Sensory games for fun chocolate tasting

A chocolate memory game: have fun while you taste!

Memory is an extremely simple and enjoyable game that can be played by everyone, whatever their age or level of tasting expertise. Not only does it stimulate memory, it also allows you to discover the world of chocolate from a unique sensory angle. The idea is simple: playfully match pairs of chocolates, while honing your taste and olfactory skills. In this way, chocolate becomes a material for sensory exploration, much more than a simple delicacy.

Why choose chocolate for a memory game?

Chocolate is a noble, complex material, and each variety has its own aromas and textures. Whether dark, milk or white, each square hides a palette of flavors waiting to be explored. The Chocolate Memory Game allows you to fully immerse yourself in this world, while having fun and developing your palate. This game is perfect for anyone who loves chocolate and wants to perfect their tasting skills while having fun.

How to organize a chocolate memory game?

To start your game, all you need are a few simple ingredients and carefully selected chocolates. For example, you can choose an assortment of chocolate squares with different flavors and textures. One of the best choices to get you started is the 50-square “Les initiés” dark & milk box. This box contains a wide variety of chocolates, perfect for starting out and experimenting with different taste profiles.

Once you've got the box, you can make the game even more interesting by opting for dark chocolates only, like those offered in the 50 carrés de chocolats noir “Les intenses” box. This will add an extra aspect of challenge and help you perfect your ability to differentiate the subtle nuances of each dark chocolate.

You can find these chocolate boxes on the Valrhona Collection online boutique or at the Valrhona boutique in Tain l'Hermitage (Drôme).

What you need

1.     A variety of chocolates: Depending on the desired level of difficulty, you can choose different types of chocolate (dark, milk, etc.), but also opt for variations on the origin of the beans or specific flavors (red fruits, spices, etc.).
2.     A place to play: Set up around a table or in a quiet area. Make sure you have enough room to arrange the chocolates without anyone noticing them.
3.     Pieces of gold paper: To make the chocolates unrecognizable, remove their original packaging and replace it with gold paper, so that the game relies solely on the senses of memory and tasting.

The rules of the chocolate memory game

1. Chocolate preparation: Select 3 to 4 different types of chocolate. Take two squares of each type. Remove the original packaging, leaving only the gold foil on each chocolate.
2. Arrange the chocolates randomly on the table, making sure they are well spaced out and not identifiable by the shape or color of their packaging.
3. Flow of the game: The aim of the game is to find the identical pairs of chocolates. Each player in turn turns over two chocolates. They must then be tasted to determine whether they are the same chocolate. If so, the player keeps them and eats them immediately. If the chocolates don't match, they must be returned to their original position, and it's the next player's turn.
4. The extra challenge: If you have any doubts during tasting, or if you're not sure you've found the right pair, you can skip your turn. You can also go back to a previously tasted pair if you're brave enough!
5. End of game: The game ends once all the chocolate pairs have been found and tasted. The player who has identified the most pairs wins the game.

Sensory games, such as this chocolate memory game, make the tasting experience much more interactive and fun. By playing this game, you'll begin to hone your ability to identify tastes and textures, as well as memorizing important information about each chocolate you taste.

Exploring chocolate aromas: a complementary sensory game

If you like the chocolate memory experience, why not add a sensory game based on identifying chocolate aromas? Chocolate has a wide variety of aromas. Sometimes, it can be difficult to distinguish them unless you concentrate fully on each nuance. Here are some tips to improve your ability to identify chocolate aromas:

1.     Select aromas: Choose different basic aromas present in chocolate, such as vanilla, cinnamon, caramel or coffee. You can also choose more subtle flavors such as fruit, hazelnut or tobacco. More complex aromas like tonka bean or hay notes can be a real surprise in chocolate.

2. Using jars or sachets: For each chosen flavoring, place it in a separate jar or sachet. The aim is to smell each jar or sachet with your eyes closed, then taste a piece of chocolate. The idea is to try to find the identified aromas in the tasted chocolate.

3. Retro-olfaction: To fully appreciate the aromas of chocolate, retro-olfaction is a key method. By taking a deep breath after tasting a piece of chocolate, you can better perceive the aromas released in the mouth, helping you to refine your sensory experience. This will enable you to better distinguish the subtle aromas of chocolate.

4. Using an aroma recognition kit: Some kits, such as those used by professional tasters, contain vials of specific aromas to help refine your palate. You may be surprised by the diversity of aromas and their associations in the chocolat.

Flavor recognition games

In addition to recognizing aromas, it's also important to develop your ability to identify flavors in chocolate. Chocolate can be salty, sweet, sour, bitter, or even umami, and knowing how to distinguish between them is essential for a complete tasting experience.

Examples of sensory games based on flavours:

Recognition game: Taste each chocolate and try to guess the main flavour. Write down your impressions on a piece of paper, then compare them with the actual flavors of each chocolate.

Comparison game: Take two different chocolates and taste and compare them. Try to spot the differences and describe the unique flavors of each chocolate.

Blind tasting game: Ask a friend to prepare several samples of chocolate for you, without you knowing which ones. Taste each chocolate, trying to guess the flavor and type.

Sensory games, from chocolate memory to aroma and flavor recognition, greatly enhance the chocolate tasting experience. Not only will you learn to better appreciate the subtleties of chocolates, but you'll also have a great time with family and friends. If you want to go even further, why not take part in tasting workshops organized by professionals, such as those offered at the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona? You'll discover the secrets of chocolate tasting and refine your palate to recognize all the nuances of chocolate. In short, with these sensory games, you're not just eating chocolate, you're exploring a real taste journey! Make the most of it and have fun discovering new flavors as you play.