I suppose I could start this post by examining the historical origins of Chocolate. Where it came from. Or how the word “chocolate” is derived from the Classical Nahuatl word xocolātl (which means “bitter water”). Perhaps investigate why, despite knowing it entered the English language from Spanish, we have absolutely no idea how or when it came into Spanish at all. But I’m not going to. Instead, I’d like to talk about how we eat chocolate. Isn’t that a much more delicious topic?
Does a word exists which accurately describes the way we eat chocolate?
I’ve personally witnessed chocolate-consuming acts involving an initial sniff, tentative licks, a gingerly executed bite followed by a complete devouring. A process yielding grunts, groans and sighs in abundance. Indeed, we’ve all been there at least once in our exploration of that creamy delight. And then, there are those who partake of chocolates with mechanical precision – bar by bar, cube by cube, with little or no emotion whatsoever. I find that odd but perhaps they prefer to compartmentalise their feelings, saving them for private moments later. Who am I to judge a fellow fan of the cocoa treat?
Generally speaking, we crunch. We chew (sacrilegious). We suck. Some of us marry a few styles into a single gulp. I know, I live with a man who does just that. Yet no one of those terms accurately describes what transpires once we pop these confections into our mouths, no matter if our poison lies in dark or white or liqueur-infused. Personally, I begin by carefully nibbling a teeny morsel then slowly swirling it around my mouth as it melts, enjoying each short-lived moment. I suppose you could say I enjoy my chocolates like a sommelier would introduce a new year to his taste memory.
Would I describe it as savouring? Or tongue-feeling? Or mouth-rolling? I don’t know, I don’t know. I do know that I’m curious to find out how you eat your chocolates. How would you describe the entire endeavour?
I also know with dead certainty that eating more chocolates won’t bring me any closer to describing just how I eat them, but that’s not about to stop me from popping a little white bonbon into my mouth. Right. Now.
Love, Sheela
p/s Happy International Chocolate Day!!
Sheela Goh 