Exquisite French Chocolates
Fermentation is the key
Yeah, it’s funny. There is a truth to that, also. Wine and chocolate bear some procedural similarities. Both are fermented, both are agricultural products, and both require few ingredients. From there, the change becomes greater. It is true that the winemaker can choose from a variety of yeasts to enhance or hide flavors found in the grape juice. The chocolatier cannot alter the beans, but may select from a wide variety. Also, the fermentation process and the skill of the producer can yield exquisite chocolate with deep flavor profiles to more accessible and utilitarian.
Beans from a tree?
The tree is called cocao, pronounced Ca-Cow. The fruit, which bears the beans inside, is cocoa. Like any good craft, there is no shortage of vocabulary which is confusing. The beans inside the pod are white. The beans turn brown after they are spread out on screens to air dry where the white outside turns brown.
After that, these dried, brown beans are then shipped to manufacturers where they are shelled, crushed and ground. Now were cooking. From powder to finished product is a long and hard process. The parts, cocoa liquor and cocoa butter are mixed with some additional ingredients. Each producer guards that secret well. The ingredients are mixed in large vats in a process called Conching, which is combines physical agitation to emulsify the chocolate and friction to add heat and bring out the flavors. Great chocolate is no easy thing to make. Heck, chocolate at all is complex. Yet, we know there are some who have succeeded fabulously with changing a pod’s contents into sublime deliciousness. We can name some of our favorite makers of our favorite portable therapy. Those chocolatiers have exceed nearly all standards and are world class.
Treats after eats
I have made chocolates, the filled goodies given at the end of a meal. I can tell you that chocolate work is no easy thing. And I was just working with the finished product. Making exquisite chocolates is a craft to be admired and enjoyed. I know you are going to enjoy the amazing chocolates. A perfect way to bring in the New Year!
Listen to the podcast
Listen to cookie bakery owner David Okamoto talk about how chocolate is made starting with picking the pods off the tree. David lives in Thailand and has worked with the chocolate farmers.