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Hot or Not: Herbs With Chocolate?

It started with a Pierre Marcolini chocolate. Two weeks ago, we tried his dark chocolate ganache infused with thyme and orange peels. And though the idea seemed strange, it really worked – the chocolate and orange brought out the herb's sweetness. We nibbled slowly, wondering, "What is that flavor?"

Then, at a party over the weekend, our host had set out homemade bread with a variety of jams and dips. A bowl of basil walnut pesto sat next to a chunky chocolate hazelnut spread. Before we knew what we were doing, we spooned each one on a slice of bread, then ate up the middle, delighting at the mixture of flavors.

But when we eagerly recommended the experiment to our fellow party-goers, they turned up their noses, pronouncing the combination strange.

Some herb-infused desserts to inspire you:

• Vanilla Basil Ice Cream with Chopped Valhrona Chocolate
• Basil or Mint Sorbet
• Yogurt Cake with Rosemary and Orange

(Photos by Nina Callaway)

Comments (11)

I've tried (and loved!) chocolate made with bacon, as well as chocolate cheese truffles. I don't know if I could combine pesto and nutella right off the bat - but herb-infused truffles and the like would be divine!

posted by Kathryn on 2008-03-12 09:55:19
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Dagoba makes a mint chocolate bar with just enough rosemary to sing - a KILLER combination. I approve of herbs and chocolate entirely. Heck, I often spice my black beans with oregano and cocoa, in an approximation of a lazy gringa mole'. NOM NOM NOM.

posted by Nora Rocket on 2008-03-12 10:00:16
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I love basil-chocolate ice cream so it makes sense to me!

posted by rachel on 2008-03-12 10:23:24
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Mint and chocolate is a classic combo, and chocolate and lavendar is becoming more popular, too! I'd definitely at least try new combos.

posted by OneWallKitchen on 2008-03-12 11:23:54
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Dark chocolate with lavender! I think I tried the Dagoba version. A coworker shared a bar the other day. Looks like I need to look into that mint chocolate with rosemary!

posted by squidlette on 2008-03-12 13:18:40
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I had an artisan bar of Earl Grey Chocolate, and let me tell you, that Bergamot that came in just at the end was divine. YUM for Chocolate and herbs!

posted by emilyandharry on 2008-03-12 13:45:39
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i just have to second the earlier mentions of dagoba. that shit is revolutionizing chocolate. or, at least, it's revolutionizing my love of chocolate. om nom nom, indeed.

posted by katiebug on 2008-03-12 14:25:08
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last week i bought a lime and basil dark chocolate artisan bar from rococo and loved it. the basil was pretty subtle, but i thought it was just the right amount. i've also had the bacon chocolate (mo's bacon bar from vosges) several times, and it's one of my favorites of the specialty chocolate bars that i've tried. i think that's more about the smoked salt they use than the bacon pieces, though.

posted by bokeh on 2008-03-12 16:23:19
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Theo (http://www.theochocolate.com/) makes truffles using fresh ingredients, and they have a number of herbed truffles at any one time. I find most mint & chocolate combos meh, but Theo's is fantastic.

posted by ami on 2008-03-12 16:52:45
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My favourites are milk chocolate corriander lime / lemon thyme / coffee cardamom / and rosemary - local store in Toronto http://www.jsbonbons.com/

posted by peacelily on 2008-03-12 22:47:40
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I first had this type of chocolate at Joel Durand in Rennes, and I think they are terrific.

I see them for sale on the web here.

posted by Jeri Dansky on 2008-03-17 05:12:06
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