02 March,2015 08:02 AM IST | | Suprita Mitter
Coffee and chocolate have more in common than you can imagine. Chocolatier Zeba Kohli, who has been using this potent pair to create unique gourmet chocolates for over two decades, tells us what makes this combination irresistible
Coffee is a beverage that's been used over the years and has a fair share of romanticism attached to it. However, the next time you decide to gulp down caffeine be it to stay awake before an exam, to get back to piled up work, to improve athletic performance on the track or field, or to get a high do it in the most delicious way possible: eat it as a chocolate.
Chocolate and coffee have always amazed me. They grow in similar equatorial climates. They're produced similarly, both originating from the seed of a fruit, which is processed, dried, roasted, and ground prior to consumption. From a tiny bean, you get so many flavours and nutrients. Coffee is an extremely intense and aromatic beverage; chocolate has the same qualities too.
Espresso which is coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans is the base for most coffee beverages. Chocolate takes the edge off something as intense as coffee, bringing out the notes, enhancing and complimenting coffee.
Coffee beans can, at times, have a floral or acidic tone. The most important thing to remember when pairing coffee and chocolates is to pair distinct flavours. Each should hold their own.
