Chocolate makes a perfect gift, for almost any occasion. Chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures, and there are very few people that don't appreciate the chance to indulge in this popular, creamy confection. When you are choosing the perfect chocolate for your friend, family member, or loved one, there are just a few things to pay attention to.
What is Chocolate?
Chocolate has been around for centuries, and was originally used by South American Indians as a stimulating drink. When the Spanish arrived, they realized that, by mixing the substance with sugar, the flavor was greatly improved. Upon bringing the beans to Europe, a more sophisticated process was developed to separate the cocoa solids from the cocoa butter. Chocolate connoisseurs also developed methods to add the creaminess that is recognized as modern chocolate. Today, both milk and dark chocolate use the cocoa solids and cocoa butter in the manufacturing process, while white chocolate takes the cocoa butter and flavors it independently of the cocoa solids.
Quality is Important
The biggest factor for determining how suitable a particular chocolate will be for gifting is quality. There are several factors that go into determining the quality of a chocolate. First, the tempering process needs to have been done correctly. Otherwise, your chocolate will be grainy or have the wrong texture. It is also important that the beans were roasted to the optimal level. Beans that are over roasted can leave a bitter flavor. Finally, the cocoa butter to cocoa solid ratio should be correct for the particular type of chocolate that you prefer.
Low quality chocolate is a poor choice for a gift, so buy the best that you can afford.
White, Milk, or Dark?
Each person has their own preference when it comes to chocolate. Some people can not stand the strong flavor of dark chocolate, while others equally can't stand to indulge in the more mild flavor of milk chocolate. In rare instances, your gift recipient may not enjoy the flavor of cocoa at all. In that case, you will probably be looking at white chocolates to meet their needs. Some people might appreciate a mix of all three choices, if they don't have a specific preference. If you aren't sure as to their tastes, select milk chocolate, as it is generally universally liked.
Chocolates for Gifts
There are several types of chocolate that are ideal for gift giving. First, chocolate bars can make an excellent gift, if you pay attention to both quality and presentation. Chocolate bars can be personalized and wrapped in pretty papers for gifts. Truffles are another fantastic choice when you are giving chocolate as a gift. Truffles are a luxurious type of chocolate, both rich and sophisticated. Chocolate candies are another fantastic choice. Consider chocolate turtles, chocolate caramels, or chocolate covered nuts.
Gift baskets
If you need a bit more hand holding to purchase your gift, or just need a pre-selected variety, the best idea is to purchase a gift basket. These baskets can be purchased with an already determined selection, or you can custom pack a gift basket to fit your loved one's personality.
You can find plenty of places to find gift baskets, including http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com. Online retailers also sell individual chocolates that are ideal for gifts.
Ryan Wilson
To see our excellent selection of chocolates, please visit our website: http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_C_Wilson
Related articles on chocolate:
No comments:
Post a Comment