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	<title>Choqoa &#187; Tastings &amp; Events</title>
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	<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog</link>
	<description>Rediscover Chocolate. The true tastes and aromas of fine cacao.</description>
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		<title>Report: Choqoa Tasting with Carlos Eichenberger, Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/09/report-choqoa-tasting-with-carlos-eichenberger-danta-chocolate-guatemala/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/09/report-choqoa-tasting-with-carlos-eichenberger-danta-chocolate-guatemala/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:14:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carlos Eichenberger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chuao]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guatemala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaragua]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tasting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=1162</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our latest tasting event with Carlos Eichenberger from Danta was truly inspiring. We tasted his various home made origin bars, starting from dried beans and worked out carefully step by step. Carlos works closely together with two ‘finca’s or cacao plantations. From &#8220;Las Acacias&#8221; (Criollo) and &#8220;Los Ujuxtes&#8221; (Trinitario), we were guided along his various [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our latest tasting event with Carlos Eichenberger from <a href="http://www.dantachocolate.com/" target="_blank">Danta</a> was truly inspiring. We tasted his various <a href="http://www.dantachocolate.com/Eng/Solid_Chocolate.html" target="_blank">home made origin bars</a>, starting from dried beans and worked out carefully step by step. Carlos works closely together with two ‘finca’s or cacao plantations.</p>
<p>From &#8220;<em>Las Acacias</em>&#8221; (Criollo) and &#8220;<em>Los Ujuxtes&#8221;</em> (Trinitario), we were guided along his various percentages from 60, 70 and 75%. The different formulations were very well done, better it seemed than the bars I had some months ago, and it was a treat to discover the potential of Guatemela grown cacao. The cacao flavors from this country are unique, the only bar that came to my mind as reference was Duffy’s “Indio Rojo”. Not unknown to Carlos, who kept going in detail on <a href="http://www.choco-story.be/ENG/ileng/countries/guatemala.htm" target="_blank">many</a> <a href="http://www.macintyre.co.uk/a2.html" target="_blank">aspects</a> of <a href="http://www.chocolatealchemy.com/roasting.php" target="_blank">cacao</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXCkkuvHz-k" target="_blank">sharing</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala_City" target="_blank">his</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuao" target="_blank">passion</a> and knowledge with us.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/danta-copy.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1168" title="Danta chocolate guatemala tasting carlos eichenberger choqoa" src="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/danta-copy.jpg" alt="Danta chocolate guatemala tasting carlos eichenberger choqoa" width="620" height="226" /></a></p>
<p>On top of the range, Danta now also offers their Chuao bar, one that certainly deserves your attention. The roast is in between Amano (<em>too light?</em>) and Pralus (<em>too much?</em>). Carlos’ mild version puts this bar one a good spot amidst the growing Chuao releases. A creamy melt with various very gentle tones makes it a very pleasant experience.<br />
We then also compared the Chuao’s from Pralus and Domori, which unfortunately weren’t in best shape, and didn’t match Danta’s freshness. Carlos also brought Chuao beans to taste, which were delicious! Finally I treated all on a single estate bar from hacienda San José, Venezuela, made with the Canoabo Criollo variety. Great way to end this evening. <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Thanks to Carlos for being a wonderful guest and taking all who attended down the cacao trail. Next tasting event is soon, some themes in consideration, so keep an eye on <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/org/339701380?s=4959533" target="_blank">our events</a> and I hope to seduce you to<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Choqoa" target="_blank"> join Choqoa</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Choqoa Launches a New Tasting Season, with Themes, Guests and Stories.</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/08/choqoa-launches-a-new-tasting-season-with-themes-guests-and-stories/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/08/choqoa-launches-a-new-tasting-season-with-themes-guests-and-stories/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:25:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[On Chocolate & Cacao]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=1099</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As summer holidays are crawling towards their end, it is time to awake from our chocolate wintersleep. While I’ve been a bit low on my efforts putting chocolate in a new perspective, in the meantime chocolate didn’t stand still. Amano released some new bars, Rogue has moved from Minneapolis to a new home, Pralus could [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/09/report-choqoa-tasting-with-carlos-eichenberger-danta-chocolate-guatemala/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting with Carlos Eichenberger, Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.'>Report: Choqoa Tasting with Carlos Eichenberger, Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/10/choqoa-opens-its-new-chocolate-season-with-taste/' rel='bookmark' title='Choqoa opens its new chocolate season with taste!'>Choqoa opens its new chocolate season with taste!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As summer holidays are crawling towards their end, it is time to awake from our chocolate wintersleep. While I’ve been a bit low on my efforts putting chocolate in a new perspective, in the meantime chocolate didn’t stand still.<br />
Amano released some new bars, Rogue has moved from Minneapolis to a new home, Pralus could have his Vanuatu bar in stock again, Stéphane Bonnat went to the Americas in search for great beans and plantations,… And also my friends from <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/costa-rica/">the Costa Rica trip</a>, like Cameron and Charley are actively crafting their <a href="http://www.dandelionchocolate.com/" target="_blank">Dandelion</a> and <a href="http://woodblockchocolate.com/" target="_blank">Woodblock</a> chocolate bars. And I got a special delivery straight from a wonderful cacao hacienda in Venezuela soon. It’s gonna be a great bunch of discoveries again!</p>
<h3>Meet Carlos Eichenberger from Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/danta_carlos.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1104" title="Carlos Eichenberger, Danta, Guatemala" src="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/danta_carlos.jpg" alt="" width="273" height="260" /></a>The new Choqoa Tastings will carry adventurous themes, and our first session features a special guest, all the way from Guatemala!<br />
Carlos Eichenberger from <a href="http://www.dantachocolate.com/Danta_Chocolate.html" target="_blank">Danta Chocolate</a> is producing his own chocolate in the country of origin, Guatemala. He buys already fermented cacao and then starts with roasting and goes all the way to wrapping each bar.<br />
