catching up, part 2

A while ago I went to a chocolate party at Vosges Haut Chocolat, a boutique chocolate shop in SoHo. It was a launch party for their new line of chocolates - the Groove Collection. "The Vosges Haut-Chocolat mission is to create a luxury chocolate experience rooted in a sensory journey of bringing about awareness to indigenous cultures through the exploration of spices, herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, nuts, chocolate and the obscure." The creator draws inspiration from her travels, interests in art and music. I think it is a brilliant idea! She uses high quality chocolate, as well as organic and high quality other ingredients.

The Groove Collection is a "study of the African-American influence on America's musical history through chocolate, story and song." At the party they offered truffles, toffee and cocktails. They had a dj spinning and a book signing from the Sistahs of Harlem. That evening I tried all the truffles, met a few nice people and had a yummy Pimm's cocktail. I also decided to buy the Groove Collection box of truffles so I could enjoy them again... and to share them with you.

Here are a few of my favorites...
bebop: middle eastern sumac + fresh mint + sumac powder + dark chocolate (65% cacao)
Sumac is a tart, red berry. The truffle had a fresh minty, lemony flavor.

New Orleans jazz: cafe du monde chicory coffee + dark chocolate (66% cacao)
Chicory is the root of a wild flower, Cichorium Intybu. "During the Civil War just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, a new breed of coffee emerged. This dark, thick brew was punctuated by bitter and tannic undertones..." I think that one of the best pairings is coffee and chocolate, this truffle didn't disappoint!

rock 'n' roll: south american tobacco smoked milk chocolate (41% cacao) + clove powder
The chocolate was actually smoked to give it the essence of tobacco and the clove powder added that extra little punch!
rap: horseradish + lemon zest + praline + cocoa nibs + dark chocolate (65% cacao)
And unusual combination, but not overpowering... spicy, fresh and sweet.
I finished most of them... here's what was left over...