Books have the power to change the world and the capacity to change our thinking.
My take on pairing books and chocolate is using a good read to inspire the exploration of the human and sensory experience of the world of fine chocolate.
WHY PAIR
BOOKS & CHOCOLATE?
I introduced fine chocolate to my book club, the Louth Literary Coven, five years ago, and we have never looked back. Seeking out makers, origins and taste experiences to match the books has played a decisive role in my own chocolate journey, and I would love to see more people discovering fine chocolate through combined book and chocolate clubs.
THE ART OF PAIRING
A successful pairing highlights the unique nature of each experience. With a good book and chocolate pairing, you read and talk about the book, you taste and talk about the chocolate. Crucially, by bringing the two together, you can explore the intricacies of each, furthering your discussion and understanding of both.
TRANSFORM YOUR
BOOK CLUB
However serious your book club is, you will usually engage in some level of discussion about your feelings. For example: what you thought of the characters, the style, the settings, the author and the themes. At a chocolate club, you do just the same. You compare taste experiences by exploring styles, themes, origins and makers.
FICTION
Fictional narratives inspire creative pairings that will delve into the merits of both book and chocolate.
The connections between chocolate and text can be imaginative. However, to be successful, they should always be educational by provoking discussion and insight.
NON-FICTION
The chocolate curriculum and the themes of taste, transparency and craftsmanship provide us with a rich source of pairings for non-fiction titles.
Generally, there is just so much to share and learn from such unions.
If you are looking to introduce chocolate to your book club, why not invite me along to talk you through your first pairing. I will also teach you the art of sensorial chocolate tasting. My attendance via Zoom costs £30 plus the cost of the four selected bars. Prices for attending book clubs in Lincolnshire are available on request.
