Coffee and Chocolate: a Winning Combo

Both come from the seeds of tropical plants, both contain caffeine that keeps our energy levels up and, together, they increase our concentration: we’re talking about coffee and chocolate, a winning combo in every sense, especially flavour.

Chocolate before or after coffee?

In higher-end cafés, coffee is often served with a glass of water and a chocolate, which poses its own slight dilemma: is it better to eat the chocolate before or after your coffee? And what about the water?

Although there are many theories about this, etiquette clearly dictates that you should:

Drink the water first, to cleanse your mouth and eliminate the taste of your meal;

Then eat your chocolate: eating the chocolate first allows you to savour the aroma of the coffee and makes it more persistent. Also, by eating the chocolate first, you won’t need to add sugar to your espresso/coffee.

Then sip your—strictly bitter—coffee;

Pairing dark chocolate and coffee

There are pairings with chocolate that you’ll never forget once you try them, and coffee is one of the most irresistible. It's no coincidence that one of Venchi's most popular products is the 60% dark chocolate bar with coffee filling: a delicious ganache containing no less than 7 different coffee blends, encased in dark chocolate.

The pairing of coffee and dark chocolate is so well-established and popular that it even works as a substitute for dessert when, for example, you have guests over unexpectedly and don't have time to make a fancy dessert. Offering your guests a nice cup of coffee and a dark chocolate at the end of the meal will be much appreciated!

Chocolates to enjoy with coffee

Although each region has its own traditions, in our country coffee is a cherished and celebrated ritual. In the main Venchi boutiques, this daily ritual is even more special thanks to the selection of special gourmet coffees to explore, which transform simple breaks into a moment of pure bliss.

Even at home, you can make your espresso/coffee break even better by pairing it with chocolate that enhances the taste and leaves a unique sensation on the palate.

While dark chocolate is the quintessential option with coffee, here are some tips for more original combinations:

The chocolate you pair with your mid-morning coffee—which is often more intense and with a full-bodied blend—must be able to offset the bitterness of the coffee, just like our white chocolate cube, whose sweetness lingers throughout the day.
Later in the afternoon, however, you should choose a milder Arabica to pair with milk chocolate like our Granblend Venezuela, whose notes of dry fruits and red berries make it the perfect substitute for a snack.
Coffee lovers often opt for a cup of decaf after dinner: why not bring a touch of sweetness by pairing it with the iconic Cremino 1878? Those with a sweet tooth can put it in the bottom of their cup and let it melt into the coffee, creating a deliciously creamy texture.

The coffee-and-chocolate pairing is one we can enjoy when we’re out and about too thanks to coffee-flavoured chocolates: our Espresso Coffee and Cappuccino chocolates, for example, combine the intensity of coffee with the delicious flavour of fine chocolate, making them the perfect ready-to-eat energy boost.

Coffee and cocoa

The winning combination of chocolate and coffee is also demonstrated by some of our most renowned traditional desserts: the first, of course, is tiramisù, which Venchi pays homage to with the Tiramisù, a soft individual chocolate with alternating layers of coffee and mascarpone paste, finished with cocoa.

Less famous but just as tasty, however, is a variant of the typical Piedmontese dessert “Bonet”, where rum is replaced by coffee, which, together with the cocoa, transforms a traditional dessert into a snack you can eat any time of day.

Finally, those who simply won’t go without those little indulgences can dust their coffee with some bitter cocoa: quite often, the simplest solutions are also the most delicious!