Tastings and Pairings

Tasting chocolate is an adventure. There is always something new.

In mid October 2024, I joined an epicurean adventure at the invitation of my friend Juliet Davey. Traveling with Atlas Cruises along the north and west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, on board we gave an epicurean demonstration on chocolate. I am always enthusiastic to share my knowledge of chocolate and cacao, but as the duo of a farmer /entrepreneur ( Juliet ) and a chocolatier ( that’d be me ) it was a blast. The fruit, the beans, the post-harvest process, the making of chocolate, and tasting, and some politics, we dug into it with our audience. Now add heavy sea swells, the ship rocking, tables moving, and bits of chocolate rolling around, and it was whole new adventure. Where there is chocolate, there is adventure.

From Bilbao to á Coruña, we sought out chocolate. The coastal climate is much like home for me, foggy, cool, damp ( I live in San Francisco, California, btw ) and perfect for chocolate. We explored artisan made chocolate, drinking chocolate, fine confections, and have no doubt - history. Glimpsing local food culture when I travel and how that entwines with chocolate, this is a never-ending inspiration for me. Spain’s history with chocolate is rich, to say the least. The cruise continued to Portugal, Porto and Lisbon, two fantastic cities rich with chocolate culture as well. Port and chocolate, anyone? These two cities are mesmerizing in beauty, and again, cool and damp. Perfect cities for chocolate and we found much to enjoy.

My family adventures continued to the Spanish region of Catalonia, the cities of Barcelona and Girona. Barcelona is a city that deserves every praise we hear of it. It is a fabulous city and has, yes, a very rich history with chocolate. Giorona, was the big surprise for me. A picturesque and ancient city in the foothills of mountains, rich in food culture and history, and also the Roca brothers. The family is crafting world-class chocolate from bean to bar to art. Not on the way to anything really, but adventure, Girona is worth a trip.

Please visit my instagram page for highlights of this adventure. @david.upchurch

Juliet Davey is on instagram @mamacacao and web mamacacaochocolate.com

Sharing my knowledge of chocolate is a joy of my work. Below you will find postcards with some fun tips on pairings and tastings.

Contact me to discuss tasting events. There is world to explore with chocolate and tasting fine chocolate is just the BEGINNING of that adventure.