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Chocolate tasting with Jennifer Earle

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An Afternoon of Chocolate Tasting & Conversation with Jennifer Earle

Riverstone Living recently welcomed guests to a delightful Chocolate Truffle tasting event – an intimate, sensory gathering hosted in our Bishops Avenue Marketing Suite, led by cocoa connoisseur Jennifer Earle. This was not only an evening of indulgence, but a broader commitment to a life well lived – rich in experience, community, and purpose.

The tasting was a reflection of the very essence of what life at Riverstone Living really looks like – with thoughtfully curated events led by industry experts, residents can enjoy a lifestyle defined by inspiration and engagement week in and week out.

A Cacao Tea Prelude & The Art of Tasting

Sat around a gorgeous table, our chocolate aficionados introduced themselves over a serving of cacao tea intended to prep the palate – first served neat, and then with a splash of milk to discover how the tasting notes transform.

With her deep expertise, Jennifer explained how to fully appreciate the chocolate’s layers and notes. She explained a three-step approach which allows you to truly capture the flavours: letting the chocolate reach body temperature upon first bite, chewing for a few seconds, and allowing it to then melt in the mouth to release its different notes before swallowing. Jennifer also emphasised the importance of palate cleansing between samples using warm water, as the cocoa melts around body temperature and this is the most efficient way to get rid of any lingering notes which may affect subsequent tasting.

The Truffle Line-Up

Throughout the afternoon, we had a line-up of ten exquisitely crafted truffles from three selected chocolatiers. It was a mystery tasting where guests were encouraged to guess the flavours before Jennifer revealed them. Each round sparked enthusiastic chatter about texture, aroma and notes.

1. Cacao nibs – pure
2. 73% dark chocolate bar – intense, nuanced, rich
3. Dark chocolate, cherry & tonka bean filling – aromatic, spicy
4. Dark chocolate, lime & fresh garden mint gel – sharp, refreshing
5. Thick dark chocolate shell, coffee ganache filling – bold and bittersweet
6. White chocolate ganache, salted pistachio & hazelnut filling – soft, sweet
7. Milk chocolate, saffron & rose filling – sweet & earthy.
8. Dark chocolate, candy garnish, rose ganache filling – a nod to the late Queens favourite truffle.
9. Passionfruit & guava chocolate – tropical, tangy.
10. White chocolate, champagne & wild strawberry filling – sweet, indulgent

The Craft of Chocolate Making

Jennifer described the painstaking craft behind each truffle: sourcing single‑origin beans, roasting to accentuate their profiles, and mastering ganache emulsions for combinations and smoothness. Her insider anecdotes (for instance, how tonka bean lends vanilla like warmth with an earthy undercurrent) deepened our appreciation for the artistry at hand.

The End Note:

The event was a hit; guests ended the afternoon in an elevated mood and noted how a simple tasting had woven warm connections and new insights. Jennifer closed the session on a wonderful note with further chocolatier recommendations and encouraged continued tasting rituals at home. We look forward to welcoming guests to future events, where the aim is always to bring people together for exploring, learning, and savouring each moment.

Try At Home:

To recreate the experience at home:

  • Start with a single‑origin dark chocolate (70 – 75 %); let it melt against your tongue for 20 seconds. Jennifer recommends the 73% chocolate thins from Firetree.
  • Then try a filled truffle—note the contrast in texture and flavour release. Jennifer recommends the Cherry & Tonka Truffle by London Chocolate and the Salted Pistachio Praline by The Chocolatier.
  • Sip warm water between bites.
  • Reflect: what flavour layers emerge first? How does the texture evolve?

That mindful rhythm of tasting is as telling as it is delicious.

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Chocolate tasting with Jennifer Earle

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