At Intrigue Chocolates Co. we believe in getting the most out of every experience. This will be our 3rd year at the Chocolate Luxury Salon. We wanted to pass along our tried and true tips to making the Salon a fantastically delicious experience!
Before you get there:
- Eat a healthy, light meal. You’ll thank me later!
- As with all tastings, please avoid wearing cologne/perfume; they interfere with the tasting experience. (“Why does this one taste like Old Spice?” “It reminds me of Chanel No. 5.”)
- Wear comfy shoes and dress in layers.
- Plan your day. We suggest getting there early, plan a lunch break, get some air, stretch your legs, and then return to taste the rest of the chocolates.
What to Bring:
- A water bottle. Perhaps some milk for the little ones. Skip the soda and other sweet drinks. Again, you’ll thank me later!
- Crackers or a protein bar. This helps to balance your energy and clear your palate.
- A comfortable bag. This is great for toting goodies and information home.
- Camera, notebook, pen, and lots of questions.
- Cash, checks, or credit cards! Your ticket fees don’t go to the chocolatiers. In fact, we have to pay to be there, too. Reward the companies you like the most by proving how much you like their work. It may be hard to imagine eating more chocolate after working your way around the room, but—trust me—tomorrow is a new day. [grin]
When you arrive:
- Get a voting card to keep track of the chocolates you like best.
- Take a walk around the room to survey the tables first.
- Tasting wine? Scope out which chocolatiers can pair their chocolates with your glass.
- Try to taste everything. Ask for smaller samples or bring a friend to share, so you can be sure enjoy the large variety. The chocolatiers want you to sample every flavor! How else will you know which one is your favorite? And it may not be the one you expect.
- Patience and moderation. We want to take time to talk to each of you, and we need to make sure there are enough samples to go around. You won’t get to hear (or taste) what’s special and unique about each confection if you just take a piece and run!
Before leaving:
- Cast your vote for your favorites at the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon.
- Share your feedback with the organizers. What did you love? What would you change?
- TWEET! TWEET!
- Yelp!
HOT TIP: Bring a small plastic container. Some chocolatiers have samples left at the end of the show. If you ask nicely, they might let you take some home to share with your friends.
Jamaican Hot Chocolate Truffle – The days are getting hotter and so is this truffle, with dark rum, honey, vanilla, nutmeg, and habañero chilis.
Hibiscus – We all want to look younger, especially during the warm months and this truffle made with hibiscus petals just may help you do that. Hibiscus is supposed to make your hair more lustrous and keep it attached! This is just a happy coincidence for us, because we really chose this flavor because of the pattern on Dad’s Hawaiian shirts.
Smokin’ Scotch Truffle – The peaty, smoky Scotch whisky in this truffle tastes of chocolate, a flask, and a campfire. Oh, those summer nights…
Coriander the Great Truffle – Said to have many medicinal powers (diuretic, antioxidant, antibacterial to name a few) coriander is indeed Great! This truffle is made of toasted coriander seed and a drop of honey. Roasted nutty and lemony aromas are anchored by a touch of sweetness.
Orange-Rosemary Truffle – You know beyond doubt that orange is a natural with chocolate. Fresh orange zest and fresh organic rosemary bring bright musky, earthy notes to the chocolate, reminding us of the best men’s cologne.
Saint Basil Truffle – So many yummy things to eat in the summer, but keep this truffle with its fresh organic basil on your menu. Basil aids in digestion and has curative properties for the tummy.
Jasmine Green Truffle – Flowers used to make jasmine green tea are gathered during the darkness of night when their fragrance is most powerful. Culturally significant all over the world, the jasmine flower symbolizes motherhood in Thailand.
Vrai Chai Truffle – Made with black tea steeped with big, chunky pieces of the real deal: 14 herbs, spices, roots, and fruit. This is not some commercially extracted and flavored powder, or a two-dimensional tea and cardamom rip-off. True to tradition, Intrigue uses a complex blend of black tea, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, orange peel, astragalus (ancient Chinese herbal treatment) , cardamom, coriander, galangal (citrusy/piney/earthy aroma, used as an aphrodisiac in Southeast Asia), gingko (memory enhancer), gotu-kola (improves mental clarity), fo-ti (longevity tonic), nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla beans.
Orchid Truffle – Flavored with real vanilla beans, the Orchid truffle emulates the singular specialness of mothers. The vanilla bean is the fruit of an orchid (Vanilla planifolia), found originally only in Mexico. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice in the world, hand harvested from a rare flower that lasts only for one day.
Sweet Raspberry Truffle – Liqueurs are said to be descendant of herbal remedies perfected in ancient monasteries. Raspberries rank high among fruits for their antioxidants, so the raspberry liqueur in these truffles may very well have healing properties!