*CLOSING Tasting Room mid May 2024
Please note that I’m not taking any private tasting bookings after mid May 2024 as the tasting room will close. To make a booking, please contact me directly.
Educational Chocolate TastingS
Tasting Room
I can accommodate 10-12 guests at the tasting room. If you have a larger group, we will have to have an off-site tasting.
Keep scrolling to see the various types of tastings I offer. I always recommend the Tasting 101 for your first experience as it offers a great overview.
To Make a Booking, Please Contact ME
Chocoalte Tastings
10 piece (~60 min.): 2 people ($39 pp); 3-4 ($29 pp); 5+ ($24 pp)
16 piece (~90 Min.): 2 people ($49 pp); 3-4 ($39 pp); 5+ ($34 pp)
Tax Not Included
Tasting 101
Recommended for your first tasting!
+ Tasting 101
A great start to understand the world of bean-to-bar chocolate. Available in 10 pc and 16 pc.
10 piece:
A focus on the process of chocolate making and chocolate neurogastronomy
16 piece:
A focus on the process of chocolate making, the history of chocolate, and chocolate neurogastronomy
Samples
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate. Cacao (cocoa bean) products will also be included.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
History
+ The History
Tasting 101 touches on the history of chocolate if you choose the 16 piece sampler, but in this tasting we will delve deeper into the history of chocolate through unique samples and historical information. Available in 10 peice.
Samples
Chocolate samples will include some unusual drink samples, cacao, different kinds of chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
The Process
+ The Process
We touch on the process of chocolate in the tasting 101, but here we will delve deeper. Learn details about the process of chocolate making through unique samples of various stages/types of chocolate and ingredients themselves. Available in 16 peice.
Samples
Chocolate samples will include cacao beans, some unusual chocolate (different refining times or roasts) as well as cacao/chocolate ingredients to better understand the nuances of chocolate making.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Weird & Unusual
+ Weierd & Unusual
This is only for those who are very adventerous with their foods, and enjoy new flavour experiences. Not recommended for those who are picky eaters.
You will taste chocolates with very weird and unusual profiles and ingredients (some will be plain single-origin, some will have strange ingredients added.
Samples
Chocolate samples will include various types of dark and milk chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Altered Senses
+ Altered Senses
We will analyze and enjoy chocolate through altering our sense of tastants (sweet, salty, etc.). Available in 10 pc. We will analyze the chocolates first, and then analyze them with our sense of sweetness (and others) temporarily altered.
*We will be drinking an herb available at many herbal stores, but keep in mind it is a advised not to be consumed by children, pregnant women, or those on diabetes/blood sugar medications. If you have questions please inquire.
Samples
Chocolate samples will include various types of chocolate as well as some tisanes.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Custom Theme
+ Custom Theme
Have an idea of the type of tasting you would like? Let me know and I can see if I can make that happen!
Perhaps you wish to have samples from one origin, one chocolate maker, all milk chocolate, or strange and unusual flavours for the adventerous at heart.
I'm happy to accomodate if you can. Fill out the same booking form, and put in the details in the notes section. I will let you know what I can and cannot accomodate, and offer you a breakdown of what will be included.
How will it work?
I will put together an interesting and fun tasting with the ideas that you offer. I may not be able or willing to accomodate all requests, but you are welcome to ask!
Once I have your request we will iron out the details together.
Chocolate Pairings
10 piece (~60-75 min.): 2 people ($49 pp); 3-4 ($39 pp); 5+ ($34 pp)
Tax Not Included
Tea & Chocolate
+ Tea & Chocolate
10 samples of chocolate* (5 kinds, 2 of each)
2 Types of tea poured in gongfu style (black fermented, oolong, white, pu-erh, or other)
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Cheese & Chocolate
+ Cheese & Chocolate
3 Types of cheese
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Cured Meats & Chocolate
+ Cheese & Chocolate
5 Types of cured meat
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Fruits/Veg/Nuts, & Chocolate
+ Nuts, Fruits, & Chocolate
10 samples of chocolate* (5 kinds, 2 of each)
5 samples of different dried fruits/vegetables/nuts
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Pour Over Coffee & Chocolate
Coming Soon
+ Coffee & Chocolate
10 samples of chocolate* (5 kinds, 2 of each)
2 kinds of pour over coffee
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
Weird & Unusual Pairing
+ Weird & Unusual
10 samples of chocolate* (5 kinds, 2 of each)
5 kinds of different foods (could be cheese, cured meat, dried vegetables, etc.)
