Forum Activity for @Corinne C. DeBra

How much chocolate do you eat per day, on average?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

I eat a little more than 1 oz. a day -- it doesn't take much to feel satisfied with really great chocolate. One pound a day would be too much for me to really enjoy. My cacao excess if of a different sort. I've been eating a different kind of chocolate every day, for over five years -- about 120 pounds in all. I estimate that by end of April 2012, I will have eaten my body weight in chocolate. Strange but true. And yummy too.

Thanks to you all the great chocolate makers out there.

Corinne ( www.chocolatebanquet.com )

How Are You Making These Holidays Special with Chocolate?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

For those on the (U.S.) East Coast, I'm sure Spring (this Saturday, March 20) can't come soon enough this year. I've been spending the last week of Winter (out here in California, where it's been merely wet, and not so cold) celebrating St. Patrick's Day/Green Week on my chocolate blog. There are so many ways to celebrate when it comes to chocolate. http://chocolatebanquet.blogspot.com Please do send ideas for theme weeks; I will try to cover if I haven't already.Regards, Corinne D.

Weird Flavors and Inclusions in Chocolate

Posted in: Tasting Notes

My ChocolateBanquet.com spreadsheet of flavors combined (purchased, made, tasted) with chocolate, now tops 300. In the hands of a true artist, almost anything can work -- even smoked salmon or anchovies (Modern Dwellers Choc. Lounge, in Anchorage AK). I've only come across one item I couldn't finish -chocolate covered insects, although I've been told I picked the wrong insect chocolate. Maybe when I'm feeling adventurous again I'll try chocolate covered ants. Yes, I love Zotter's sense of adventure (blue cheese, grapes). The camel milk chocs. aren't bad, no gamey flavor; but I don't care as much for sweet, milk chocolates (no matter what type of milk). Fun to hear what others are tasting.

What are your favorite adult beverages to pair with chocolates?

Posted in: Tasting Notes

Short answer: bourbon and single malt scotch, in that order- Kentucky bourbon chocolates (great base for a winter hot milk/chocolate beverage), from Louisville, KY- Devil in an Apron's Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon, from CA- BonBonBar's single malt scotch candy bar is not bad either, from Los Angeles, CAI can't eat wheat/gluten/malt - so beer and ale & chocolate is out, except for the rare gluten-free versions of beer I can find. However, I am planning to make some wheat-free brownies with gluten-free beer this weekend (in a solar cooker no less). We'll see how they turn out.Cheers,Corinne