Taste of Chocolate

The seeds of the tropical cacao tree have been consumed by humans for around three millennia. Like coffee, these beans were originally roasted, ground, and heated up in water as a bitter beverage. At one point the beans were even used as currency among Aztecs. And anyone who has seen the profit shares for companies like Godiva or Dove could easily argue that this still holds true today. The currency of chocolate can be seen in other ways; that the Taste of Chocolate is in its 13th year seems to further this notion. Each year at the Taste, six local chocolatiers compete for sweet tooth supremacy in the professionally judged Best Chocolate Dessert and Best Chocolate Confection contests, where chocolate is examined and mulled over like fine wine, tested on taste, use, texture, and presentation. People attending the event will be able to taste gourmet sweets and vote in the People's Choice award. Rounding things out will be a silent auction, raffle, and shopping. The tasty event raises cash for the Bloomington Fine Arts Council, which provides a variety of programs in the arts. Yep, chocolate is definitely still a currency. For more info call or visit www.tasteofchocolate.org.
Sun., March 9, 1-5 p.m., 2008