Sourcing beans from specific &#8220;fincas&#8221; (or cacao estates) he currently offers crafted bars from &#8216;Los Ujuxtes&#8217; and &#8216;Las Acacias&#8217;. On top of that he&#8217;s also trying to work some legendary Venezuelan beans, let&#8217;s hope we will be able to taste all of them&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>While Carlos is in Europe, he will join Choqoa to share his stories with you at our tasting event soon, on September 7th, in Antwerp.</strong></p>
<h3>Register now</h3>
<p>You can register directly here below for this unique occasion, or on <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2040303603" target="_blank">this event&#8217;s page</a> for this tasting session. RSVP required! And don&#8217;t hesitate to share this with your friends.</p>
<p>For our other future tasting events, more info and details will be updated and shared with you through <a title="Choqoa Tasting Events" href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/choqoa-tasting-events/">our tasting events overview</a>.<br />
Let’s rediscover chocolate!</p>
<div style="width: 100%; text-align: left;"><iframe src="http://www.eventbrite.com/tickets-external?eid=2040303603&amp;ref=etckt" frameborder="0" marginwidth="5" marginheight="5" scrolling="auto" width="100%" height="306"></iframe></p>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 10px; padding: 5px 0 5px; margin: 2px; width: 100%; text-align: left;"><a style="color: #ddd; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.eventbrite.com/r/etckt" target="_blank">Online Ticketing</a><span style="color: #ddd;"> for </span><a style="color: #ddd; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2040303603?ref=etckt" target="_blank">Choqoa Tasting &#8211; feat.Carlos from Danta Chocolate, Guatemala</a><span style="color: #ddd;"> powered by </span><a style="color: #ddd; text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.eventbrite.com?ref=etckt" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a></div>
</div>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2011/09/report-choqoa-tasting-with-carlos-eichenberger-danta-chocolate-guatemala/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting with Carlos Eichenberger, Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.'>Report: Choqoa Tasting with Carlos Eichenberger, Danta Chocolate, Guatemala.</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/10/choqoa-opens-its-new-chocolate-season-with-taste/' rel='bookmark' title='Choqoa opens its new chocolate season with taste!'>Choqoa opens its new chocolate season with taste!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Choqoa opens its new chocolate season with taste!</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/10/choqoa-opens-its-new-chocolate-season-with-taste/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/10/choqoa-opens-its-new-chocolate-season-with-taste/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bacon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CacaoLab]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Côte d'Or]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Ceibo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ghent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Patric]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rogue Chocolatier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tasting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Twitter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[university]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vosges]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=944</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thursday last week, it was ‘officially’ the moment to reopen the chocolate rediscovery season with Choqoa’s Tasting Events. From the very first time I organized such a chocolate tasting with a group of people, I realized it is a great setting for curious minds to join their senses, and enjoy sharing their experiences and sensations. [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/07/pairing-chocolate-whisky-at-the-choqoa-wib-masterclass/' rel='bookmark' title='Pairing Chocolate &amp; Whisky at the Choqoa &amp; WIB Masterclass'>Pairing Chocolate &#038; Whisky at the Choqoa &#038; WIB Masterclass</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thursday last week, it was ‘officially’ the moment to reopen the chocolate rediscovery season with <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/category/tastings-events/">Choqoa’s Tasting Events</a>. From the very first time I organized such a chocolate tasting with a group of people, I realized it is a great setting for curious minds to join their senses, and enjoy sharing their experiences and sensations.</p>
<p>From all the past tastings, I gathered the constructive feedback and spontaneous suggestions that were given by enthusiasts <em>aficionado&#8217;s</em>. So I reworked the tasting concept a little bit to give it another vibe. Next to that, a lot of people subscribed, we were actually heading for a full house, first time! And amongst them, we had both a lot of totally new people joining Choqoa and some first-hour superfans who returned again for another Choqoa discovery. That felt absolutely awesome, thanks to all of you!<br />
There were also some students from <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/09/the-choqoa-marketing-case-with-c-md/">the C-MD project</a>, twitter folks who got to Choqoa via my &#8220;<a href="http://twitter.com/Choqoa/status/25143838916" target="_blank">1000th Tweet</a>&#8221; contest, and even a young researcher from <a href="http://cacaolab.be/" target="_blank">the CacaoLab</a> at the Ghent University, how cool is that? So although it wasn’t the first time, I was a bit nervous though, really.</p>
<p><a title="Choqoa by pvw04, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pvw/5041543945/"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/5041543945_4b0da94507.jpg" alt="Choqoa" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />
<em>(foto by Choqoa fan <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pvw/5041543945/in/gallery-evert-jan-72157625093182220/" target="_blank">Peter Pvw04 &#8211; Nettooor</a>)</em></p>
<p>Lucky all those who were there, since my recent trip to the USA (a post on that soon) made me return with a lot of exclusive offerings from great chocolate makers like <a href="http://www.amanochocolate.com/" target="_blank">Amano</a>, <a href="http://www.tazachocolate.com" target="_blank">Taza</a>, <a href="http://www.patric-chocolate.com" target="_blank">Patric</a>, the <a href="http://www.mastbrotherschocolate.com" target="_blank">Mast Brothers</a> (who I met in person) and <a href="http://www.roguechocolatier.com/" target="_blank">Rogue Chocolatier</a>, my current &#8220;<em>editor’s choice</em>&#8220;. I put a lot of those fantastic american bars in the line-up, sure enough it made the whole evening a fun time to rediscover chocolate.<br />
For extra fun I even opened the world’s infamous “<a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars" target="_blank">Mo’s Bacon Bar</a>” from <a href="http://www.vosgeschocolate.com" target="_blank">Vosges chocolate</a>. And yes: for those who dared, there was eventually on popular demand a piece of Cote d’Or “Noir de Noir” available. For those who were a bit skeptical on the differences… it convinced all that we are on a new level with Choqoa, <em>oyé</em>!</p>
<p>And that’s precisely what we all enjoyed: a great evening rediscovering chocolate, the wonderful world of premium cacao, a bit of its production, a touch of history and a twist of culture. And off course, all these wonderful aromas and flavors that you would never have believed to find in pure cacao. It was great to find all <a href="http://twitter.com/Pvw2180/statuses/26010139955" target="_blank">your positive reactions</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/ActiveLife/statuses/26055792666" target="_blank">so swiftly</a> on Twitter and Facebook, <a href="http://twitter.com/vuur/statuses/26016297084" target="_blank">keep sharing the passion</a> for Choqoa and help everybody to rediscover chocolate!</p>
