Cocoa has over 600 aroma compounds, which is why its taste is so complex. This diversity allows chocolatiers to create products with different flavors depending on where the cocoa comes from and how it is processed. Trade network "RimiEglė Krasauskienė, head of public relations and corporate responsibility, says that it is important to use all the senses when tasting chocolate - this is how the taste of the sweet is best revealed. In addition, she reminds that it can be enjoyed cheaper this week: until November 18. even up to 30 percent applies to certain chocolate products. discount when purchasing with the "Mano Rimi" loyalty card.
How to taste chocolate?
Eglė Krasauskienė, head of public relations and corporate responsibility of the Rimi retail chain, says that it is important to use all the senses when tasting chocolate. Quality chocolate should be shiny, and when you break it, you should hear a clear click, but most importantly, it should melt in your mouth.
"When tasting it, you should use all your senses: sight, smell, touch and taste. First, after breaking off a piece of chocolate, it is worth paying attention to its shine and smooth surface, and then smell it. In the aroma, you can feel notes of cocoa, nuts, berries or spices, which give chocolate its unique character. Then you can put a piece of chocolate in your mouth, slowly let it melt on your tongue, feel its texture and individual flavor notes that are revealed when the chocolate starts to warm and melt. Bitterness or acidity can be felt in the first bites, and later layers of sweetness and creamy aftertaste are revealed", says E. Krasauskienė.
Best kept in a dry place
The expert advises to keep the chocolate in a dry place, out of direct sunlight, so that it retains its taste and texture. Also, after opening the package, it is best to keep the chocolate in a sealed container - this protects it from light, extraneous odors and pests that may appear in the household.
"It's also important to avoid storing chocolate in the fridge, as the sugar starts to crystallize in moist conditions and visible white spots can appear on the surface." Such stains can also occur due to sudden changes in temperature, when the cocoa butter is released due to the heat. Although such surface changes may look unattractive, they do not affect the taste or quality of the chocolate, and the product remains suitable for consumption", notes E. Krasauskienė.
She adds that chocolate always has an expiration date on the product packaging: dark chocolate, for example, can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months, making it perfect for stockpiling.
“However, other types of chocolate, especially those containing herbal additives or other additional ingredients, tend to have a shorter shelf life. For this reason, it is recommended to check the expiration date before use," the expert points out.
What kind of chocolate do customers like?
E. Krasauskienė notes that although buyers usually choose dark chocolate, milk chocolate remains no less popular. Meanwhile, pink ("Ruby") or white chocolate is purchased less often.
"We notice that our customers are not only looking for high-quality dark chocolate on store shelves, but also candies with various fillings, such as pistachios or champagne-flavored notes. Also, buyers especially appreciate chocolate with various nuts, fruits and berries - such flavor combinations are considered rich and enrich the experience of tasting sweets.
In addition, more and more customers are discovering gourmet, even exotic flavors such as chocolate with pepper, green tea, lavender, hemp seeds or rose petals. Interest in vegan and organic raw chocolate is also growing rapidly, and products with less sugar are becoming more popular - more and more buyers are choosing healthier options for sweets," the head of public relations and corporate responsibility of the shopping chain names the trends.
Buyers' attention to private line products
E. Krasauskienė also notices the tendency that buyers, when choosing chocolate and other products, often pay attention to the goods of the "Rimi" private line.
For those who want to discover exceptional flavors, she recommends choosing "Selection by Rimi" products: products marked with this mark are made from carefully selected, high-quality ingredients, which, with the help of traditional recipes from various countries, acquire unique taste characteristics.
"Also, buyers looking for exotic flavors should pay attention to the Rimi Planet brand. These products offer an opportunity to get to know the cuisines of different regions of the world, from Asia and Mexico to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. And for buyers who choose organic products, the "I love eco" brand offers a wide range, which is constantly being expanded with new products. The products of this brand are characterized by a sustainable production method, high quality and excellent taste. "I love eco" aims to show that organic and healthy food can be delicious and accessible to everyone," says E. Krasauskienė.
The expert of the retail network reminds that you can enjoy chocolate cheaper this week: until November 18. 7% applies to 200 types of chocolate "Pergalė" (30 g). discount, so it will cost 3,49 EUR. In addition, chocolate or candy "Geisha" (11 types) will also be available at a lower price - up to 30% discount applies to this product. discount 9 types of Lindt chocolate are also cheaper - 20% off. discount
"Also, we invite you to celebrate Rimi's 27th birthday together with Rimi's private label products now through November 18th." can be purchased at a super price. The selection of private label "Rimi" and "Rimi Smart" products, stock tracking, accurate shopping cart planning and the "Mano Rimi" loyalty program, which provides personal offers and additional discounts, will also help you buy other products cheaper. And all "Rimi" offers that help you save can be found in several places: after logging into your account at www.rimi.lt, as well as in the app on your phone or at the "Mano Rimi" card terminal in stores," advises E. Krasauskienė.
Try this year's Michelin guide restaurant "Pace" chef Goda Juknaitė's recipe - you can make a chocolate cake with a wonderful texture, wet, with a crispy crust and melting in your mouth.
RECIPE
Flourless chocolate cake
For the cake you will need:
- 250 g of dark chocolate;
- 115 g of Rimi Smart butter;
- 5 pcs. large eggs "Rimi Smart";
- 100 g of Rimi Smart sugar;
- 2 v. sh. cocoa "Rimi Smart".
- Salts.
Production process:
- Preheat the oven to 160 °C.
- With the help of a steam bath, melt the butter together with the broken chocolate in a bowl.
- Allowing the chocolate mass to cool, we beat the separated egg whites together with the sugar in a separate bowl. We beat until the texture of morels, so that they do not move when the bowl is turned over.
- Mix all the egg yolks into the chocolate base. Mix cocoa with a pinch of salt.
- Carefully and gently mix the whipped whites into the chocolate base.
- We pour it into a tin with burnt butter paper.
- We bake for 45 minutes. After cooling, sprinkle with cocoa powder. You can taste it with strawberries, ice cream or whipped cream.
