TimeOut

The advantage of living close to the biggest chocolate factory in the world ???? ... Well, from time to time somebody just hops in and drops all sorts of goodies ... . Real bitter chocolate ..( 66 to 73 % of cacao ) is actually the only candy i can still eat according to my doctor. That's what the doctor says, my stomach says different ... . The Bm

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2009-09-13 22:40:14

The only thing I'd add is a nice smooth cigar

S

... i already had a few too much and i'm not feeling that good at the moment .... :-( ..

PM your home-adress and i'll send you some ...

Filip

. . . but today, it's green tea and dried pineapple at my breakfast table . . . cordially, Art

... i had yoghurt , croissants and champagne (leftover from yesterday) ... the chocolate was my afternoon-bit ....

I really should try something more healthy in the future !

Greetz,

El Bim

My wife thought I was crazy, then she decided that would leave more for her.

You don't only drink...You also eat!



I'm a big chocolate fan, my friend...So these one are very hifh in my wish list!



Best, my friend.

Nicolas

.. and send them to Paris

Ze Bim

Bring them to me when you come!

))

Best, my friend.

Nicolas

Hello Choco-Bim!

Of the three which one taste best?

-MW

.. i'll give it another try ... tomorrow at breakfast, will let you know ... ... hips ...

i think it was PAPUA ...

Filip

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sorry

Very fancy, Filip!  I have hosted chocolate tasting parties before, and people have always enjoyed them.  You can buy "tasting kits" here in the States from all sorts of makers including well-known brands like Valrhona.  Of the tastings I've done, I remember enjoying the flavor of chocolate from Madagascar.  However, to be honest, and perhaps I don't have a refined palate, but for me, the most beautiful chocolates are the results of blending the best, most aromatic beans together, and then treating them expertly during the chocolate finishing process during which cocoa butter and other ingredients are added back to the mix, and the chocolate is tempered.  If I'm looking for a good piece of plain chocolate I want it to hit all my senses -- it should have a beautiful color, be well-tempered with no weird blooms of fat; it should sound snappy when broken; it should smell nice -- sometimes good chocolate smells very floral to me; it should feel smooth and not gritty; and it should have a silky texture and rich taste in the mouth.  I don't like a chocolate with an acidic finish, but a lot of people do like that wine-y element.

It would be so fun to go chocolate tasting with you in Belgium!

Cheers,
Daos    

... what an explanation Boonie !! For me it's very difficult to say i like this or that chocolate .. as i like most of them ... sometimes even the "ersatz" .... . My problem probably is my early "Alzheimer" which doesn't allow me to remember what i like best . I must admit i haven't bought a lot of chocolat these last 2-3 years due to my "little" health-problems, but i'm pretty sure that within a few years the joy of endlessly eatig chocolat will return .... . And it might be a right moment for you to come visit me over here and do a chocolate-tour. We have some real good chocolate-houses in Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. The chocolates i had today are so strong (70% cacao) that you really need something with it like a nice espresso or a glass of wine (i don't know if this is much done). Well, i love chocolate and these pics speak for themselves.

Greetz, Choco-Bim

Is that your daughter when she was little?  So cute!  Like father, like daughter in her love for chocolate!  Hope you are back to enjoying all sorts of chocolate soon.  The 70% cacao is very strong IMO.  I like that strength of chocolate with something like port or cabernet franc ice wine. 

A toast to you, fellow chocolate-lover!

Daos

Hi Daos, the little girl is my godchild and she's very cute indeed .... hmmmm ... i have nothing to do with that ... . She's much more intelligent then i am ... .

As for chocolate with Port .... you give me a good idea because i know i have a very good bottle of port somewhere in the house ... .

santé

Bim beano

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I find that when I eat chocolate that bitter, the first and maybe second bites are unpleasant, but when my taste buds adjust, I start to enjoy it.  By the final bite, I am wishing for more!

Best,

Jed

... your taste has to adjust ...

Filip

Hi Bimbaeno,

I didn't realize that chocolate from Venezuela is that good.  I was just there for a business trip.  I should have picked some up to try it.  Oh well, maybe next time....

Regards,
ED-209

I am familiar with Ecuador's chocolate to be considered as ideal chocolate, but I can't say I'm familiar with Venezuelan chocolate. Madagascar chocolate is also supposed to be considered among the best.

But I imagine Venezuela, Ecuador, and Madagascar probably all have some regions where the climate is somewhat similar; thus it is logical for the chocolate from these seemingly different countries to be exceptional.

Going off on a tangent here; since you didn't eat chocolate in Venezuela, what did you eat while you were in Venezuela?

the cocoa-beans come from Venezuela ... the chocolate-making happens particularly in Belgium nd Switzerland i guess ... .

Bim

One of my favorite book remains to be Roald Dahl's chocolate factory book. I had no idea that the biggest chocolate factory is in France. I was always assuming Belgium or the United States.

I have a great passion for chocolate; La Maison du Chocolat, Pierre Marcolini, Fauchon, See's (California's chocolate), Joseph Schmidtt (San Francisco based), Ritter bar, Royce (Japan), Lindtt, and many many more are all perennial favorites.

Chocolates, ice cream, and macaroons are perhaps my favorite desserts.

You are very lucky to be able to enjoy chocolate in such quantities! I wished I could be in your position.

... and me are in Belgium ...

i used to eat chocolate by the kilos but i have to be carefull now .... .

Filip

My wife and I once went to a chocolate festival in Rome...500+ vendors.  As you might guess, your post just made me smile.

is quite amazing, would love to see that ...

F

i make sure i have some chocolate every night about 9pm. usually a Twix straight out of the fridge. IMHO chocolate should come straight out of the fridge to be eaten. i cant stand body temperature chocolate unless it comes out of a jar and comes with a brush

best

Graham