Tastings | Chocolate Apprentice

Tea and Chocolate Tasting

Tea and Chocolate: These are a pair of my favorite things.

There is nothing like a vibrant cup of well brewed tea in my favorite translucent-but-strong mug, my fingers laced around its warmth, feet slung over the arm of a chair, nose in a book, to calm me down and make me feel everything is going to be okay.

I feel the same way about a square of really good chocolate. Holding a piece strategically, between tongue and hard palate, just sorta letting it melt inconspicuously, no one ever need know I am not paying attention to what they are saying. [Read more…]

Vibrant Vanilla

I had a colleague once, who used to dab vanilla behind her ears before teaching a class. She said it helped to keep her calm and reminded the kids of cookies, so they were happy.

I love the aroma of vanilla. I currently have five different bottles of vanilla extract, plus Tahitian vanilla beans in my pantry.

And it is such a complimentary flavour to many foods, but especially to my other favorite, and the chief subject of this blog: chocolate.

Whether in a vanilla crème or as the base of a hot fudge sundae, nothing matches the taste of really good vanilla. [Read more…]

Scotch and Chocolate Tasting – the Results

Well, it’s been a few weeks, but we were finally able to re-connect with my favorite Scotch Aficionado, Stephen, and his lovely partner Kathryn at their beautiful home, to complete our kiboshed-due-to-illness-the-first-time Scotch and Chocolate tasting.

As I’ve said before, I’ve always hated scotch. To me, it tastes like putting a burning campfire stick in your mouth. And I’ve always loved chocolate. It is deep, dark, velvety smooth: a single whiff of it causes me to salivate. How can these two seemingly incompatible substances possibly co-exist together on my taste buds? [Read more…]

Scotch and Chocolate Tasting

I have a friend who swears he can get me to like scotch. I can’t stand it, although it is supposed to run in my veins, being of Scottish ancestry on both sides.

Why would I want to imbibe something that burns my throat and makes me cough? Might as well smoke.

I did visit a distillery, once. Years ago, my newly married husband and I were holidaying in the Highlands, and found ourselves with a few hours to while away, while waiting for the sun to re-appear. It was, as my cousins say “chucking it down” that day on the Isle of Skye. [Read more…]

Tasting In the Dark

This week, I am fortunate to be in rehearsal with some incredible women, working on a new play: My Mother’s Story.

The director we are working with is asking us to use senses and muscles I haven’t used in years.

I come home from rehearsal every day very tired … in a good way. We are working very physically, almost dancing in some parts and since most of us are NOT dancers … there is a lot of laughter. [Read more…]