Spotlight On: Valentine’s Day 2013

A Valentine’s Day Supper

Ahhh, Valentine’s Day…it is synonymous with flowers, chocolates, romance, love…As you return from your romantic candlelit dinners this evening, why not conclude  with a romantic supper on your front porch by candle light: Start with an Espresso Martini, follow it with sharing an Affogato, and then finish with some chocolates over coffee.  In honour of this wonderful day, and paying homage to all the lovers out there, we thought we would pair some love heart shaped specialty chocolates (purchased fom specialty chocolate stores in the CBD Melbourne area) with our favourite coffees from Melbourne cafes.

Chocolates from Chocolait

From Chocolait, we purchased three chocolates: A Passion Fruit White Heart, a Strawberry White Heart and a Chocolate Praline Heart.  The Passion Fruit had a delicious gooey passion fruit white centre and an equally delicious scent (divine!).  The Strawberry White had a gooey strawberry filling and luscious scent, and the Chocolate Praline Heart had a delectable chocolate praline centre.  We recommend a Split Shot coffee from Ora Cafe with these chocolates. In particular, the Chocolate Praline Heart would pair well with the strong taste of the shot of espresso, the Cascara (being the ‘cleanser’ in the split shot) would pair well with the clean taste of the Passion Fruit Heart, and the butteriness of the Piccolo coffee would pair well with the Strawberry White Heart.

A ‘Split Shot’ Coffee

Chocolates from The Chocolate Box

From the Chocolate Box, we purchased a Strawberry Heart and a Raspberry Heart.  The Strawberry Heart was described as being a “sweet white chocolate heart filled to the brim with the fruity strawberry puree and a hint of strawberry liqueur” (in-store description).  The Raspberry Heart was described as being a “raspberry ganache encased in a dark heart mold, topped with fine pink and white chocolate” (in-store description).  We recommend the Strawberry Heart would pair well with a Clover coffee from 3 Bags Full, and the strong raspberry taste of the Raspberry Heart would be well paired with a Magic coffee (a strong coffee) from Hobba.

A ‘Magic’ Coffee from Hobba

Chocolates from Lindt

From the Lindt store we purchased a Wimbledon and a Franboise.  The Wimbledon was a standout and one of our favourites!  It was described as being “a strawberry and white chocolate ganache covered in milk chocolate with lilacs” (in-store description).  It smelled good, it tasted great and eating it gave us a lovely journey: As you bite through the hard chocolate shell, the gooey filling oozes into your mouth and then the lilac candy on top of the chocolate crackles sweet crunchiness.  Wow!  A brilliant experience for all the senses!  Given its glory, a simple Latte or Flat White  (we recommend it be prepared with the smooth beans from 5 Senses coffee beans) would compliment this chocolate

A ‘Flat White’ Coffee, 5 Senses Coffee Beans

as you would not want the accompanying coffee to overpower the chocolate but to indeed enhance the experience.  The Franboise was described as a “raspberry flavoured centre enrobed in dark chocolate with a gold leaf finish” (in-store description).  Given the indulgent golden leaf finish we though it would be a disservice to pair this chocolate with anything less than a high end coffee, such as a Syphon coffee, from one of the high end coffee specialty cafes (such as from Proud Mary or Ora Cafe).

(* Are you enjoying our journey through chocolate and coffee so far?  We loved this project!)

A Syphon Coffee

Koko Black Chocolate Hearts

Koko Black offered the widest range of heart shaped chocolates this Valentine’s Day as they specially produce some just for Valentine’s Day.  We purchased a Caramelised Coconut, a Sienna Strawberry (also available in milk and dark chocolate) and a Champagne Heart.  The Caramelised Coconut Heart was described as being “white chocolate, almond praline, blended with caramelised coconut” (in-store description).  This chocolate heart too was a standout and our other favourite! It looked fabulous, the praline scent was alluring and it tasted great!  As with the Wimbledon Heart, this chocolate gives you a magnificent eating experience: As you bite through the hard chocolate exterior the thick gooey centre explodes in your mouth and just when you think it can’t get any better…wait for it… the crunchy caramelised coconut hits you.  Just heavenly!  Immediately and without hesitation a ¾ Latte made with the Ronin blend beans from Ora Cafe came to mind to pair with this blissful chocolate: This coffee would be an ideal accompaniment as the butteriness of that coffee would synchronise well with the caramelised coconut and almond praline.

The delicious specialty chocolates!

The Sienna Strawberry Heart was described as being “milk chocolate, French strawberry puree ganache” (in-store description).  This delicious strawberry flavour would be well suited with a Shot of Espresso from Penny Farthing, specifically, one made with the Aricha Yirgacheffe Ethiopian coffee beans:  If you haven’t tried this coffee you must!  The naturally sweet notes of strawberry (yes, strawberry!) in this coffee is beyond amazing!  It is only natural that this chocolate and coffee be paired together.

A Shot of Espresso from Penny Farthing

A Cold Drip Coffee

The Champagne Heart was described as “dark chocolate, white chocolate ganache infused with champagne” (in-store description).  This liquor taste would be well paired with a Cold Drip coffee because you ‘Sit Sip and Savour’ this coffee as you would an alcoholic beverage.

We wish you all a wonderful evening and as a great man once said “all you need is love”.  Happy Valentine’s Day!