January isn't the first time in the course of a year I begin thinking about Valentine's Day, but it is the time I become much more intense in preparing for the chocolate-centric holiday.
However, this year I have turned inward in pushing my own understanding of chocolate through exploring new chocolate makers, new beans, new recipes, new techniques, and new pairings in order to better share my passion with others. I am not only a person who makes things using chocolate; I use chocolate as a way to learn about people, cultures, lands and environments, weather, politics and economics, histories, gender and labor, relationships, and perceptions through senses.
It can be a lot. And many times when folx visit me and ask how I'm doing, sometimes I'm in a state of overwhelm or withdrawal because I've either been saturated with chocolate research or doing more mundane (re: absolutely necessary!) tasks such as payroll, accounting, and shop repairs.
But I'd have it no other way. Except maybe more of it!
Which brings me to sharing with y'all some of the exciting events Queer Chocolatier has upcoming for the lead up to Valentine's Day!
Intro Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event featuring Chocolates El Rey
On Monday, February 3rd from 7-8:30ish in the evening, we will hold our Intro Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event featuring six chocolate samples from Venezuelan chocolate maker, Chocolates El Rey. During this fun tasting event, you'll sample dark, milk, and white chocolates while learning some of the key terminology involved with describing your perceptions of flavor. You might even make a few new friends along the way!
Intermediate Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event featuring 70% cacao chocolate samples from six different countries made by Dandelion Chocolate
The following Monday, February 10th from 7-8:30ish in the evening, our Intermediate Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event will feature six chocolate samples of 70% cacao content from around the world. Here, we will discuss how the terroir and post-harvest practices impact the flavor of chocolate.
Advanced Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event featuring chocolate pairings to create a charcuterie-style board including dark, milk, and white chocolates and curated cheeses, nuts, fruits, breads and spreads
Not enough chocolate events? Great! On Tuesday, February 11th, from 7-8ish in the evening, Queer Chocolatier will host its first Advanced Level Guided Chocolate Tasting Event! We will explore the variety of ways to pair chocolate with other foods in order to create a charcuterie-style chocolate board. Combining chocolate samples with cheeses as the focused pairings, we will also supplement the spread with fresh and dried fruits, spreads, nuts, and crackers.
If you can’t make these events, fear not! During our open hours, we will have large assortment boxes for you to grab and go in order to share (or not!) And we will be dabbling in a few new-to-us recipes such as Queer Conversation Hearts and some Peanut Butter Cups. We might even bring back a few items that we prepared last year in small batches, including our chocolate-dipped pretzels, chips, and bears!
Happy Valentine's to you and all those you unapologetically love!