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Luxurious Gourmet Truffles are a joy to buy, give and of course to consume. Understanding how to buy these Chocolates online can save you time and money. From a low end box of Herseys all the way up to the Exotic confections such as the Chocopologie that can cost over two thousand dollars a pound. But How do you decide?

Let’s start by explaining what a Chocolate Gourmet Truffle is. Usually these are made by combining melted Chocolate with a heavy whipping Cream. These ingredients are combined to form a smooth mixture called a ganache. After the mixture has cooled it is formed into small balls and then usually coated with chocolate and then dusted with Cocoa powder. Often ingredients are added to this basic ganache. These may include flavoured liqueurs and essences as well as Butterfat and coconut oil.

One of the areas of the world that produces the best Gourmet Chocolate Truffles is Belgium. Their ratio of dark Chocolate to cream is world renowned. The Taste is absolutely delicious.

So now you know what a Chocolate Truffle is how do you best search for them online? You might want to know a few brand names. There is Chocopologie that I already mentioned (Made by Knipschildy Chocolatier) as one of the most expensive truffles money can buy. Other Top name brands include Noka chocolates, Delafee, Richart and of course Godiva. For a quality Swiss Truffle at a more modest price search for the brand Lindt or Lindor.

One of my favorite ways to search for truffles is to use Google and then select IMAGES in the top left corner. Search for "Chocolate Truffles" then you can look at pictures of Truffles until you find one that most appeals to you. You may also want to search for the term "Belgium Chocolate Truffles" You will find some exquisite Truffles as a result!

Good luck and Enjoy!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paulette_Dawson

Chocolate can be one of the most delightful tasting experiences. It is best enjoyed when eaten slowly and savored to appreciate its complexity. Hosting a tasting party can best provide an environment to thoroughly enjoy the tastes, along with having a wonderful time with friends. A party can be conducted much in the same way as a wine tasting would be.

To host the perfect party, here are a few instructions:

Atmosphere: Have soft music playing. The room should be quiet and relaxed. This will allow you to completely concentrate on the different qualities and subtleties of each piece you try.

Temperature: The chocolate should be at room temperature to best enjoy the taste.

From 0 to 100%: Start with a low percentage of cocoa. You can begin with a white, followed up with a milk. Lastly, introduce the dark chocolates and work up to the dark varieties with 70 to 100% cocoa.

Clean the Palate: Before any tasting drink room temperature water or a mild tea or eat a small amount of white bread. This is very important if you have eaten very flavorful or spicy foods.

Amount: Limit the number of varieties and amounts to be tasted. Try a maximum of 7 varieties and allow approximately half an ounce of each variety per person. By limiting the number, you will keep the palate from being dulled.

The 5 Senses

When you are making assessments of each chocolate, enjoy each piece with your all of your senses:

• Sight – Examine the color, structure and sheen.
• Touch – A quality piece will have a matte, silky sheen resulting from production techniques such as conching and proper storage.
• Sound – How does it break? Does it have a "clean snap".
• Smell – Breath in the fragrances. You could likely identify aromas such as fruit, spice, honey or caramel. Enjoy the smell before tasting!
• Taste – The actual flavor in your mouth is the climax. Let the chocolate rest on your tongue. How satisfying is the taste?

Aromas and Flavors

There will very likely be a wide array of scents and flavors you will be able to detect while you assess each piece. Here are some categories and examples of related aromas and flavors that you might observe

Spice: Cinnamon, vanilla, liquorice

Roasted: Caramel, coffee, tobacco

Nuts: Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts

Fruit: Red berries, citrus, dried fruit

Vegetable: Moss, mushrooms, fresh grass

Flowers: Rose, jasmine, orange blossom

Miscellaneous: Milk, butter, earth

Write Down Your Thoughts

It would be helpful to create a template sheet with columns for: chocolate, aroma, texture and flavor, finish and melt. Take your time and write down your thoughts as you taste each piece. Have the sheets available for all of your guests and discuss your results. You might be surprised by some of your guests’ observations.

If you follow these simple steps, you can be assured that your tasting party will be a huge success.

Russ Murray is an author living in New Hampshire who loves all things chocolate. When you are ready to host your own tasting party, I invite you to buy your chocolate at http://www.worldwidechocolate.com, which offers the world’s best imported brands including Amedei, Valhrona, Lindt and Callebaut.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Murray