<p>Every last Thursday of the month, that’s the day that I mostly try to schedule my tasting events on. So keep an eye on the events on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Choqoa" target="_blank">the Choqoa Facebook FanPage</a> or our event <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/org/339701380" target="_blank">listing on EventBrite</a>.</p>
<p>Here is the list of bars we had this time: (after the break)</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Bonnat &#8220;Trinité&#8221; 75%</strong><br />
deep chocolatey bar, the brand that started it for me</li>
<li><strong>Pacari &#8220;Esmeraldas&#8221; 60%<br />
</strong>surprises you with its fresh, floral tones but also the dextrose feeling</li>
<li><strong>Patric &#8220;Madagascar &#8211; Sambirano&#8221; 67%<br />
</strong>chewy and citric, great development</li>
<li><strong>El Ceibo 71%<br />
</strong>the bar from Chloé, not too bad at all, a very nice discovery with a typical Bolivian touch</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Djakarta&#8221;<br />
</strong>very unexpected, and therefore very good</li>
<li><strong>Taza Stone Ground 70%<br />
</strong>almost everybody was in awe, and appreciated the unique taste beyond the typical ground grittiness</li>
<li><strong>Cote d’Or Noir de Noir (54% &#8211; what&#8217;s in a name)<br />
</strong>yeah yeah, finally I am sure and (re)assured that eveybody tastes the difference!</li>
<li><strong>Mast Brothers &#8220;Ocumare de la Costa&#8221;<br />
</strong>waw this is top-notch liquorice experience</li>
<li><strong>Rogue Chocolatier &#8220;Piura&#8221;<br />
</strong>I love Colin&#8217;s bars and this very very exclusive Piura proves his passion and craftsmanship again. Wonderful.</li>
<li><strong>Amano &#8220;Dos Rios&#8221;<br />
</strong>the Dos Rios is far beyond chocolate, the aromas you experience with this cacao change everything you think about chocolate</li>
<li><strong>Vosges &#8220;Mo&#8217;s Bacon Bar&#8221;<br />
</strong>hilarious, food innovation awarded, just for fun!</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Le 100%&#8221;<br />
</strong>the ultimate cacao experience; it was, is and will always be the last bar I will serve at my tasting events</li>
</ol>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/07/pairing-chocolate-whisky-at-the-choqoa-wib-masterclass/' rel='bookmark' title='Pairing Chocolate &amp; Whisky at the Choqoa &amp; WIB Masterclass'>Pairing Chocolate &#038; Whisky at the Choqoa &#038; WIB Masterclass</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Pairing Chocolate &amp; Whisky at the Choqoa &amp; WIB Masterclass</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/07/pairing-chocolate-whisky-at-the-choqoa-wib-masterclass/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/07/pairing-chocolate-whisky-at-the-choqoa-wib-masterclass/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:17:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Trinidad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whisky]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=911</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Since Choqoa and WIB found each other, we recently had a third Whisky &#38; Chocolate Masterclass, which was initiated ‘due to popular demand’. At regular Choqoa tasting events people are often inspired trying out the rich tasting chocolate they just discovered with other premium foods and drinks, and if I mention the whisky option, well [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/' rel='bookmark' title='Choqoa’s First Whisky and Chocolate Pairing'>Choqoa’s First Whisky and Chocolate Pairing</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Since <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/">Choqoa</a> and <a href="http://www.whiskyimportbelux.be/" target="_blank">WIB</a> found each other, we recently had a third <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/726282330" target="_blank">Whisky &amp; Chocolate Masterclass</a>, which was initiated ‘due to popular demand’. At regular Choqoa tasting events people are often inspired trying out the rich tasting chocolate they just discovered with other premium foods and drinks, and if I mention the whisky option, well it boosts the interest let’s say!<br />
After <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/heymans/sets/72157623236535067/with/4333112613/" target="_blank">the first Masterclass</a> at <a href="http://www.thehouseofmarketing.be/" target="_blank">The House of Marketing</a>, we also had a private one for a global company Agile as the cherry on the cake for an intimate VIP event with their top clients and preferred partners. Our latest one welcomed both new people and those who even already attended a Choqoa tasting.</p>
<p><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium" title="Choqoa &amp; WIB: Chocolate &amp; Whisky Masterclass" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evert-jan/4771444066/"><img class="alignnone" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4771444066_154d58b940.jpg" alt="Choqoa &amp; WIB: Chocolate &amp; Whisky Masterclass" width="500" height="335" /></a></p>
<p>With <a href="http://www.whiskyimportbelux.be/" target="_blank">Whisky Import Benelux</a> we have an excellent offering that specifically works with pairings of <a href="http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=1000000000238" target="_blank">the Carn Mór Vintage Collection</a>. More than just putting some whisky and chocolate together, we have been specializing and having fun in taking the idea of whisky and chocolate a step further with carefully selected <em>one-on-one pairings.</em> Bart from WIB is a truly passionate whisky ambassador and has an excellent nose for matching aromas. We have been working on a list of wonderful whiskies that create an exciting combination with special selected origin chocolates.</p>
<p>On the list are chocolate from <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/pralus/">François Pralus</a>, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/bonnat/">Bonnat</a>, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/michel-cluizel/">Michel Cluizel</a> and even a superb <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/pacari/">Pacari</a> pairing. So far my two favorite combinations are the fruity Pralus <em>Papouasie</em> with a single cask <em>Balmenach 2001</em> and the iconic and incredibly sour<em> “Le 100%”</em> with a very wholesome <em>Caol Ila 1983</em>. It’s just wonderful to feel how both build upon each other in new dimensions.<br />
The whiskies have enough power to give balance to these upfront tasting origin chocolates, and blending something edible with something aromatic fluid must be a key to give a delightful experience on the palate.</p>
<p>Though taste is always personal, it’s encouraging to surprise people to change their mind with this level of both chocolate and whisky. So you could never believe dark chocolate can taste like this? I didn’t know whisky can be so fine either <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> . We learned from our first tasting, and now people really where enthusiast about the idea, the combinations and the way we present them. After all, great taste is something to share anytime!</p>
<p>If you &#8216;re inspired, we’ll continue our tastings after the summer break, so stay in touch with our blog, websites, and both our Facebook Fanpages (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Choqoa" target="_blank">Choqoa</a> &#8211; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whisky-Import-BELUX/122925867723240?ref=ts" target="_blank">WIB</a>)!</p>
