a chocolate bar label
• Guided tasting of flights of chocolate; from 3 to 6 organic Direct Trade dark, milk, white, fusion, raw from 60%-80% cacao from all over the world
• Chocolate tasting place mats for rating; describe the aromas, textures and flavors

Your venue or at wine bars, winery or restaurants. Details & pricing to host an Exotic Chocolate Tasting, call or email Roxanne at 631-252-0658 ExoticChocolateTasting@gmail.com

See listing of public events on the right panel in the New York area

GIFT CERTIFICATES – Available for all public events. Sent by email or snail mail. References available upon request

Chocolate & Wine for Valentine’s Day

Roxanne Browning — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 20:04:59 +0000

Ready for wine, chocolate and romance? The perfect match… smooth, rich, and full of surprises. A sure way to score points for the “romantically challenged.” Exotic Chocolate Tasting has scheduled many public events to celebrate the sweetest day of the year.

Choose between Long Island Vineyards, Wine Bars and several Restaurants for Chocolate Covered Wine Dinners. Roxanne, New York’s Chocolate Sommelier working with chefs and wine makers to create this exciting pairings that will awaken all our senses!

See “Events-public” links on the right side panel for the venues. Pricing ranges from $18-$65 for wine & chocolate pairings; Chocolate Covered Dinners – 4-course at Bistro 72 is $72 per person, Amarelle is 6-course for $96 per person. Call for info at the numbers provided or contact Roxanne. Book early, they will be in hot! GIFT CERTIFICATES – Sent by email or snail mail