The art of pairing chocolate is an exciting experience in which we experiment with combining various flavors with rich cocoa to create an exquisite and memorable taste. However, many chocolate enthusiasts, especially beginners, face the challenge of finding the perfect combinations that will enhance, rather than overpower, the rich and luxurious taste of premium chocolates.

In this guide, we will share insights and tips that can help you navigate different flavor profiles and how they can pair well with chocolate. Whether you're hosting an elegant dinner party or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, these tips can transform your chocolate pairings into a gourmet experience to delight your taste buds!

Classic Combinations with Chocolate

When it comes to classic pairings, a couple of combinations have stood the test of time, offering a fusion of flavors that can elevate your chocolate experience to new heights. Here are some of those pairings:

Fruits That Pair Well with Chocolate

Fruits are a natural companion to chocolate, offering a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. The natural and tangy sweetness of citrus fruits, berries, and tropical sweet fruits complements the rich, creamy, and even bitter notes of chocolate. Here are some popular chocolate and fruit pairings that you can try:

• Dark Chocolate and Raspberries
• White Chocolate and Strawberries
• Milk Chocolate and Bananas
• Dark Chocolate and Oranges
• White Chocolate and Mango

If you're looking for a refined experience that combines fruits and chocolate, a Fruit Chocolates collection⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a must-try. Here, you'll find a curated selection of pairings that elevate the natural flavors of both elements, such as chocolate-dipped cherries and lemon creme-filled gourmet chocolate bars.

Nuts and Seeds that Compliment Chocolate

Nuts and seeds add a satisfying crunch and a rich, earthy flavor to chocolate, making them an ideal pairing. The bold richness of hazelnuts, the buttery smoothness of almonds, and the subtle nuttiness of pistachios create a delightful fusion of textures and tastes when paired with chocolate. Here are some ideal combinations:

• Dark Chocolate and Almonds
• Dark Chocolate and Hazelnuts
• Milk Chocolate and Pecan
• White Chocolate and Macadamia Nuts
• Dark Chocolate and Pistachios
• Milk Chocolate and Cashews

For a premium selection of chocolate and nut pairings, explore our chocolate and nuts collection that promises to delight your senses!

Chocolate and Beverage Pairings

Pairing chocolate with beverages opens up a more sophisticated experience. Each sip and bite complement each other for a balanced and luxurious experience. Whether it's coffee, tea, or wine, the right beverage can elevate the flavors of chocolate, making each moment special.

Best Wines to Enjoy with Chocolate

Chocolate and wine pairings are a match made in heaven, each complementing the other's flavors and creating a harmonious experience. The key to a perfect pairing lies in balancing the sweetness and intensity of the chocolate with the flavor profiles of different wines. Some standout pairings include:

• Dark Chocolate and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Milk Chocolate and Pinot Noir
• White Chocolate and Moscato d'asti
• Dark Chocolate and Vin Santo
• Milk Chocolate and any Dessert Wine

For more in-depth insights, explore our Chocolate and Wine Pairing guide, where we discuss useful tips for matching chocolate with a variety of wines.

Coffee and Tea That Enhance Chocolate Flavors

Coffee and tea offer a world of possibilities for pairing with chocolate, each bringing out different aspects of the chocolate's flavor that most adults enjoy. The bold, rich notes of coffee, whether it’s a strong shot of espresso or a smooth, creamy latte or cappuccino, complement the rich flavor of dark chocolate.

On the other hand, tea's delicate flavors, from the floral notes of an Earl Grey to the earthy flavors of green tea, also offer a sophisticated pairing with milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Innovative Chocolate Pairings

While classic pairings offer a popular, tried-and-true path to enjoying chocolate, innovative pairings invite you to explore unique tastes. This includes chocolate and cheese pairings and even unconventional combinations with spices. These push the boundaries of flavor, offering a gourmet experience that's surprisingly delightful! Here are some must-try innovative chocolate pairings to try:

• Dark chocolate and Blue Cheese
• Milk Chocolate and Goat Cheese
• White Chocolate and Brie
• Dark Chocolate and Chili Peppers (In certain dishes)
• Milk Chocolate and Sea Salt

Chocolate in Savory Dishes

As unconventional as it sounds, chocolate can also add depth and richness to certain savory dishes, transforming ordinary meals into sophisticated, gourmet experiences. The complexity of chocolate flavors can bring out the best in a variety of savory ingredients, creating unforgettable flavor combinations.

