Choosing Delicious Champagne Chocolate Truffles

By Tanisha Berg


The original French truffle was a ganache ball covered in cocoa. Today, a truffle is still known by its ganache center but many different ingredients are used and these treats come in a variety of shapes. There are many companies making quality products and these make wonderful gifts. Champagne chocolate truffles are a luxury treat often bought to celebrate a romantic occasion.

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.

One of the most important components of a truffle is the type of chocolate used. The type chosen depends very much on personal taste but it is usually dark and plain. Some people prefer a bitter taste while others like a mixture of semi-sweet and bitter. Arguably the extra dark chocolates are more appropriate for after dinner or as something to serve with coffee.

The cream has a moderating effect on the sweetness of the truffle and gives a delectable richness. Some versions are being produced today where the cream is replaced with anything from condensed milk to a combination of whipping cream and butter. Again, choice depends on individual taste and how much sweetness is desired.

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.

The alcohol used in a truffle varies in strength and quantity. Some people really like a hit of alcohol whilst others prefer a more subtle taste that does not overpower the other ingredients. Champagnes offer this more subtle taste. They are associated with celebration and having a little taste in the center of such a treat transforms it into a wonderful treat for a really special occasion.

It is often possible to taste a sample in a store or request one from a company website. If this is not possible reading online reviews can be helpful to find out what other people thought of the taste of a particular product. Of course one can also place a small order for oneself to gauge quality before giving it as a gift to others. A gift like this is perfect for a romantic occasion and in fact any other special occasion.

The quality of ingredients used is important and this is why mass produced products using inferior ingredients are often disappointing. A company producing only these types of products usually uses the best ingredients and also package their products most attractively. When buying from such a company, one can be confident of purchasing something that will taste wonderful and be much appreciated by the recipient.




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