“I use [chocolate tasting] as a bit of a yogic moment to find some peace and quiet and sit back and enjoy what I’m eating.” - Tyler Cagwin, Nostalgia Chocolate
When I talk to chocolate makers or other chocolate professionals about the tasting experience, what drew them to chocolate, and what happens when they close their eyes with a piece of chocolate on their tongues, nostalgia is the word that comes from their lips more often than any other. So if a chocolate maker is going to use that word in their company name, they better know what they’re doing. Tyler Cagwin at Nostalgia Chocolate in Syracuse, New York, definitely does.
In this episode we talk with Tyler about his perspective on tasting chocolate, his experience working with brewers and hop growers, and his process for crafting his unique Hops Aged chocolate bar. We also talk to Chad Meigs at The Bineyard hop farm, who supplied the hops for this bar, and Jordan Pollock and Ivan Dedek at Meier’s Creek Brewing, who recently used Tyler’s cacao in a new Porter.
Episode Timeline:
:00-4:10 - Introduction
4:10-6:10 - Tyler Cagwin of Nostalgia Chocolate on his background and cacao sourcing
6:10-33:52 - Nostalgia Hops Aged Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 70% Dark Chocolate
- (6:10-14:30 - Tyler Cagwin on his Hops Aged bar)
- (14:30-21:20 - Explanation of IPA and hops in brewing)
- (21:20-33:15 - Chad Meigs of The Bineyard hop farm)
33:52-43:10 - Nostalgia Chocolate’s work with Meier’s Creek Brewing
- (34:08-37:33 - Tyler Cagwin on his partnership with Meier’s Creek Brewing)
- (37:33-43:10 - Jordan Pollock & Ivan Dedek of Meier’s Creek Brewing)
43:10-51:48 - Tyler Cagwin on other beer collaborations and his reflections on chocolate tasting
51:48-54:01 - Conclusion
Episode Notes:
Beers discussed in this episode include Meier’s Creek Choccy Milk Porter and Talking Cursive Blonde Porter.
Chocolate bars discussed in this episode from Nostalgia Chocolate include Hops Aged 70% Tanzania Kokoa Kamili, Madagascar Sambirano Valley, Madagascar Sambirano Valley 70%, Reserva Zorzal 70%, and Guatemala Chivite. These and other Nostalgia products are available on the Nostalgia Chocolate website.
The music for this episode was sampled from instrumental versions of the songs “Free” “Come Home” written and performed by indie folk musician Anna ps from her 2016 album Umbrella. You can find out more about Anna and get in touch about booking her for a show at her website.
Check out David's book Pairing Beer & Chocolate: A Guide to Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together.
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