• CHOCOLATE & SAVORY FOOD WALKS
• CHOCO-QUOTE OF THE MONTH
• CHOCOLATE ON THE BRAIN
• CHOCO-WORD OF THE MONTH
• MEETUP @ THE WINE CELLAR
• MOST EXPENSIVE DESSERT
• “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK
  

CHOCOLATE & SAVORY FOOD WALKS

Join Chocolate Tasting & More this month as we explore the Metro’s sweetest nooks and crannies for chocolate and everything delicious:

• Lake Oswego Chocolate: Sat. August 6th
• Downtown Portland Chocolate: Sun. August 14th
• NEW! Downtown Vancouver Sweet & Savory: Sat. August 20th
• Pearl/West End Chocolate: Sat. August 27th

CHOCO-QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“Man cannot live on chocolate alone, but woman sure can.” ~Author Unknown

CHOCOLATE ON THE BRAIN

CHOCO-word of the month

Callets is one of many words used to refer to small discs of pure chocolate that are wonderful for baking, weighing, tempering, and oh did I mention, eating! Other terms used include discs, palets and medallions. Trader Joe’s has 8 oz. bags of 65% Semi-Sweet Chocolate Callets that are especially convenient to use since 6 callets make up one ounce for easy calculations. Callebaut also has 56% cocoa content callets. What are your favorite chocolates to use when baking? Something to think about: is convenience a higher priority than taste? Let us know.

MEETUP @ THE WINE CELLAR

The Portland Chocolate Lovers’ Meetup was started to gather chocolate lovers together and explore the world of our favorite food group. If you live in the Portland, Oregon area, love meeting fellow food enthusiasts, and want to discover new and exciting chocolate in all forms, then then this group is for you. This month we’ll be heading to The Wine Cellar on Sunday, August 28th, from 4-5:30 pm for a special wine and chocolate pairing class. Register today!

MOST EXPENSIVE DESSERT

Some folks may complain about the high costs of some chocolates. Yes, there are some companies that charge a pretty penny for their creations. However, when you think of all that is involved with getting cacao cultivated, harvested and to your taste buds, it is really quite the deal. Here’s a glimpse or two of some of the world’s most expensive chocolates. Want to find out what is the world’s most expensive chocolate dessert? Well it is from New York City and you can read all the delicious and opulent details here. Nothing like some help in putting things into perspective!

“LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK

Click here to “Like” us to keep abreast of even more chocolate info, events, and choco-happenings in Portland, the Northwest, and beyond. We’re shooting for 100 “likes” by the end of the month, so your help is appreciated.

SPUD MEETS CHOCOLATE

If you love the contrast between sweet and salty, you may love these two products that combine chocolate and the humble potato. The first is a new chocolate bar called simply, Potato Chips in Chocolate by Chuao (rhymes with wow) from San Diego. The second is one of my favorites, Chocolate Chippers by Michele's Chocolates from Portland. If these aren’t easily available, why not watch the video by Chuao and get some inspiration for some summer kitchen fun. Can’t think of a better way of getting your potassium along with those antioxidants!

EXPECTATION
& TASTE

The subtitles of marketing can sure be intriguing. Researchers from Massachusetts performed a study where participants were all given a square of Trader Joe's brand chocolate. Half were told it was manufactured in Switzerland, while the other half were told it was made in China. When consumers were told that they were about to eat a chocolate bar from Switzerland, they preferred it to that same bar "made in China." When they were told that the chocolate was manufactured in Switzerland AFTER they tasted the bar, they say they preferred the so-called Chinese chocolate. Same results were obtained when they used price instead of country. Get more info on this interesting article at Live Science.

CHOCOLATE
@ THE FAIR

To many people summertime is synonymous with local fairs… and the munchies that go along with them. Food-on-a-stick options have become very popular all over, and in Iowa they have a list of 60 intriguing state fair concoctions, with a whopping 25% having chocolate in them. Some of the notable ones include: frozen s’mores on a stick, chocolate covered fried ice cream on a stick, and the fudge puppy. Check this link for their full “stick” menu! Have you tasted any fun and inspiring treats lately?

CHOCOLATE-COVERED THANKS

Thank you to all our program participants, newsletter subscribers, website visitors, and friends and family who take the time to read through The Cacao Nibbler. Chocolate Tasting & More wouldn’t be here without you. Make It A Great August!