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Episode 86 Overview
Every year I do a gifting guide and this year I am mixing the format up a bit by:
- doing it as an episode of PodSaveChocolate, and
- showcasing exhibitors at the recent Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival
More Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival Bars
Direct link to the bars NOT tasted in the episode.
Cacaitos (Canada) Chigorodó (Colombia) 73% two-ingredient
Maverick (Ohio) 80% Dark (Kokoa Kamili)
Askanya (Haiti) from Peace on Fifth (Ohio) 50% Dark
Chocolate Café (Rushville) 75% Dark w/ Bourbon.
Dustin has a very limited number of these bars – and other CCC winners – available for sale in his shop. Contact Dustin via email if interested in any of those.
Two More Tastings
Alter Eco is on my radar this year because I was approached by their PR company and was sent samples to taste. I met the founder, Mathieu Sendard, years ago and have been following them because they are on the Chocolate Scorecard. Alter Eco products are widely available at retail (they are in my local Sprouts) and easy to find.
Alter Eco products will appeal to people generally interested in certified products, and much of their packaging is home compostable. Alter Eco truffles are a solid alternative to Lindt’s Lindor balls.
I first met the founder, Mona, in 2016 and am working with her to help navigate these trying business times. Mona has been a pioneer of flavor-full vegan, gluten- and allergen-free chocolate and confections for two decades. They make their couverture from cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and natural liquid sweeteners, giving them a very soft texture.
I had the chance to sample AdM chocolates and confections at Thanksgiving without letting anyone know they were vegan and allergen-free. Everything I put out was eaten with praise – and surprise (positive) when I told them about their ingredients. If you want something with texture, try the Sel Mignardise (a best-seller). The Cointreau and Grand Marnier options are creamy ganaches.
More Gifting Suggestions
I have known one of the founders of Sip!, En Min Hsu, for close to 20 years – we met at a World Pastry Forum. If you’re looking for a truly gourmet hot chocolate mix, consider Sip! Extraordinary ... available in Dark, Milk, and Peppermint.
Milk Frother - Hot Chocolate Maker
One of the exhibitors at the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival was using a milk frother to prep and serve hot chocolate samples during the festival. When I returned I bought this one to see how it worked out, and after a week of daily use, I am quite happy with it.
On these chilly pre-dawn winter days, my first cup of coffee in the morning is now a mocha. I add a tablespoon (or two) of Sip! mix to cold milk and use the stirrer paddle to mix and heat the chocolate to 160F – taking less time to make than the coffee does. (I use an Aeropress.)
The non-stick interior makes it quick and easy to clean. Pro tip: fill the frother with warm water and a drop of dish soap and run a cycle to clean the bowl. A quick rinse and wipe and it’s clean and dry for the ext use.
This particular model might not be the one for you (the much more expensive one from Breville is very highly rated), but this is an inexpensive way to get more chocolate into your morning.
Aeropress
A manual maker that makes great coffee – from Espresso to Americano and everything in between. Takes less time and gear than a pour-over and is a lot easier to clean than a French press.
This has been my everyday coffee maker since 2019. If you don’t want to use the paper filters, reusable stainless steel filters are available, as are attachments to make more espresso-y beverages.
Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao’s Soul
Just released! The publication date was October 8th.
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
Rowan and I discussed this book in the livestream. If you are interested in knowing more about the Beni region of Bolivia, the chocolatales, and other facts about the landscape of the Americas before the arrival of Colombus – natural and man-mediated – this is the book for you. I can also recommend 1493 by the same author.
Questions?
If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at any time.
More Episode Hashtags (and Related Accounts to Follow)
#cocoa #cacao #cacau
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate
#PodSaveChoc #PSC
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife
Future Episodes
The Holiday Gifting episode featuring a tasting of offerings from Alter Eco and other makers along with a hardware recommendation for hot chocolate lovers ... and more.
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