Consider trying chili mole sauce, a traditional Mexican dish where dark chocolate is blended with chilies, nuts, and other spices to create a rich, velvety sauce. This sauce pairs deliciously with chicken or turkey, adding a unique touch to your meal.

Another innovative idea is to incorporate chocolate into a rich beef stew. The chocolate's deep, earthy flavors complement the savory elements, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

By experimenting with chocolate in your savory dishes, you can elevate your culinary creations and impress your guests with unexpected and delightful flavors!

Desserts and Baking with Chocolate

Must-Try Chocolate Dessert Recipes

Chocolate desserts are a staple of any gourmet kitchen. By adding chocolate to your recipes, you can create masterpieces that delight the senses. Here are a couple of must-try recipes:

• Chocolate Lava Cake - This classic dessert features a rich, molten chocolate center that oozes out when you cut into it.
• Chocolate Truffles - Simple yet elegant, these round, bite-sized chocolate treats are perfect for any occasion.
• Chocolate Torte - A dense, flourless cake that highlights the pure flavor of chocolate. This dessert celebrates chocolate in its most concentrated form, offering a luxurious finish to any meal.

Key Baking Ingredients for Perfect Chocolate Desserts

To create perfect chocolate desserts, ensuring the quality of your ingredients is important. Providing fine chocolate for baking ensures that your desserts are nothing short of spectacular. Here are some key ingredients you should include:

• Cocoa Butter -This pure, creamy fat extracted from cacao beans adds a smooth and rich texture to your chocolate desserts.
• Butter - High-quality butter enhances the flavor and texture of chocolate desserts, making them even more indulgent.
• Milk - Whether it’s whole milk or a creamy alternative, milk is useful in achieving the perfect consistency in your chocolate treats.
• Vanilla Extract - Adding a small amount of vanilla can enhance the chocolate flavor, adding depth and flavor to your desserts.

Where to Buy Quality Chocolate and Pairing Ingredients

To truly appreciate the art of chocolate pairing, it’s essential to start with the best quality ingredients. For premium chocolates, it's best to seek out artisan chocolatiers who craft small-batch gourmet chocolates. These shops, including their online alternatives, usually use high-quality ingredients with unique flavors and textures.

Meanwhile, local farmer's markets and gourmet grocery stores are always great places to find fresh, high-quality ingredients for your chocolate pairings. They sell quality fruits, nuts, spices, cheese, wine, and other ingredients.

Suggested Pairings From Our Chief Chocolatier

WINE PAIRINGS

All Pieces

• Dry Red: Pinot Noir or Chianti Classico Riserva with fresh and/or jammy fruit notes with sweet spice
• Recommended Wine: Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir- Complicated Pinot Noir- Failla Pinor Noir- Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva
• Sweet Sparkling: Braquetto D'Aqui
• Recommended Wine: Banfi Rosa Regale

Dark Chocolate

• Sweet Red: Late Harvest Zinfandel
• Recommended Wine: Tobin James Zinfandel
• Dry Red: Malbec, Syrah or Red Blend/Meritage
• Recommended Wine: Catena Malbec- K Vintners Syrah- Failla Pinor Noir- Cain Cuvee

Milk Chocolate

• Dry White: Chenin Blanc or Viognier
• Recommended Wine: Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier Blend- Famille Bougrier Vouvray
• Other: 10+ Year Tawny Port

White Chocolate

• Sparkling Wine: Braquetto D’Aqui, Champagne, Prosecco, Cava etc.
• Recommended Wine: Banfi Rosa Regale
• Dry White: Chenin Blanc or Viognier
• Recommended Wine: Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier Blend- Famille Bougrier Vouvray

BEER PAIRINGS

All Pieces

• Porter: Deschutes Brewing ‘Black Butte Porter'
• Irish Stout: Guinness ‘Draught’
• Milk Stout: Left Hand Brewing Company Milk Stout Nitro, Stone Brewing Xocoveza
• American Stout: Deschutes Brewing ‘Obsidian Stout’