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<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/' rel='bookmark' title='Choqoa’s First Whisky and Chocolate Pairing'>Choqoa’s First Whisky and Chocolate Pairing</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Choqoa introduces the finest origins to Barry-Callebaut</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/04/choqoa-introduces-the-finest-origins-to-barry-callebaut/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/04/choqoa-introduces-the-finest-origins-to-barry-callebaut/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:48:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Akkesson's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barry Callebaut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criollo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domori]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecuador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madagascar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michel Cluizel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Porcelana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCHO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=901</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Who would have ever thought of this scenario? I could have dreamed about it,… but it actually happened! This week I gave a Choqoa Tasting workshop for the European team at Barry Callebaut HQ in Wieze, and introduced them to ‘my world’ of premium origin chocolates. Both my curiosity to their reactions and above all [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who would have ever thought of this scenario? I could have dreamed about it,… but it actually happened! This week I gave a Choqoa Tasting workshop for the European team at <a href="http://www.barry-callebaut.com/" target="_blank">Barry Callebaut HQ</a> in Wieze, and introduced them to ‘my world’ of premium origin chocolates.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.barry-callebaut.com/"><img class="size-full wp-image-904 alignnone" title="IMG_0499[1]" src="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/IMG_04991-e1270641806879.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a></p>
<p>Both my curiosity to their reactions and above all what I could learn from them myself, overruled any reason of being nervous. In the end this was not about pleasing them with good chocolates, it was about sitting together and explore the amazing varieties great cacao has to offer us.</p>
<p>We started our session with a <a href="http://choqoa.com/blog/tag/pacari">Pacari</a>, and I also brought <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/francois-pralus/">Francois Pralus</a>, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/bonnat">Bonnat</a>, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/michel-cluizel/">Michel Cluizel</a>, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/domori">Domori</a>, and <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/akesson/">Akesson’s</a>. Especially for this Callebaut team I equally shared a nutty TCHO bar from the US and opened an extraordinary fine Criollo ‘Porcelana’ bar from Domori.<br />
With every bar I gave some inspiring background on the brand, the region and bean type, shared a personal memory from my youth or revealed a very particular process that creates signature tastes for a passionate chocolate maker.<br />
We talked about the idea and relevance of percentages, complex genetics of cacao, the ‘myth’ of Belgian chocolate, and consumer preferences across countries as well.</p>
<p>It was just great to discover together with such a team how different cacao flavors can develop, even within a single small geographical area. There were several Venezuela’s on the table and most of the participants were astonished how very different these cacao bars did taste! Whether it was wonderfully fruity or way too sour, very balanced aromas or flavors jumping around, all together we rediscovered the incredible variety fine origin cacao brings to our palate.</p>
<p><strong>The personal Top 3 from the participating Vice President?</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Michel Cluizel &#8220;Vila Gracinda&#8221;</li>
<li> Bonnat &#8220;Hacienda El Rosario&#8221;</li>
<li> Domori Criollo &#8220;Porcelana&#8221;</li>
</ol>
<p>Let’s hope this saga continues, for there is so much more we can learn from each other, when a passionate guy meets and innovative leading company. A big thanks to Barry Callebaut for inviting me to share my obsession!<br />
Once more it confirmed that chocolate is one of the most inspiring, intriguing and passionate products in the world <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Continue reading for details on the tasted bars…</p>
<p><span id="more-901"></span></p>
<h3>List of tasted bars</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Pacari &#8220;Esmeraldas</strong>&#8221;<br />
A new fresh brand from Ecuador using Arriba Nacional beans , delivering a floral and stringent aroma, coffee, long aftertaste, with a lot of jumping sensations</li>
<li><strong>TCHO &#8220;Nutty&#8221;</strong><br />
a US brand that actually pretty much disappointed with this nutty version of their chocolate, which was very dry and overdone.</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel &#8220;Vila Gracinda</strong>&#8221;<br />
Michel Cluizel delivered upon his promise of wonderful fruity aroma’s from the island of Sao Tomé</li>
<li><strong>Domori &#8220;Sur del Lago&#8221;</strong><br />
Introducing the particular signature taste sensation of Domori, that pleased to many</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Madagascar</strong>&#8221;<br />
A stunning and powerfull citric experience, very fresh and bold with a sublime character</li>
<li><strong>Bonnat &#8220;Hacienda El Rosario&#8221;</strong><br />
Impressive texture and flavor development reminding us of the famous Chokotoff candy <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </li>
<li><strong>Akesson’s &#8220;Brazil  &#8211; Fazenda Monte Alegre</strong>&#8221;<br />
A very interesting bar that offers an particular evolution from soft chocolate to a spicy ending, a pretty novel experience</li>
<li><strong>Domori &#8220;Criollo Porcelana&#8221;</strong><br />
Definitely the most pleasant sensation we shared, through wonderfully fine, balanced and pure chocolate aromas</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Le 100%</strong>&#8221;<br />
I didn’t lie when I replied <em>&#8216;No it is not a 99% percent&#8217;</em>, haha,  but this red colored piece of Madagascar Criollo chocolate is a 100% must-do to experience pure cacao <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </li>
