When Rickard's Dark Meets Nestle Noir...

Don't be selfish this Valentine's Day. It can't be about you all the time. What about planning something special for your man? Most men feel the pressure to do something unexpected for their partners on Valentine's Day so why not turn things on their head and do something special for them?

A match made in heaven: Impress your man by taking a dark beer and pair it with a dark chocolate. Rickard's Dark is a flavourful option that combines a smooth Porter taste with a hint of maple syrup. The robust flavour of the Porter will bring out the rich cocoa flavours in dark chocolate. Select a bar with anywhere from 70 90% cocoa content, just keep in mind the higher the content the more bitter the chocolate. Dark chocolate also contains theobromine which is a mild stimulant, so you can ensure your sweetheart's senses are awake for the next pairing!

Now for something sweet: Since you've experienced pairing bitter flavours and got a healthy fix of antioxidants from your dark chocolate, now move onto something sweet and sour. In keeping with the beer theme why not take a wheat beer and pair it with tangy citrus, drizzled with honey. White beers typically pair very well with citrus, in fact Rickard's White has a hint of citrus that is excellent with oranges. Honey is also a known aphrodisiac that provides the body with a natural boost of energy enough said.

Check out these heavenly darks:

• Nestlé Noir Éclat Caramel Combines 64 per cent dark chocolate with pieces of sweet crunchy caramel, and just a touch of salt to deliver a balanced combination of bitter and sweet taste

• Nestlé Noir Intense Made with 70 per cent cocoa, it delivers a rich aroma, crisp snap and smooth balanced flavour

• Nestlé Noir Éclat Noir Marries 64 per cent dark chocolate with caramelized cocoa bean pieces to deliver an intense and textured experience

• Nestlé Noir Éclat Sublime Made with 80 per cent dark chocolate, this new addition to the Noir line starts with an intense chocolate flavour and is followed by the release of subtle complex and refined aromas offering an unusually intense taste experience

• Nestlé Noir Éclat Miel Amandes Blending 54 per cent rich dark chocolate with the sweet sensation of honey drizzled roasted almonds, this new addition to the Noir line creates a palate pleasing

The main differentiating factor with Nestle Noir is that each individual wave-like shaped piece has been formed to complement the palate and optimize the zones of contact and heat transfer points in the mouth. This influences the chocolate's melting point and consequently the perceived texture as well as flavour and aroma release.

Si Si Penaloza
		About the author:
		Si Si has cultivated strong ties with editors, producers and publishers at all major Canadian media outlets. She is a seasoned print, radio and broadcast specialist. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Bowdoin College in Maine, Si Si moved to Manhattan to study Film at New York University. Her strengths lie in contextualizing relevant content for a broad audience. She's driven to stay competitive and at the top of the market - commissioning exclusive features and launching bold initiatives.
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