The Lure of the Dark Side

To dark chocolate or not to dark chocolate that is the question. Since the beginning of this chocolate experience, I realized it was time to explore the darker side of chocolate. I was always a milk chocolate kind of gal and very rarely do I opt for dark. Then and again before I started this project my most recent chocolate fix was a Twix bar (gasp). I saw a co-worker indulging in one in private and I thought to myself, man that looks good. But now, after being given sample after sample of only the best European fine chocolate and the artisan, local, organic, fair trade variety- boy, have my tastes changed. Out with the Twix bar (I am almost embarrassed I even ate this, oh the shame!) and in with a whole new world of taste and flavour combinations. Suddenly, I am looking to the dark source and asking from which cacao bean this chocolate originates. Now, I am not going to go and poo-poo on the local mars bar consumer but don’t you find yourself unsatisfied after eating one? Almost like, man I want another? After having a square of a true dark chocolate, without the preservatives and oil, you feel merely satisfied. I guess when you take out all the fillers you begin to taste the chocolate in its purist form. And let me tell you dark chocolate is where it`s at. Most recently, I met with Leyla the owner of Art Square Gallery and Café and she greeted me with a frothing Americano (sorry you don’t make friends with tea, as far as this gal is concerned.) She then left me alone for a few minutes with a plate of pistachio dark chocolate. I am hooked. I went back recently for more and to pick up some to give to my Mother for a pre-mothers day treat. And needless to say the bag didn`t last nearly two minutes. You see I grew up in a household where cheese, chocolate and fresh bread are gone before they hit the table. If there is a wheel of brie in my house, it doesn’t last long. Picture vultures and a fresh carcass. So, I was hoping there would be some pistachio dark chocolates left over but much like the brie it vanished never to be seen again. I guess I will have to visit Leyla at the Art Square Gallery and Café again for a very urgent interview (wink, wink).