Chocolate samples will include dark single origin, milk single origin, and a flavoured chocolate.
You can request types or dietary requests when you book (no dairy, no nuts, no gluten, etc).
To get an idea of the chocolate used in the tasting and for purchase, visit my virtual online shop here.
Tasting & Pairing FAQs
+ I have dietary requests. Can you accommodate?
Certainly! Keep in mind that although I can accommodate various diet requests, I cannot guarantee samples have not come in contact with nuts, dairy, gluten, alcohol, or other potential allergens.
The tasting will focus mainly on dark chocolate, which will be 100% plant-based.
You have the option to request:
- No nuts
- No dairy (non-dairy "milk" is available)
- No gluten
- No alcohol infused (chocolate does not contain actual alcohol content, but was infused with it during the process)
- Other (let me know. Such as no spicy chocolate, etc.)
These dietary requests may pertain to individuals or the whole group as per your request or the discretion of the host.
+ Who can join?
All are welcome! So long as you enjoy chocolate, and love to learn about your food. The tastings/pairings are quite educational.
Also keep in mind that you may not enjoy all the samples. Part of learning about food or fine foods is also experiencing foods that are different from your expectations. If you love to try new things and explore the world through taste, you should enjoy fine chocolate.
If you love how commercial chocolate tastes, you may not enjoy or appreciate the tasting or all the samples.
If you don't really enjoy chocolate that much, you may actually really enjoy the tasting as it will be different from the chocolate you have experienced.
If you love milk chocolate, but not dark chocolate, you may actually enjoy fine dark chocolate. If you enjoy only dark chocolate and not milk chocolate, you may actually enjoy fine milk chocolate.
+ Can someone join and not taste?
Yes, adults who wish to join in the tasting but for whatever reason not taste the chocolate are more than welcome to join at a price that is half of cost of a full admission.
The reason it is not free is that the cost does not simply include the samples, but the entire educational experience. I also ask that the person paying half-price does not share with those who purchased a full priced admission as samples are designed for one person and sharing can reduce the experience as there isn't enough chocolate to analyze.
+ Where are you located?
The tasting room is located in beautiful Salmon Arm, British Columbia, which is about a 5 hour drive North East of Vancouver, 1 hour drive East of Kamloops, or a 1.5 hour drive North of Kelowna.
It is located at 271 Ross Street NE, which is right in downtown Salmon Arm. It is located between a pet store and pharmacy, with plenty of parking around, including a public parking lot across the street.
If driving from out of town, please ensure you arrive early and take into consideration any delays due to weather, traffic, construction, and so on.
+ Who is the host?
My name is Geoseph, and I have been dedicated to fine chocolate since at least 2008. I have worked in the industry for over 15 years, including as a chocolate sommelier, master chocolatier, bean-to-bar chocolate maker, and instructor.
I hate talking about myself, so to learn more please visit my about page.
+ How do I pay for the tasting?
After you make your booking, I will iron out the details with you via email, and send you an e-invoice via email. You can very easily and securely pay the e-invoice via any major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, etc.).
+ Can the duration be adjusted?
Yes! Please let me know why and what time frame you prefer when you make your booking.
+ How many people can we have?
The tasting room can fit up to 10 comfortably, but 12 can also fit.
It's usually good to have at least 4 or more people as it improves the dynamic of the tasting session, and helpful to hear of everyone's different input.
However, couples are welcome as well! If you are visiting Salmon Arm, and wish to do something fun and delicious, please feel welcome to book. It will be like hiring your own professional chocolate sommelier.
+ Can children join?
Couples with children are welcome as well, so long as the children don't mind sitting 1.5 hours! The tasting and my presentation is not stiff, but also not catered to children.
Parents are welcome to bring their children, especially if you are visiting and wish to have a fun family experience!
Just be aware that younger children may not be as entertained, but this is up to your discretion as a parent.
+ Can we purchase chocolate bars after the tasting?
Of course! I have an array of fine chocolate bars, books and tasting tools, and other products available for purchase after the tasting.
If you wish to have an idea of what is available, please visit the online shop on my other website, Bean To Bar World - a virtual chocolate website. You can order from there, or you can purchase them here after your tasting.
You can pay via credit card on-site. I don't not carry change for cash, so exact cash would be required.