5 Weirdest Chocolate Flavors I have ever tried
The funniest part of my journey? Getting friends to try the weird flavors I pick for them to taste. In fact, I believe that the majority of chocolate consumers is still scared of fancy combinations.They like to play it safe. Peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, marshmallow, cinnamon, mint, coffee: all flavors that we instinctively know are going to pair well with chocolate. Moreover, artisan chocolate could be perceived as highly priced compared to the mass-market chocolate in supermarket. Therefore consumers might prefer to choose a flavor they know they are going to like rather than experimenting and wasting their hardly earned money on fine chocolate they might not enjoy.I get pretty upset too whenever a fancy combination disappoints me. The 'rejected' chocolate bars end up either in Purgatory or Hell: in the first case, they will be grated in my morning oatmeal, and in the second case they will be thrown in the garbage. Pretty sad destiny, I know.On the other side, I can't resist the temptation to try uncommon flavors. Chocolatiers and chocolate makers secretly experiment all day in their laboratories to come up with innovative creations, making me too curious to see the results of their hard work to stick with the tradition.Here are the 5 weirdest chocolate flavors I have tried so far on my chocolate journey.
- CURRY
I can confidently say that I put curry powder in almost every single dish I prepare at home. I'd buy a curry soap and wash myself with it every day if they ever made one. I just adore the smell and the taste of it. But in my chocolate? NEVER AGAIN! I tried it once, and the taste of curry was prevailing on the taste of chocolate so much that it seemed like chewing on curry rice melted in a creamy texture. Just NO.
- GINGER
Lately I have been a firm believer of the magical healing powers of ginger. A very kind person once told me to boil some ginger in water every time I didn't feel good or had a cold. It does MIRACLES! This is why I am a fan of ginger and chocolate. Seeing all the benefits of dark chocolate too, I am almost sure you can turn into an Highlander if you often consume this combo. And if well balanced, the pungent taste of ginger fits perfectly in the intensity of chocolate.
- POTATO CHIP
This sounded too weird to be true. The saltiest snack with the sweetest one in the same bite?! Oh yes, chocolatiers can get VERY creative. And I swear that this is one of the most successful combinations I have ever tried. It must have taken such a long time to find the perfect balance between these two opposed flavors, but it worked. You get the best of both worlds, with an unforgettable crunchiness.
- LAVENDER
One of those essences usually associated with house and beauty products. How does it feel in your mouth? Well, it depends. Some chocolate bars will make it seem like you accidentally got shampoo in your mouth while washing your hair. Too much! Others will turn it into a pleasant sensation, putting just the required hint to not let the flavor of lavender get lost in the density of chocolate. Try out different brands to find out who makes the best of it.
- QUINOA
This combination got pretty popular lately. Consumers are more aware than ever of what they put in their bodies, and companies are jumping on the bandwagon with chocolate combined with other super healthy foods. I have to say that I go crazy for this flavor! No matter the brand, the crunchiness never disappoints. More robust texture than the traditional puffed rice, quinoa can definitely add something special to any plain dark chocolate. What are the weirdest chocolate flavors YOU have ever tried?I did NOT get paid and did NOT receive any kind of favor for writing this article. These are my honest opinions at your service.