As the weather starts turning colder, adding a kick of heat can be a delicious and satisfying twist on a classic favorite.
As the weather starts turning colder, adding a kick of heat can be a delicious and satisfying twist on a classic favorite. Pairing your favorite chocolate treats with the right chili pepper is actually a lot easier than you think. If you want to try your hand at imitating the chocolate makers and famous chefs you see on TV, you can’t go wrong with pairing chocolate and chilies.
Different Flavors of Chocolate
Did you know that there is such a thing as a flavor wheel for chocolate? Different varieties of cacao bean produce different flavors. Dark chocolates can have many unexpected notes, such as berries, herbs, citrus, or even coffee. Milk chocolate might not be the best choice to pair with chilies if you plan on doing some baking; the flavors of the chocolate can be lost among the flour and sugar. For starting out, pair the chocolates you like best with the chili peppers to find the best match.
What Chili Peppers to Use?
Once you’ve determined the flavor of your chocolate, you have to figure out which chili pepper you want to use. The simplest approach is to just grind the chili peppers into a fine powder and sprinkle it on your piece of chocolate. But if you do this, proceed with caution – if you don’t, then your tongue, fingers and nose might not forgive you any time soon! Which chili peppers will you try?
- Ai panca: This one tastes a lot like blueberries. Pair it with lighter chocolates that feature berry notes.
- Ancho: The classic chili. Pair with milder chocolate that tastes of herbs. You could also try a citrusy chocolate to resemble molé.
- Chipotle: Although it is an extremely popular choice, that doesn’t make it any less tasty. Chipotle peppers are rich, sweet, and smoky, so they go perfectly with the darkest of dark chocolate.
Other Ideas and Suggestions
The way chocolate is used also affects which pairings are ideal. For instance, you could try it in fudge or a truffle, but don’t do it in a brownie. Chili peppers don’t really like the cold, either, so you probably shouldn’t include them in a frozen dessert, such as chocolate ice cream. With hot chocolate, you find that one magical sweet spot. Cocoa powder has its own rules for how it plays with chili peppers, though, so if you want to experiment, go for flavors that contrast rather than complement each other.
Turn Up the Heat with Wockenfuss Chocolates
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you will not be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our Wide Selection of Chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest!