Schokolade und Zigarren

Ricci schwärmt seit Jahren von dieser Kombination, CigarCyclopedia.com schreibt heute im Beitrag “Connecting Chocolate and Cigars” darüber: Schokolade und Zigarren passen hervorragend zueinander. Im Fokus des Artikels steht die Schokoladen-Komposition “The Aficionado’s Collection” des Schweizer Schokolatiers House of Grauer. Es handelt sich um Grand Cru Schokolade aus venezolanischen Kakaobohnen. Jede Komposition ist laut CigarCyclopedia.com auf einen bestimmten Zigarrentyp abgestimmt. 

“In “The Leaves” series, three-inch planks of chocolate are combined with complimentary ingredients to create four different styles: French Organic Bee Pollen, best with a full-bodied and spicy cigar; Japanese Macha Tea, perfect with a mild-bodied cigar; Italian Roasted Hazelnuts, ideal with medium-bodied cigars that will match its intensity and Hawaiian Kona Coffee Bean, to be enjoyed with a full-bodied cigar that can stand up to the power of the coffee flavor.

 In “The Sticks” series, a 2 1/2-inch-long piece of chocolate that is shaped like a small cigar is infused with a fruit or spice taste. The cigars and chocolate are impacted by the accent flavor, similar to the result of pairings with spirits. There are four styles in this group: Sri Lankan Cinnamon (best with a medium-bodied, woody cigar blend); Turkish Star Anise (pair with medium-bodied, earthy cigars); French Raspberry (pair with mild cigars, especially those with some sweetness) and Italian Lime (best with a full-bodied and spicy cigar).

 In “The Rings” series, flat discs of chocolate of 1 5/16 inches in diameter are offered in six styles that include white, milk and dark chocolate: Africa, a white-chocolate blend (good with mild-bodied cigars); Bolivia, a lightly-bitter chocolate that pairs with full-bodied cigars; Sao Tome is sharp and dark and makes a perfect nightcap to a mild-bodied cigar; Venezuela is a sweet and mild milk chocolate that can be appreciated with a medium-bodied cigar; Madagascar is intense and will complement a medium-bodied cigar and add depth to it, and the Palate Cleanser is just that, a bittersweet dark chocolate infused with peppermint, to bring your palate to neutral ground.”