Do you love the taste of chocolate? What about the taste of coffee?
If you answered yes to both of those questions, you are in for a real treat!
In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways to combine chocolate and coffee.
We will also recommend some delicious coffee blends that go great with chocolate.
So, if you are looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup of joe, or if you are looking for an afternoon pick-me-up that is exquisite, read on!
This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of Amazon, I may receive a commission at no extra cost if you purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information. I take no credit for the images appearing on this page. All photos courtesy of Canva.
Why do coffee and chocolate go so well together?
There are a few reasons coffee and chocolate make such a great pair.
First of all, they share some common flavor notes. For example, both coffee and chocolate have bitter undertones.
In addition, they are both rich and complex flavors that can stand up to each other.
Finally, when you combine the two flavors, you get a mouth-watering taste that will leave you returning for more!
Whether you opt for a chocolate-flavored coffee or decide to pair a fine piece of chocolate with a cup of joe, you really can’t go wrong with this delicious combination!
Coffee and Chocolate: The Ultimate Origin Story
The chocolate and coffee origin story is a long and winding one.
After all, chocolate and coffee come from plants in similar parts of the world.
Chocolate hails from several places, including Latin America and the western part of Africa. Coffee also comes from Africa and South America, as well as Arabia.
The two flavors eventually crossed paths thanks to early exploration, and various chocolate drinks have now been in circulation for centuries.
In fact, there is evidence that coffee and chocolate were combined in Venice to create a beverage called bavareisa as early as the 16th century.
Since then, the popularity of this combo has only grown!
These days, you can find trendy drinks featuring the complex taste of two different flavors worldwide.
This flavor combination has taken the coffee world by storm, from small coffee shops to big chain restaurants!
Does the flavor of coffee have natural notes of chocolate?
You might be surprised to learn that the answer is yes!
The flavor produced by a whole bean depends upon where it was grown and the roasting process.
Coffee beans themselves have natural chocolate undertones.
In addition, chocolate has been used as a flavoring for coffee for many years.
And in the coffee world, there are several ways to introduce chocolate pairings.
- Specialty coffee flavor roasts
- Adding any kind of chocolate to a coffee drink
- Covering espresso beans with chocolate
- Enjoying a delightful cup of coffee along with your favorite chocolatey treat
- Enhancing the rich chocolate flavor of baked goods and frostings with the complex flavor profiles of a medium-dark roast
Although I love the rich dark chocolate flavor of baked goods as much as anyone, the focus of Latte Joy is not baking.
We will, therefore, focus on the first 3 coffee chocolate combinations in this post.
But if you love baking, please feel free to comment below with the best recipes that either contain or go well with the natural flavors of coffee!
The Best Chocolate Coffee Pairing Options Worth Trying
And with that, let’s explore a few of the best coffee chocolate combinations!
First up is the hotly debated topic of flavored coffee.
Flavored Coffee
Many coffee connoisseurs will tell you that flavored coffee is a sacrilege.
I am not one of those people.
I think that if done right, flavored coffee can be a delicious treat!
And sometimes, looking forward to the rich taste of my flavored morning French press brew is the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning!
There are so many chocolate flavors to choose from: chocolate mocha, chocolate raspberry, chocolate mint, chocolate caramel, and the list goes on and on.
But my personal favorite at the moment is a seasonal flavor called “S’mores,” created by Door County Coffee Company.
Door County Coffee makes a wide variety of delectably flavored coffees that will leave you drooling.
Flavored coffee is a great way to enjoy the rich flavors of chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut without adding calories.
Although I love a delicious Starbucks menu drink item, many of their custom creations contain almost as many calories as an entire meal.
And many coffee shop drinks also contain way more sugar than anyone should have in a week, much less a day.
But sticking with flavored coffee with a little bit of milk or cream keeps your calorie and sugar intake in check without sacrificing flavor.
Check out these delicious classic chocolate coffee flavor combinations available now on Amazon!
, 
, 
, 
Adding Chocolate to Your Coffee
Another good option for enhancing your coffee is to add chocolate.
It’s a classic flavor combination that’s been around for centuries, so you can’t go wrong!
In fact, one of the most popular coffee shop drinks in the United States is the mocha.
This drink is a classic combination of espresso, milk, and bittersweet mocha sauce, with whipped cream.
With that being said, not all chocolate coffees taste the same. The flavor of your chocolate coffee will depend on the type of chocolate used.
For example, milk chocolate will add sweet and creamy notes to your coffee, while dark chocolate will make your drink richer and more intense.
And adding less chocolate will bring out the strong flavor of the underlying coffee or espresso.
A custom sauce is one of the easiest ways to add chocolate to your coffee.
Here are my recommendations for the best ones available on Amazon.
, 
, 
You can also try melting a dark chocolate bar or chocolate chips to enhance the flavor of your coffee. However, I find the pre-made syrups to be outstanding products that are too delicious and convenient to pass up.
Covering espresso beans with chocolate
And the last option we will discuss in this post today is covering espresso beans in chocolate. If you don’t want to sip your caffeine, you can enjoy it in flavors such as dark, milk, and white chocolate.
This is a great option for those who want to get your caffeine fix and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time!
Check out a few of the delicious options available on Amazon!
, 
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there health benefits of drinking coffee?
Yes, there may be health benefits associated with drinking coffee.
Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants and has been linked with a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Coffee also contains caffeine, which can positively affect cognitive function and physical performance.
Remember that caffeine should be taken in moderation; otherwise, it can interfere with sleep.
Are there health benefits of eating chocolate?
Yes, chocolate is also a rich source of antioxidants and has been linked with a reduced risk of heart disease.
Chocolate also contains flavonoids, which can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation.
However, chocolate also tends to be high in calories and sugar, so it should be consumed in moderation.
Research does show more health benefits with dark versus other chocolate flavors.
What type of coffee pairs best with chocolate desserts?
A rich and full-bodied coffee is the best coffee to pair with chocolate desserts.
Coffees such as French roast, Italian roast, or dark chocolate espresso.
These coffees will have enough body to stand up to the chocolate flavors in your dessert without being too bitter.
What kind of coffee has a chocolate flavor?
You can find chocolate flavor notes in some dark roast coffees.
These beans are often roasted longer, which brings out chocolatey undertones in the coffee.
Do coffee and chocolate come from the same plant?
No, chocolate and coffee do not come from the same plant.
Chocolate comes from the cacao tree, while coffee beans come from plants of the Coffea genus.
Does chocolate have caffeine?
Yes, chocolate does contain caffeine.
Interestingly, white chocolate does not contain caffeine.
And the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it has. In total, dark chocolate has around 12 mg of caffeine per ounce.
Although there are some differences depending upon the type, drip coffee has around the same caffeine content per ounce.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed learning about the best chocolate coffees out there.
Coffee and chocolate are two of my favorite things in the world, so I was excited to share some of my favorite flavor combinations with you!
Do you have a favorite chocolate coffee? Let me know in the comments below!
And if you loved this post, please help me by pinning it and sharing it with a friend!
You may also enjoy the following posts:
- The Ultimate Guide to Making Dutch Bros Soft Top
- How to Make the Best Iced Flat White at Home
- The Easy Way to Make Liquid Cane Sugar
- Uncovering the Iced Cortado: Your Next Summer Obsession
- Dirty Coffee: The Trendy New Drink Everyone is Talking About
- How to Make Dutch Bros Christmas Morning: The Best Holiday Drink Ever!
References
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate
Does Chocolate Have Caffeine: White, Dark, and Milk (healthline.com)
How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee? A Detailed Guide (healthline.com)