</ol>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:24:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arriba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bali]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brazil]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ceylan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criollo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dominican Republic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domori]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecuador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Esmeraldas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jembrana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Ancones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madagascar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michel Cluizel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sao Tomé]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sur del Lago]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[USA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Valrhona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vila Gracinda]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=879</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Wrapping up our second tasting this year, again it’s an evening to which I can look back loaded with sensations and discoveries that are changing people’s mind on dark origin chocolate. In our beautiful loft-lounge style setting I introduced the cacao harvest &#38; production process, to show people how careful this pretty sexy tree needs [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wrapping up our second tasting this year, again it’s an evening to which I can look back loaded with sensations and discoveries that are changing people’s mind on dark origin chocolate. In our beautiful loft-lounge style setting I introduced <a href="http://www.allchocolate.com/understanding/where_chocolate_comes_from/" target="_blank">the cacao harvest &amp; production process</a>, to show people how careful this pretty sexy tree needs to be treated to give us such fine chocolate.  <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/category/tastings-events/">Every tasting session</a> is somewhat different and the Q&amp;A was focused around Belgium not being &#8216;The Promised Land&#8217; of chocolate (anymore), the scary variety of substances in chocolate bars, en tips to keep and store chocolate.</p>
<p><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium" title="Choqoa Chocolate Tasting Events" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evert-jan/4403819172/"><img class="alignnone" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4403819172_2133f310f7.jpg" alt="Choqoa Chocolate Tasting Events" width="500" height="335" /></a><br />
Chocolate and its plethora of surrounding topics always make a great conversation starter, so pretty soon we had a good vibe, getting us open to enter the tasting part. After 4 bars only, people were amazed already by my broad offering and the variety in tasting sensations, even ‘less appreciated aroma&#8217;s’ were adding to overall discovery experience. <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /><br />
Noteworthy where also organic <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/pacari/">Pacari</a>, the recent <a href="http://www.akessons-organic.com/" target="_blank">Akesson’s</a> and absolutely the <a href="http://www.amanochocolate.com/retail/bars/jembrana/" target="_blank">handcrafted Amano Jembrana</a>, which I exclusively got from the USA directly from founder <a href="http://www.amanochocolate.com/">Art Pollard</a>, with a big help from Martin at <a href="http://www.seventypercent.com/" target="_blank">SeventyPercent</a> as well in London.<br />
These treasures aside I also showed a bloomed bar of <a href="http://www.williescacao.com" target="_blank">Willie’s</a> (don’t know how that happened actually), and wowed them with the <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/michel-cluizel/">Michel Cluizel</a> &#8216;Grand Lait 45% milk bar&#8217; (<em>‘Is this milk chocolate?!</em>’), shared unroasted and roasted cacao beans I received from <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/pralus/">Pralus</a>, and put the cherry on the cake with the Pralus 100% as the usual <em>über chocolate experience</em>!</p>
<p>You can tell it was fun if people say they would come back for another tasting session, hope to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=340374839642" target="_blank">see you next time as well</a>!</p>
<p>Continue reading for details on the tasted bars&#8230;</p>
<p><span id="more-879"></span></p>
<h3>List of tasted bars</h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Madagascar”</strong><br />
a fresh, bold and citric opener on which most agreed it had a short aftertaste</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel “Los Ancones”</strong><br />
so creamy, complex and rich in taste</li>
<li><strong>Valrhona “Guanaja”</strong><br />
the nutty one, and more gritty than the Los Ancones bar</li>
<li><strong>Bonnat “Ceylan”</strong><br />
This is a very spicy and leatherish bar, dark tones and though not varying in flavour, it keeps its strong character in an unusual sustaining &amp; lasting curve</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Dominique Républiquaine”</strong><br />
very different reactions on this fresh feeling bar, but raisins was at the center</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel “Vila Gracinda”</strong><br />
I think still the most special sensing and tasting bar from Cluizel, very surprising opening that leads to tropical fruit sensations</li>
<li><strong>Domori “Sur del Lago”</strong><br />
I think Domori’s style is iconic like an Italian fashion brand, you may argue on taste, but it’s all in all a very special signature carried over all his bars</li>
<li><strong>Pacari “Esmeraldas”</strong><br />
Something new and organic from Ecuador, and the Arriba&#8217;s freshness was for many participants a never experienced sensation in chocolate, leaving them hungry for more.</li>
<li><strong>Amano “Jembrana”</strong><br />
Something very special from the USA, this bar reigned in lengthy subtleties topped with pepperish sensations. Although I had only received 2 bars, one participant was so crazy on I couldn’t refuse to give the second one  to him <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </li>
<li><strong>Akesson&#8217;s “Brazil”</strong><br />
More novelties with Akesson’s Brazil creation, feeling pretty melty on the palate, and evolving surprisingly spicy over time. Also here people really liked it a lot.</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Le 100%”</strong><br />
My favrourite tasting bar to see how people would react, and this time thye reported both sour &amp; salty sensations, however despite its 100% label, bitter was not a word used, again.</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel “Le 45% Grand Lait”</strong><br />
To clean the 100% from the palate I offered Cluizel’s award winning milk bar, and not to my surprise people were stupefied on how a milk chocolate could taste that good, mentioning a lot of caramel flavours. Bingo again!</li>
</ol>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:53:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Baru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chuao]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Criollo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cuba]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dominican Republic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domori]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecuador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Ancones]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Rios]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madagascar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mangaro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michel Cluizel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peru]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Puerto Cabello]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Santo Domingo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TCHO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trinitario]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zotter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=874</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first Choqoa Tasting Event this year was again very different from the previous editions, and not only for the reason that people came from across the country to attend our Antwerp session! Among the attending chocolate explorers we had Gunther, one of the founders of a chocolate brand (Baru, Diepenbeek), eager to learn about [...]


Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The first Choqoa Tasting Event this year was again very different from <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/category/tastings-events/">the previous editions</a>, and not only for the reason that people came from across the country to attend our Antwerp session!</p>
<p><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium" title="Choqoa Chocolate Tastings" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evert-jan/4345871882/"><img class="alignnone" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4345871882_4c565d7ab0.jpg" alt="Choqoa Chocolate Tastings" width="500" height="335" /></a></p>
<p>Among the attending chocolate explorers we had Gunther, one of the founders of a chocolate brand (<a href="http://www.baru.be/" target="_blank">Baru</a>, Diepenbeek), eager to learn about making his own chocolate in some future; Geert, a dedicated chocolatier &amp; patissier who passionately cares about his base Valrhona couverture (<a href="http://www.patisserievercruysse.be/" target="_blank">Patisserie Vercruysse</a>, Kortijk); and Mo, who runs <a href="http://www.truvo.com/places/mo-made-antwerpen " target="_blank">an inspiring lunch bar</a> and is a former winner of the Best Sandwich competition!</p>
<p>I found it pretty intriguing given their background they often did heard of several of the top chocolate brands we tasted, but hadn’t take the effort or had the chance to taste every variety that they could get their hands on? On the other side also some US brands like <a href="http://www.tazachocolate.com/" target="_blank">Taza</a> and <a href="http://www.tcho.com/" target="_blank">TCHO</a> were not unknown and I was happy to have<a href="http://tcho.com/chocolate/fruity" target="_blank"> a TCHO &#8216;Fruity&#8217; bar</a> on the tasting table (thanks to @<a href="http://twitter.com/ActiveLife" target="_blank">ActiveLife</a>). And with brands like <a href="http://www.zotter.at/" target="_blank">Zotter</a> and <a href="http://www.pacarichocolate.com/" target="_blank">Pacari</a>, I had something new to offer even for these professionals <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>It was utmost pleasant and charming to see how participants discovered variations in freshness, color, melting patterns and lingering aftertastes by themselves. Even to the detail where they felt one bar more coming up in front or gathering in the back of their tongues and palates. All added their views and knowledge on chocolate and food so we got some lenghty talks along the tasting session as well.</p>
<p>Eventually, again this gourmet chocolate tasting event was full of fun, sharing tasting impressions and notes, discovering the immersive world of real fine chocolate, and brainstorming on future possibilities!</p>
<p>Continue reading for details on the tasted bars&#8230;</p>
<p><span id="more-874"></span><strong><strong>List of tasted bars:</strong></strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel &#8220;Plantation Mangaro</strong>&#8221;<br />
as always a fresh citric opener</li>
<li><strong>Valrhona &#8220;Guanaja&#8221; 70% </strong><br />
the bar that basically initiated the whole origin movement two decades ago, named after the place where Columbus first encountered cacao beans</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;République Dominicaine&#8221;</strong><br />
a great bar giving a whole different tasting sensation than the nutty <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/valrhona/">Valrhona</a> and citric Mangaro. A fresh ‘cooling’ experience on the palate</li>
<li><strong>Domori &#8220;Apurimac&#8221;<br />
</strong><a href="http://www.domori.com" target="_blank">Domori</a> is like a brand you like or dislike, there is hardly a neutral zone! The oh so typical creamy conched aromas that aggressively escape from the bar are only tamed in their flavors by <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/domori">Domori</a>.</li>
<li><strong>TCHO &#8216;Fruity&#8217;<br />
</strong>Enter USA, a whole new chocolate experience, with a full bodied tasting curve that is like none of the above</li>
<li><strong>Bonnat “Puerto Cabello”</strong><br />
To my surprise <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/bonnat/">Bonnat</a> didn’t make the top appreciated this time! Maybe it was put in the wrong place and time, but most were less impressed by this Bonnat bar, although it’s one of his icon bars</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Cuba&#8221;<br />
</strong>A bar full of subtle flavours and the typical bolder character that comes with every Pralus</li>
<li><strong>Zotter &#8220;Labooka Peru 80%&#8221;<br />
</strong>I did not reveal the percentage beforehand, and even if the taste may not be about bitterness (rather smoke tobacco) , all of us guessed by the deep intensity of the overall flavour that this is a high percentage bar.</li>
<li><strong>Pacari &#8220;Los Rios&#8221; 72%<br />
</strong>Now here a very different chocolate sensation from Ecuador that really stood the 80% we had before. <a href="http://www.pacarichocolate.com/" target="_blank">Pacari</a>&#8216;s organic process delivers really interesting freshness that surpasses the classic chocolate flavours</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel  “Los Ancones”<br />
</strong>From subtle flavours to more expressive complex aromas with this one. An expressive bar that show how complex a bar can be in containing a variety of aroma’s. Our professional jury evaluated and detected super tiny nibs that would help achieving this result. Something to research&#8230;</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Chuao”<br />
</strong>No need to tell a lot about the mythical Chuao to this crowd, but they were all eagerly exploring the enormous complexity of flavours every bite of this bean releases</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus &#8220;Le 100%&#8221;<br />
</strong>My favourite chocolate <em>experience </em>still, not for its taste only, but Pralus&#8217; mastering the Criollo bean in its purity delivering an experience and sensation that goes beyond chocolate.</li>
</ul>


<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Choqoa joins &#8220;The Flemish Primitives&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/01/choqoa-joins-the-flemish-primitives/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/01/choqoa-joins-the-flemish-primitives/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:45:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Albert Adrià]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ben Roche]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bruges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chocolate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chocolatier]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[El Bulli]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[foodpairing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heston Blumenthal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moto]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[restaurant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Serge Vieira]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Fat Duck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Flemish Primitives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=821</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Last year in January, I went to one of my first food related events other than only chocolate. &#8220;The Flemish Primitives&#8221; in Bruges, Belgium, was an ambitious setting, crafted around the theme of foodpairing, staging the world’s best cooks. On stage we were thrown into serial ecstasies by chefs like Serge Vieira (France), Ben Roche [...]


