Match made in heaven: How to pair fresh fruits with decadent chocolates

Chefs call it a match made in heaven and none can disagree The combination of succulent fresh fruits and the sinful richness of chocolates offers an intense burst of pleasure The marriage of this combination is so strong that our taste buds can never get enough of itAlthough one might think that it is only strawberries that are paired with chocolates the heavenly combination of fruits with chocolate goes way beyond strawberries This writer herself loves to bite into crunchy green apples dipped in Nutella An unusual combination at first begins to please the palate graduallyTo explore other such combinations of various fruits and chocolates we reached out to chefs and bakers They take us through the nittygritty of the union and lastly share recipes of some of the most decadent combinations that will never let you run out of desserts when you need oneChefs talk about this versatile pairingOne canrsquot place a finger on the exact year this combination came into being however according to Chef Rajiv Das executive chef Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport ldquoIt most likely happened after European nations like Spain Britain the Netherlands and France began expanding their colonies in South America Africa Asia and other regions of the world They began by utilising cocoa beans to make chocolate drinks Then they began to regularly consume chocolaterdquoldquoThisrdquo Chef Prakash Singh Head Chef Aloha Fusion Asian Bar adds ldquoThen led to people relishing chocolates in various ways like the popular practice of pairing chocolate with wine coffee or fruitsrdquoldquoThus balancing the sweetness of chocolate with the fresh flavours of fruits such as the iconic chocolatecovered strawberries became a natural and beloved practicerdquo states Gagan Anand founder and director Scuzo Ice lsquoOrsquo MagicHe further adds ldquoThis trend gained momentum in the 19th and 20th centuries resulting in a variety of creative recipesrdquo Today the global appeal of combining fruits with chocolates continues showcasing the timeless and harmonious union of these two delightful elementsThis pairing stands out from the rest of the dessert combinations not just due to its heavenly taste but also because of its texture and visual attractiveness Besides fruits offer a delightful contrast to the depth and richness of chocolate as they are acidic and frequently have sweet undertonesChef Pooja Sachdev cofounder and head chef Gourmetly Yours says ldquoThe type of chocolate paired with the fruit would depend on the type of fruit citrusy creamy sour etc Oranges are usually paired with dark chocolate and a creamy fruit like coconut is paired best with milk chocolaterdquoTo achieve a perfect combination Chef Briju Parthasarathy Brijursquos Patisserie says ldquoOne must have a sound understanding of flavours various chocolates and fruits carry One must know which flavour of chocolate goes with which fruitrdquoExpanding on this Chef Prakash Singh states ldquoUnderstanding flavours involves considering four main principles taste aroma texture and mouthfeel When any of these elements are lacking in the food we consume it tends to become uninteresting Therefore when we engage in food pairing its essential to have a similar basic aromatic essence as the base note but there should also be a contrasting element to achieve a balanced combinationrdquoldquoFor instance pairing an already sweet dish with something equally sweet can lead to an overwhelming sugar rush not doing justice to either component In the case of pairing chocolate with fruits like berries the sourness of the berries effectively balances the sweetness of the chocolate Conversely if opting for a sweeter fruit like a banana it is advisable to pair it with a darker chocolate to achieve a harmonious balance of flavoursrdquoFruits best paired with chocolatesThe potential pairings of fruits with your preferred chocolate blend are limitless However if we were to narrow it down to some widely enjoyed and readily available combinations a few stand outOne classic pairing involves the vibrant citrus notes of oranges complementing dark chocolate superbly The interplay between the sweet and slightly sour orange with the bitterness of dark chocolate creates a truly divine flavour sensationAnother delightful combination worth trying is raspberries with milk chocolate The tartness of the berries harmonises well with the sweetness of milk chocolate making it a delightful choice for pancake toppings or pies While pairing white chocolate can be a bit tricky it can result in a heavenly match if done rightOne appealing combination involves pairing white chocolate with mangoes provided you select mangoes that balance the sweetness without being overwhelmingAlternatively for a safer option raspberries and white chocolate make a great pairing as wellOne can also opt to pair lemon custard with a chocolate ganache For those who favour a balance of tangy and sweet flavours a common and beloved choice is the combination of apple slices with milk chocolateBananas are often chosen for their creamy texture and ability to blend well with both dark and milk chocolatesEven peaches and grapes taste great when paired with dark chocolate Some fruits however might not blend well with chocolates Chefs recommend avoiding pairing watery or extremely dense fruits with chocolates These fruits include watermelons jackfruit or cucumbers as they might dilute the richness of chocolateHowever since individual taste preferences vary experimentation can lead to unique and enjoyable combinationsInnovative ways to pair fresh fruits with chocolates1 Blueberry White Chocolate Yoghurt ParfaitIngredientsFresh blueberry 100 gmWhite chocolate 100 gmDairy cream 70 gmYoghurt 300 gmMuesli 50 gmMint leaf for garnishMethod1 Make white chocolate ganache by boiling dairy cream in a saucepan and then add chopped white chocolate to it Set aside2 Combine white chocolate ganache with yoghurt3 To assemble place some fresh blueberries in a tall glass add the mixture of white chocolate yoghurt and sprinkle some muesli on top Garnish with fresh mint leaf4 Serve chilled during breakfast or lunchRecipe by Chef Rajiv Das executive chef Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport2 Chocolatedipped Strawberry DelightIngredientsFresh strawberries 100 gmDark chocolate chips 100 gmWhite chocolate chips 100 gmChopped nuts optional a handfulParchment paper to dry the chocolatecoated fruit 1Method1 Melt dark and white chocolate separately2 Dip each strawberry into the dark chocolate ensuring an even coating and place them on parchment paper3 Drizzle melted white chocolate over the dipped strawberries for an elegant finish4 Optionally sprinkle chopped nuts before the chocolate sets Allow to cool and enjoy a decadent treatRecipes by Gagan Anand Founder and Director Scuzo Ice lsquoOrsquo Magic3 Triple Chocolate Banana BitesIngredientsRipe bananas 23Milk chocolate chips 100 gmDark chocolate chips 100 gmWhite chocolate chips 100 gmCrushed graham crackers 200 gmMethod1 Slice bananas into bitesized pieces2 Melt milk dark and white chocolate separately3 Dip banana pieces into milk chocolate then drizzle with dark and white chocolate4 Roll the chocolatecoated banana bites in crushed graham crackers for added texture 5 5 Place on a tray and refrigerate until the chocolate hardens Savour these delightful triplechocolate banana bitesRecipes by Gagan Anand Founder and Director Scuzo Ice lsquoOrsquo Magic4 Chocolate Fruit CakeIngredientsButter 100 gmDark brown sugar 100 gmDark chocolate 50 gmVanilla extract 24 mlDried sour cherries 50 gmMixed peel 50 gmRefined flour 100 gmRaisins 100 gmCocoa powder 11 gmDried cranberries 50 gmHoney bee brandy 37 mlGround almond 50 gmCurrants 100 gmMethod1 Start by adding butter sugar chocolate brandy vanilla and dried fruits into a large saucepan Heat all gently stirring occasionally until everything has melted together Remove from the flame once cooked well2 Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius Line a deep cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment Wrap a few layers of butter paper3 Mix the flour almonds cocoa powder and spice4 Break and stir the egg into a slightly cooled chocolate mixture in the saucepan followed by the flour mixture Mix these till you get a fine consistency5 Bake this ready mixture for 45 minutes or until a skewer poked in comes out clean Cool the tin then decorate with your favourite toppings and serve itRecipe by Chef Tarun Shetty corporate chef SMAAASHMake your own chocolate and fruit charcuterie boardChocolate Charcuterie is a board that includes various kinds of fruit berries candied peel cookies chocolatedipped breadsticks nuts and many other treats High teas Sunday brunches and weddings are the ideal occasions to prepare this chocolate charcuterie board1 The chocolate charcuterie board by chef Pooja SachdevIngredientsA wooden boardFor ChocolatesWhite chocolate 1 barMilk chocolate 1 barDark chocolate 1 barFor fruits Quantity as preferredStrawberriesKiwisBananasMulberriesGooseberriesDragon fruitPreparation1 Melt each chocolate bar separately in the microwave in bursts of 10 seconds till it melts If you have a fondue pot add each melted chocolate bar in three different pots 2 Place the fruits on a board Light up the fondue and dip and swirl the chopped fruit chunks to relish 2 Playful variation of traditional meat and cheese board by Chef Prakash SinghIngredientsA wooden boardFor ChocolatesWhite chocolate 1 barMilk chocolate 1 barDark chocolate 1 barFor fruits crackers and nuts Quantity as preferredDifferent kinds of berriesSliced applesSalty crackersChocolatecoated nuts or dried fruitsPreparation1 Melt the three chocolate boards separately and pour them into bowls 2 Then arrange all the assortments on a wooden board in patterns that please you3 You can also pair this with a bottle of wine for a delightful experience during a sunsetGiven the universal love for chocolate indulging in it at any time is always a delightful choice3 Chocolate cheese and fruit charcuterie board by Chef Tarun ShettyIngredientsA wooden boardCheese cut into chunks in quantity as desiredSkewers 56Whipped cream 1 cupFor chocolate sauceButter 50 gmCream 50 gmDark Chocolate chips 200 gmFor fruits Quantity as preferredPeachesStrawberriesGrapesOrangesApplesBananaStrawberriesPreparationTo make chocolate sauce1 Melt butter in a double boiler Once the butter is melted add the chocolate chips and stir for some time2 Once the chocolate has melted remove from heat add cream and mix well3 Then pour the sauce into a bowlFor the board1 On the board place the strawberries and cut peaches with skewers2 Place the bowls full of whipped cream and chocolate dip3 Now dip the strawberries and other fruits in cream and chocolate and enjoy