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Meditating with Chocolate: An Introduction to Tasting Chocolate Like a Pro

Posted by FBL on

Life has gotten so fast that many of us are looking for ways to slow down. Health coaches and other influencer-guru-types remind us to “be present,” recommend meditation, and encourage us to join the “slow food” movement. I recently attended a virtual-mini-class taught by Boston-based chocolate-educator, Anya Zelfond, who owns Gourmet Boutique. I joined class thinking I’d learn a few tips on how professionals make decisions on chocolate, but I came away with something more. The term “chocolate tasting meditation” was used to describe the process, and I realized that the experience she described, was about more than just mindlessly eating chocolate. It’s a wonderful process that requires you to make time and space for yourself, enjoy hand-crafted chocolates, and “meditate” on the experience. In short, it’s a way for us to slow down, “be present” and enjoy “slow food.” The following is a recipe card of sorts which lays out what you need, how to prep, and how to experience your first chocolate tasting meditation.

  • glass of water
Warm water is used to warm and cleanse your palette which allows
you to better experience the chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • Time: About 45 minutes
  • Space: A quiet space where you can relax, unwind, and focus on the tasting/meditation.
  • Chocolates & Palette Cleanser: A glass of warm water and a small assortment of good quality chocolates. Professional tasters will taste anywhere from 4 to 6 bars per tasting, but Anya strongly recommends no more than 4 bars for beginners.
  • Other Materials: A journal and pen (to write down your thoughts), a small towel or napkin. Anything else you need to make this a relaxed experience.
A journal or pad of paper will give you a place to write down what you’re experiencing. It’s up to you whether you want this to be purely about the chocolate, or if you want to use this opportunity to note what feelings you are experiencing.

Prep:

  • Identify an ideal time of day for this tasting-meditation. From a chocolate-tasting perspective you either want to do this first thing in the morning or at a time when you haven’t eaten for a few hours. From a mediative perspective, it’s best to choose a time that works for you. Meditation is very personal, so only you can determine the best time of day.
  • Decide how long you would like this tasting-meditation to last. Forty-five minutes is the ideal amount of time for a chocolate tasting but you should design this tasting-meditation so it suits your schedule and your needs.
  • Find a space that is comfortable and free of distractions.
  • Set up your space in any way you like. Place your chocolates, your journal, pen, and mug of warm water so they are within reach.
  • Clear your mind. You’re now ready for your chocolate-mediation.
Remember, this is your experience. Design it to suit your needs. Clear your mind and relax.

Directions:

  • Drink some warm water to cleanse and warm your palette.
  • Resist the urge to study your chocolate bar packaging and allow yourself to experience the chocolate for yourself (packaging often reveals what the chocolate makers want you to experience and this is about your personal experience).
  • Break off a small, almond-sized piece of chocolate (approximately 5 grams).
  • Look at the piece of chocolate.
  • Rub your finger across the piece. This releases the aroma. Experience both the feel of the chocolate and the aroma.
  • Break the piece of chocolate and take in this sensation.
  • When you’re ready, place the chocolate in your mouth and push it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Your mouth should still be warm (from the warm water) and this will allow you to fully experience the chocolate.
  • Reflect on this experience and when you’re ready, make a note of this experience in your journal. Don’t worry about using “correct” terminology. This is your experience and your meditation, use the terms that mean something to you.
  • Continue to experience this chocolate in whatever way speaks to you.
  • Cleanse your palette with some more warm water.
  • Repeat this process with each chocolate.
  • Revisit the chocolates you’d like to experience again and continue to reflect.
  • You can now take the opportunity to study the chocolate packaging, including information on taste profiles, origin, ingredients, and anything else that helps paint the picture and compare it to the notes you took in your journal.
  • Remember to take your time and enjoy the experience.

Photo Credits:

This article is not sponsored.