Chocolate: the great flavour debate

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 12:00PM, 21 March 2011 by Sarah Sysum - Assistant editor, Easy Cook magazine

Over dinner with some friends recently the most hotly debated topic wasn't politics or global warming but chocolate, or more specifically chocolate flavours. Something interesting happened. The table divided into two camps over the question: are you a mint or orange lover?

Do we really need flavoured chocolate or are we being too clever by half?

This got me thinking, do we really need flavoured chocolate or are we being too clever by half? Recently I conducted a chocolate taste test, which meant eating and cooking my way through over 50 bars. None of them were flavoured, but because of the quality you'd never know it. For example one rich plain chocolate tasted of cherries and a milk chocolate where the cocoa beans had been grown in Madagascar had a strong vanilla flavour. If proof were needed, the white chocolate bar that won out was a supermarket own brand because it tasted of condensed milk (the flavour as children we most closely associate with it) - the bars with added vanilla seeds were left firmly out in the cold.

Many would say I'm being chocolate snob and I probably am. But would the chocolate world cave in if Marmite chocolate wasn't available? Where Marmite leads, others follow. Recent 'products in development' I've had a sneaky peek at include chocolate flavoured with beetroot and lime, wasabi and pork scratchings. I'm not convinced; give me a box of after-dinner mints any day.

Do you go for flavoured chocolate or an unadulterated cocoa hit?

Comments

Recipes

21 March 2011, 12:53PM
Recipes

If I'm in the mood for really tasting chocolate, then I'd go for the single-estate, tasting-notes-on-the-back kind. If I'm in the mood for snaffling, then you can't beat a Terry's chocolate orange!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Aimee Steen

21 March 2011, 1:06PM
Aimee Steen

I'm not a huge fan of many of the stranger combinations, but I do love trying any new one I come across! Marmite choc doesn't do it for me but Baileys chocolate is downright delicious.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Smiles302

21 March 2011, 3:20PM
Smiles302

I hated flavoured chocolate! It's like half way to a desert. If you want baileys in chocolate give me a baileys chocolate cheesecake! etc etc It's lazy is what that is! Ruining the amazing chocolate bars... (Unless you have a box of chocolates, then flavours are expected and called for) Otherwise get the ORANGE OUT OF MY CHOCOLATE BAR! Huff!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
kitchengardener

22 March 2011, 7:01PM
kitchengardener

There are all manner of different chocolates in my cupboards for various uses but flavoured? no thank you! Call me a traditionalist but if I need a chocolate hit then it'll be proper dark 45-65% cocoa solids chocolate for me.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
katz41

24 March 2011, 2:17AM
katz41

Green and Black's chocolate has some very tasty combinations but that's where I stop..I think some chocolatiers go too far..

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
deminmartin9

31 March 2011, 9:49AM
deminmartin9

he Great Chocolate Debate. Is there a best way to add chocolate to drinks? .... When you create those one-of-a-kind flavor combinations. Its very Yummy. ------------------ <a href="http://www.noosachocolate.com.au" rel="dofollow">gluten free chocolate</a>

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
deminmartin9

31 March 2011, 9:51AM
deminmartin9

he Great Chocolate Debate. Is there a best way to add chocolate to drinks? .... When you create those one-of-a-kind flavor combinations. Its very Yummy. ------------------ [URL="http://www.noosachocolate.com.au" rel="dofollow"]gluten free chocolate[/URL]

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
peter h

1 April 2011, 4:01PM
peter h

Can you please help.Last year I made a dark chocolate peppermint mouse it was wonderful I think the recipe was in Oct 2010 G F Mag.which I have lost,I have all last years but this one. Living in hope that some one can help.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
CassisCook

10 April 2011, 2:34PM
CassisCook

I as a chocoholic agree that some chocolatiers can go to far but that simple combinations such as orange and chocolate like terry's can be delicious! I also like to make my own because then i know exactly what I want!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
snowshoes

10 April 2011, 9:13PM
snowshoes

I tried a bar of Chilli and Lime chocolate recently and was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it! To be fair though I will eat any kind, from Dairy Milk to Green and Blacks! Giving it up for Lent for the first time ever this year has been a nightmare!!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
voguebuybuy

16 May 2011, 1:17PM
voguebuybuy

everybody, Welcome to: (Www.Voguebuybuy.Com) Air j ordan(1-24)shoes Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) Jean(True Religion,ed hardy) Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) Fashion Hats Scarves Cheap Sweater ro lex watch />>>-----I love you!-----> Believe you will love it. free shipping ,What are you waiting for.... Welcome to search by google (Www voguebuybuy Com)

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Gwenda

1 June 2011, 2:49PM
Gwenda

I had some White chocolate chilli truffles and I have to say they were amazing!!but give me green and blacks White chocolate anyway mmmm vanilla!!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.

Search Good Food

Keywords

Refine your recipe search

Search filter options

BBC Good Food

Primary Navigation

Good Food Blog