Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate should be kept in a cool, dark place. That’s just the sort of secret closet where I’d hide to eat it. But, chocolate tastings are the new wine tasting, and the company has tips on how to make yours the talk of the season. Sometimes it’s difficult to share chocolate, but I did. From this line, I especially enjoyed the Ginger, Espresso and Maya Gold.

Tips for Hosting an At-Home Chocolate Tasting

• Allow two squares per person

• Like a wine tasting, begin with looking at the appearance, examine the smell, taste the chocolate.

• Limit yourself to about six different chocolate varieties and begin with the lightest variety and finish with the darkest: White, Milk, Caramel, Cherry and Dark.

• Place the first piece of chocolate in your mouth and pinch your nose. As you are doing this your tongue will be able to detect only flavor (salt, sweet, sour, bitter, savory) and sensations and textures (including astringency and the cooling effect of the cocoa butter)

• Allow the chocolate to melt, release your thumb and forefinger and breathe in deeply

• You are now experiencing the intense aromas, usually mistaken as flavor (This is because these volatiles are all detected by your olfactory gland behind and connected to your nose)

Learn more at www.greenandblacks.com.

Mexican Caviar

Let Tabasco help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Caviar, a colorful combination of black beans, corn, tomatoes and avocado. Use it as a side salad or chip dip.

Mexican Caviar