Nuts

• Brown Ale: Rogue Brewing Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Founder’s Brewing Sumatra Mountain Brown
• Honey Ale or Lager: Rogue Brewing Honey Kolsch
• Fruity Ale or Lager: Abita Brewing Purple Haze
• *Nutty Porter or Stout: Six Rivers Macadamia Porter, Kona Macadamia Nut Stout
• *ESB or Smoked Porter: Stone Brewing Smoked Porter

Fruit

• Belgian Golden Ale or Belgian Style: Duvel Original Duvel, Goose Island Sofie
• Fruity Sour Ale: Sam Adams Raspberry Lemon Gose, Lovelady Brewing Pineapple Sour
• *Belgian Style Tripel Fruity Sour or Gose Style: Westmalle Trappist Ale

Caramel

• Blonde Ale: Sixpoint Brewing Sweet Action, CraftHaus Silver State
• Hefeweizen: Sierra Nevada Brewing Kellerweis
• Brown Ale: Rogue Brewing Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Founder’s Brewing Sumatra Mountain Brown or Newcastle Brown Ale
• *Sour Ale or Juicy IPA: Dogfish Head American Beauty Hazy IPA

Dark Chocolate

• Imperial Stout: Deschutes Brewing The Abyss Aged Imperial Stout, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
• Porter, Irish or Milk Stout: Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro, Guinness Irish Stout or Founder’s Breakfast Stout
• *Barrel Aged Imperial Stout: Deschutes Brewing The Abyss Aged Imperial Stout, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Milk Chocolate

• Hefeweizen or Pilsener: Sierra Nevada Kellerweis, Pyramid or Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen
• *Belgian Golden, Saison or Belgian Style Ale: Brewery Ommegang Abbey Ale, Hennepin or Goose Island Sofie

White Chocolate

• Fruit-Forward Ale or Lager: Magic Hat #9, Abita Purple Haze
• Blonde Ale, Hefeweizen or Pilsener: Crafthaus Silverstate Blonde Ale or Sierra Nevada Kellerweis
• *Experimental Pairing

NON-ALCOHOLIC PAIRINGS

Dark Chocolate

• Coffee: Sweet Coffee
• Tea: White or Flower Tea
• Other: Ginger Beer

Milk Chocolate

• Coffee: High Acidity/bitter Coffee
• Tea: Green or Black Teas

White Chocolate

• Coffee: High Acidity/bitter Coffee
• Tea: Green or Black Tea

Fruit

• Other: Cranberry Juice or flavored sparkling waters

CREME LIQUEUR PAIRINGS

Milk Chocolate with Myers’s® Dark Rum

• Cocktails: Pina Colada, Mai Tai or Daiquiri
• Crisp or Golden/Red Lager: Deshutes Pacific Wonderland Lager or Bluepoint Toasted Lager

Milk Chocolate Amaretto

• Cocktails Bourbon Sour or Old Fashioned
• Brown Ale: Brooklyn Brown Ale or Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar

Dark Chocolate with Grand Marnier® Liqueur

• Cocktails: Margarita or Mai Tai
• Saison or Belgian Golden Ale: Goose Island Sofie or Leffe Blonde

Dark Chocolate with Knob Creek® Small Batch Bourbon

• Cocktails: Bourbon Sour, Old Fashioned, Manhattan or Mint Julep
• Milk Stout: Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout Nitro

Dark Chocolate with Herradura® Anejo Tequila

• Cocktails: Margarita or Mojito
• Wheat Ale: Goose Island 312 or Hoegaarden Witbier

Dark Chocolate with Baileys® Irish Cream

• Cocktails: Bailey’s Martini or White Russian
• Porter or Irish Stout: Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Breckenridge Vanilla Porter or Guinness Irish Stout

Shop Premium Chocolate at Ethel M Chocolates

At Ethel M Chocolates, we pride ourselves on offering the finest small-batch gourmet chocolates, which are already paired with some of the classic ingredients in this guide. Whether you're looking for chocolate-coated pecans or the perfect dark chocolate to pair with a glass of cabernet sauvignon, Ethel M Chocolates has a lot to offer with its premium chocolate collection, where you can also find the best types of chocolate for gift giving.

Our chocolates are crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that every piece of chocolate is a luxurious experience. If you’re curious about how chocolates are made, you can visit our factory and flagship store and experience what chocolate tastes like when made with expertise and quality ingredients. So, dive into the world of chocolate pairing and discover the endless ways to delight your sweet tooth with Ethel M Chocolates!