Knowing a Good Chocolate Truffle when You Taste it.
Distinguishing a good chocolate truffle from one that isn’t, is partially a matter of personal taste for the brand and type of chocolate; then you must consider the quality and freshness of the ingredients and proper preparation. The addition of other ingredients changes how you might experience the truffle, for example a truffle with chopped nuts or cocoa nibs through-out, won’t exhibit a smooth texture. For truffles made with wine, or espresso, nuts, fruits, spices, or any other ingredients, the truffle should be a pleasing blend of flavors that accent the chocolate without overpowering the chocolate, be it dark, semi or bitter sweet, milk or white chocolate. Let’s evaluate a plain chocolate truffle.
Biting into truffle releases the aroma as you breathe in the chocolate. Your teeth easily break through the outer coat of dipped chocolate with a slight snap, easing through the inner smooth, fudgy, and creamy core of the truffle. The ganache (the truffle mixture) should readily begin to melt in the warmth of your mouth. The silky flavor fills your mouth and tickles your taste buds with sweet and bitter all at once. The clear, clean flavor of chocolate has just enough vanilla to accentuate the full flavor of chocolate, though you can’t quite discern the vanilla. It is just the perfect amount of sweetness, for you. It is the “perfect storm” of flavor.