No related posts.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="size-full wp-image-822 alignnone" title="Flemish Primitives Event Bruges" src="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/flemish-primitives.jpg" alt="Flemish Primitives Event Bruges" width="500" height="183" /></p>
<p>Last year in January, I went to one of my first food related events other than only chocolate. &#8220;<a href="http://www.theflemishprimitives.com/" target="_blank">The Flemish Primitives</a>&#8221; in Bruges, Belgium, was an ambitious setting, crafted around the theme of <a href="http://www.foodpairing.be/" target="_blank">foodpairing</a>, staging the world’s best cooks. On stage we were thrown into serial ecstasies by chefs like <a href="http://www.sergevieira.com/ " target="_blank">Serge Vieira</a> (France), <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykWNHXfcL20" target="_blank">Ben Roche</a> (<a href="http://www.motorestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Moto</a>, Chicago), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heston_Blumenthal" target="_blank">Heston Blumenthal</a> (<a href="http://www.fatduck.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Fat Duck</a>) and many other leading chefs and scientists.<br />
Being an obsessive amateur of fine origin cacao bars only, it was with hindsight the first time I gained a level of respect for a chocolatier when I lived the experience driven sensations <a href="http://www.dominiquepersoone.be/" target="_blank">Dominique Persoone</a> set on stage. And after a not less than mind blowing, though inspiring day, I’ll never forget the last presentation of an overwhelming series: Albert Adrià from <a href="http://www.elbulli.com/" target="_blank">El Bulli</a> gave us pure visual poetry through food.</p>
<p>I have the unique opportunity to go back this year, to see an even more impressive list of the greatest chefs on earth. And I’m sure the experience will be of an inspiring added value to all of the Choqoa projects in 2010 as well!</p>
<p><object width="500" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXVNUpswiIg&#038;hl=en_GB&#038;fs=1&#038;"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXVNUpswiIg&#038;hl=en_GB&#038;fs=1&#038;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object></p>


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		<title>Report: The 2nd Choqoa Tasting Event</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/12/report-the-2nd-choqoa-tasting-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[On Chocolate & Cacao]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Austria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bouga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Callebaut]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dominican Republic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Domori]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ecuador]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guanaja]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Indonesia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madagascar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michel Cluizel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nicaragua]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacari]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pralus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tasting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Valrhona]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zotter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.choqoa.com/blog/?p=765</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The second ‘official’ Choqoa Tasting event yesterday in Antwerp was a great fun chocolate celebration. We were with a group of 16 enthusiast people; friends bringing their own friends, and even an older couple who got the Tasting Event as a birthday gift from their daughter: what a great surprise! And also my chocolate buddy [...]


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<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The second ‘official’ Choqoa Tasting event yesterday in Antwerp was a great fun chocolate celebration. We were with a group of 16 enthusiast people; friends bringing their own friends, and even an older couple who got the Tasting Event as a birthday gift from their daughter: what a great surprise! And also my chocolate buddy Sofie &#8216;Chocolaterie&#8217; from Barry <a href="http://www.callebaut.com/" target="_blank">Callebaut</a>, happily joined this event.</p>
<p><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium" title="DSC_5070" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evert-jan/4176443492/"><img class="alignnone" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4176443492_c54be9751e.jpg" alt="DSC_5070" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>Learnings from previous sessions made me make a selection with bigger care and offer a broader variety of cacao experiences. I also therefore bought some Domori and found myself a bunch of bars I hadn’t taste myself yet: <a href="http://www.zotterchocolate.co.uk/" target="_blank">Zotter</a>, <a href="http://www.pacarichocolate.com/" target="_blank">Pacari</a>, and <a href="http://www.bouga-cacao.com" target="_blank">Bouga</a>.<br />
I started with a small introduction into cacao trees and pods, the bean-to-bar process, and to all delight Sofie from Callebaut passionately helped explain into detail the various steps, with good interaction from the crowd.</p>
<p>Off to the tasting! I projected the <a href="http://www.amanochocolate.com/blog/2009/08/10/tasting-wheels/" target="_blank">Amano tasting wheel</a> in the screen to give guidance to the tasting, and people really enjoyed discovering such a chocolate sensations. This time I had a good variety that really added value to the tasting experience and was more than appreciated. It was pleasurable to see people taking chocolate to the next level! Everybody shared his impressions so the atmosphere was pretty comfortable. Halfway already people giggled and said they started to feel the chocolate raising to their brain, giving them <a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/human-nature/emotions/happiness/science/chocolate-high.htm/printable" target="_blank">the cacao &#8216;high&#8217;</a> <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  Yes it’s positive magic.</p>
<p>All in all we had 10 different chocolates, list &amp; details are below, and everybody really said to have enjoyed, and even would return another time! Everybody happily took their 2 included bars home, bought some more even to continue sharing the passion.<br />
I’m already looking forward to <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/org/339701380?s=1459650" target="_blank">the next event</a>, you’re all invited to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Choqoa" target="_blank">join Choqoa</a>!</p>
<p>Read on for details of all the tasted bars!</p>
<p><span id="more-765"></span></p>
<h3><strong>List of tasted bars:</strong></h3>
<ol>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel “Mangaro”:<br />
</strong>Always a great opener, everybody loves this citric bar.</li>
<li><strong>Valrhona “Guanaja”:</strong><br />
Introducing a classic, this bar was the first to delight the lovers of bitter dark chocolate. I explained that this legendary name refers to Christopher Columbus when he landed in 1502 on the Island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanaja" target="_blank">Guanaja</a>, discovering the cacao been the first time.</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “République Dominicaine”:</strong><br />
A light tinted bar with rougher sensations switching from a fresh start to a deeper chocolate melt down.</li>
<li><strong>Domori “Sur del Lago”:</strong><br />
Domori has a very strong aroma and a swift powerful tasting curve, with coffee, caramel, butter and light fruity flavors.</li>
<li><strong>Pacari &#8220;Manabi&#8221; 65%</strong><br />
First time trying this &#8216;raw cacao&#8217; bar. The specific fermentation gives good taste and fruity aromas, a nice discovery!</li>
<li><strong>Bonnat “Hacienda El Rosario”:</strong><br />
Definitely one of Bonnat’s best bars, lengthy tasting pleasure, approved by the public.</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Indonésie”:</strong><br />
A sharp starter bar, a whirlwind of spices, marking the signature taste of a chocolate maker, like François Pralus.</li>
<li><strong>Zotter “Nicaragua 80%”:</strong><br />
Excellent discovery from Austria, this 80% Nicaragua bar contains a secret pinch of salt, and gives a very pleasant aroma evolution for such an intense cacao.</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Le 100%”:</strong><br />
From Madagascar this very red colored bar is an experience, not a chocolate. It’s always fun to see people react to this <img src='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel ‘Grand Lait 45%’:</strong><br />
Time for a break, an awarded milk bar that makes you rethink milk chocolate.</li>
<li><strong>François Pralus “Chuao”:</strong><br />
Revealing the story of the Chuao village and cacao war, people enjoyed to discover the complexity of this bean, that offers so many aromas that each bite has its own pleasure.</li>
</ol>
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<p>Related Stories:<ol><li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/03/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-2/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.2</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2010/02/report-choqoa-tasting-event-10-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1'>Report: Choqoa Tasting Event 10.1</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/' rel='bookmark' title='Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event'>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Report: The First Choqoa Tasting Event</title>
		<link>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/</link>
		<comments>http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/report-the-first-choqoa-tasting-event/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:33:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Evert-Jan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tastings & Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Akesson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amedei]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bonnat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carn Mor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chuao]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Colombia]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[event]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Francois Pralus]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Michel Cluizel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ocumare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pairing]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Sambirano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SeventyPercent]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tasting]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Venezuela]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[whisky]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[In Belgium, home of the world famous ‘Belgian Chocolates’, I’ve taken up the challenge to share and show people the path to real chocolate, fine origin artisan cacao. After a long while I decided to do so starting with the now infamous Choqoa Sampler packs, and also by organizing chocolate tasting events to have the [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In Belgium, home of the world famous ‘Belgian Chocolates’, I’ve taken up the challenge to share and show people the path to real chocolate, fine origin artisan cacao.<br />
After a long while I decided to do so starting with the now infamous Choqoa Sampler packs, and also by organizing chocolate tasting events to have the means and moments to personally inspire people with “the food of the gods”. My first event took place some days ago and here’s how people responded to chocolate:</p>
<p>We were with a nice group of about 10. After some earlier small informal tryouts I took some learnings with me and started off with a small introduction on the sexy cacao tree, pods and beans, and briefly explained the making process. We had some good questions then on the differences with industrial brands like Callebaut and I showed some pics of the Amano Chocolate factory.<br />
Mosts really appreciated this introduction, because the cacao tree is funny, sexy and full of secrets, and how often do you wonder yourself about the source of your food?</p>
<p><a class="tt-flickr tt-flickr-Medium" title="Choqoa Chocolate Tasting Event" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/evert-jan/4143569674/"><img class="alignnone" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4143569674_b3955c6e77.jpg" alt="Choqoa Chocolate Tasting Event" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>Off to the tasting then! I learned from Martin Christy, founder of <a href="http://www.SeventyPercent.com">SeventyPercent.com</a>, to make a program instead of just grabbing for some bars, so I made small plates with chunks from all the bars to hand out. I also distributed some sheets to take notes and a tasting wheel to have some reference to our taste buds. All this helpst to take the clutter of the table and focus on tasting chocolate. The <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/tag/amedei/">Amedei</a> was a great opener to ‘set the bar’and we then moved on to plenty of other bars, the full list is below this post.</p>
<p>Time after time most were pretty intrigued by the variety of aromas and sensations, though they suggested getting some more guidance in what flavors they should detect. A good point to work on! I would also have put some more variety in the selection, I still had too many options, but off course it also depends on your stock as well.</p>
<p>One of the participants, Johan, is doing a great job in sharing the message for me and he brought me a fresh <a href="http://www.amanochocolate.com/retail/bars/ocumaremilk/" target="_blank">Amano Ocumare milk</a> from San Fransisco. All of us were really surprised by this very untypical milk sensation; it’s a superb bar that gives a whole new level to milk chocolate. I’m leaving the idea of ‘percentages’ more and more and this bar proves it’s very very possible.</p>
<p>As a special for this evening I also served a double <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/">fine whisky and chocolate pairing</a>: but you can read all about this tantalizing pairing experience in <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/">my previous blog post</a>.</p>
<p>Those true discoveries were the better moments, and most likely everybody said to have had a very nice tasting experience and gladly returned home with their own chocolate bars.</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/org/339701380?s=1459650" target="_blank">the next Choqoa tastings</a> en events on <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/org/339701380?s=1459650" target="_blank">my EventBrite page</a>, see you soon!</p>
<p>Read on for details of all the tasted bars!</p>
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<h4>List &amp; some details of tasted bars:</h4>
<ol>
<li><strong>Amedei La Tavoletta 70%</strong><br />
A good opener to introduce the idea of changing flavours and melting sensations</li>
<li><strong>Michel Cluizel ‘Mangaro’</strong><br />
This is to my experience a perfect entrance bar. Everybody likes it from the start for its freshness and mild citric flavors.</li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Colombie</strong><br />
I once thought this is the perfect served espresso coffee, just in the shape of a chocolate bar.</li>
<li><strong>AMMA 75%</strong></li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Brésil</strong></li>
<li><strong>Akesson’s Brésil</strong><br />
&#8220;The Brazil 3&#8243;: I gave these bars without revealing the details upfront, and have them pay attention to the differences amongst them. Only then I revealed that they were actually all from the same plantation owner, and even from the hand of the same chocolate maker, who’s helping out the other 2 brands as well.<br />
The AMMA feels like a &#8216;nouveau Beaujolais&#8217;, jumping around flavors like a freshborn foal. The Pralus has more maturity and a balance on deeper aromas, and the Akesson first gives you the melt first but then all of a sudden flips over to spices.</li>
<li><strong>Bonnat Trinité</strong><br />
Everybody adores this grandmother style wrapper design, reminds them of their youth&#8230; Bonnat offered a sensation of smooth and creamy, with obviously an excellent melt.</li>
<li><strong>Amano Ocumare milk</strong><br />
As said above, it’s a superb bar that gives a whole new level to milk chocolate. I’m leaving the idea of ‘percentages’ more and more and this bar proves it’s very very possible. I really want more Amano!</li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Le 100%</strong><br />
Always have fun with this one, it upsets people! Along extreme facial reactions they discover this 100% tastes rather sour and hardly bitter at all. This Criollo bar also offers and intriguing reddish color.</li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Equateur </strong>(with <a href="http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=1000000000238" target="_blank">Carn Mor Vintage Collection</a> whisky, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/">pairing 1</a>)</li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Papouasie </strong>(with <a href="http://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/product.asp?pf_id=1000000000238" target="_blank">Carn Mor Vintage Collection</a> whisky, <a href="http://www.choqoa.com/blog/2009/11/choqoa%e2%80%99s-first-whisky-and-chocolate-pairing/">pairing 2</a>)</li>
<li><strong>Francois Pralus Chuao tablets</strong><br />
All in the end I treated a last piece of the new Pralus Chuao, for a last round of a very complex sensation.</li>
</ol>


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</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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