Indulging the chocolate experience

Experience chocolate and discover the difference among Euphoric Indulgence, Sweet Serenity, Pure Rapture, and Chocolate for the Vine. Okay, now you've got our attention! Chocolate is a favorite for the holidays, especially gourmet chocolates from around the world. Experience: Chocolate, Boston, has created what it calls "Tasting Experiences"--boxed collections of tasting squares that are selected based on the origin of the cocoa beans, cocoa content, and manufacturing process. (Chocolate, by the way, is made from the fruit of the Cacao tree, a fragile plant that needs constant warmth and rainfall but no direct sunlight--and only can be found 20[degrees] north or south of the equator.)

These chocolate tasting squares are designed to satisfy the desire of an experienced gourmet or pique the interest of a casual taster. Piquing our interest right away was Chocolate for the Vine? After all, who wouldn't want to know which chocolates go with what wines? Euphoric Indulgence, meanwhile, invites the taster to capture the experience of chocolate exhilaration with a collection of semisweet and bittersweet chocolates that showcase a range of cocoa contents and bean blends. Sweet Serenity places the emphasis on milk chocolate. Here, the focus is on smoothness and satisfaction. Pure Rapture boats varietal, single origin, or estate grown chocolate. How do they all taste? The phrase "blissful ecstasy" comes to mind.

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There are 20 tasting squares in each 5.5 oz box. Pure Rapture is $34.99; the rest, $24.99. For more information, including details about joining a Chocolate Tasting Club or attending (or hosting) Formal Chocolate Tastings, go to www.experiencechocolate.com.

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