Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Choosing Decadent Champagne Chocolate Truffles

By Tanisha Berg


Today there are many versions of the truffle but they are commonly filled with ganache. This ganache is by heating cream and pouring it over chopped chocolate. Champagne chocolate truffles have the alcohol infused into the creamy ganache center. These luxury treats are often given as gifts on special occasions.

According to legend, the first truffle was made quite by accident. An apprentice working in the kitchen of a top French chef poured hot cream into a bowl filled with chunks of chocolate instead of one filled with beaten eggs. He found that once the mixture became harder he could make it into a ball. On coating it with cocoa powder, he saw that it resembled the black fungus precious to the French and it was called by the same name.

The type of chocolate used in making the truffle can produce very different tastes. Sometimes this is a combination of bitter and sweet with a bitter center and a sweet coating. Other products are extremely sweet, appealing to those with a very sweet tooth. A dark, bitter variety appeals more to those without such a sweet tooth and is often served after dinner with coffee.

Once again, the cream can be used as a way to moderate the sweetness or the sweetness may be intensified by the type used. Some people even substitute condensed milk for the cream or use a mixture of butter and cream for richness. Of course there are also varieties suited to those who prefer less fat.

Originally, the truffle was simply coated in cocoa powder and many people still use this coating today. However, they are also experimenting with many different coatings, even ones that offer an extreme taste contrast like paprika or peppercorns. Icing sugar, sprinkles or chopped nuts are commonly used. A tempered coating is used for a more elegant appearance and when bitten into, gives a lovely crackle, contrasting with the soft interior.

When making a choice the type and quantity of alcohol is another consideration. Some people only want a mild flavor while other people want to taste more alcohol. A number of different kinds of alcohol such as cognac and brandy as well as liqueurs like Cointreau or Kahlua go well with a truffle. However, champagne provides a subtle taste preferred by many people. When the smooth creamy center is infused with just enough the flavor can be recognized but it does not overpower the other ingredients.

Tasting a sample provided by a store or requested from a website is the best way to determine whether the product is suitable. Trying out a particular product before giving it as a gift helps to ensure it suits the tastes of the person to whom it is given. A very sweet variety with plenty of alcohol will not be appreciated by someone who has more bitter, subtle tastes.

A mass produced product found in a supermarket will not be the same as one purchased from a reputable chocolatier. When giving gifts, one wants them to be special and today there are many chocolatiers offering their quality products online. The way they are made and the attractive presentation in elegant boxes ensures that they will be much appreciated when given as gifts on special occasions.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment