There’s nothing quite as indulgent as kicking back and savoring some dark chocolate. Even if you don’t normally like chocolate, you might like dark chocolate, thanks to its uniquely bitter flavor combined with mellower sweet tones.
But did you know you can totally change the taste of dark chocolate? Try out some of the spices that go with dark chocolate in our post to experience it on a whole new level.
1. Black Pepper
Using black pepper is a great way to enhance savory flavors in a dish. Adding it to your dark chocolate will highlight its bitterness with a piercing taste.
Feel free to try it out yourself by whipping up these mouthwatering vegan black pepper chocolate truffles.
2. Cardamom
What if you want to enhance the slight sweet notes in your dark chocolate? Then you should think about using cardamom, which has a sophisticated lemony and minty taste. It will make each chocolate-filled bite refreshing in addition to being indulgent.
Related Article: Where to Find Cardamom Pods in the Grocery Store
3. Cayenne
Ready to get bold with your chocolate? Try mixing in a bit of cayenne pepper with it. You’ll get a robust smoky, bitter taste unlike any other.
4. Chili Powder
If you want to try out the sweet, smoky, and spicy combo above but don’t have cayenne, check your spice cabinet for chili powder. Because it’s often made with cayenne, it also has a savory, spicy taste that will give your dark chocolate an exotic-tasting twist of heat.
5. Cinnamon
While most people associate cinnamon with toothache-level sweets, the spice itself isn’t honestly that sweet. In fact, it’s spicy and pungent, which is what makes it great at highlighting the bitterness in your dark chocolate without drowning out its sweeter side.
Make sure to check out our post about what cinnamon tastes like for more info.
6. Curry Powder
If you’re feeling adventurous, curry powder and dark chocolate will take you on a real culinary trip. Curry powder is made from several other spices, often including cumin and turmeric. It will combine with your chocolate to create an earthy, zesty, and bitter mouthful that will make you feel like you’re sampling an international recipe.
7. Espresso Powder
Okay, so espresso powder isn’t usually considered a spice. We couldn’t resist mentioning it, though, because it is absolutely and undeniably delicious with dark chocolate. Espresso’s rich and intense flavor complements the chocolate, leading to an even deeper flavor profile.
Read Also: What is Espresso Powder?
8. Fennel
The seeds of fennel possess their own bitterness. If you were to combine them with dark chocolate, you would raise the bitterness to new heights, and then it would end in a pleasantly lingering sweetness.
9. Ginger
Fruit and chocolate go together like peas in a pod. Thus, the citrusy elements in ginger are naturally great for brightening dark chocolate and giving it some peppiness.
10. Mint
Oh, mint and chocolate – a tried and true combination worthy of the annals of culinary history. Mint is absolutely wonderful for giving your dark chocolate a light and refreshing note.
You May Also Like: What Does Mint Taste Like?
11. Paprika
There are a few different types of paprika, and each one pairs beautifully with dark chocolate while producing various results. We suggest spicy paprika to give your dark chocolate a bit of a kick.
12. Pink Peppercorn
Did you know that pink peppercorn is made from dried berries? This might be why it has a fruity and spicy taste that makes it a wonderful choice for dark chocolate. Expect it to lend the chocolate some lively notes of fruit that fill out its hint of sweetness.
13. Sea Salt
Salt and chocolate is yet another time-honored pairing. We recommend sea salt specifically because, in addition to giving your chocolate that salty bite, it will have a pleasingly crunchy texture you’ll love sinking your teeth into.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
