Beer & Chocolate

While strolling the Mercato Centrale in Florence a while back, I was introduced to this curious gelatina, a little pot of Beer and Chocolate Jelly.

When I told the shopkeeper I was a chocolatier, he gave me the jar as a gift (that’s why I love Italy…) and told me to let him know how I liked it.

I conferred with my pal Judy and she suggested I try it with some seriously-good aged pecorino cheese which I also purchased from him.

So I finally opened the jar, and so far I’ve only been spooning it directly from the little jar and into my mouth!

La Gelatina di Birra e Cacao has the curious taste of yeasty beer with little nuggets of roasted cocoa beans, all suspended in each quivering spoonful of jelly.

Once you get past the aroma, a bit similar to the aftermath of a keg party, the beer and chocolate together gives me pause…I’ve discovered a new flavor combination, one that I never would have imagined.

Available at:

Baroni Alimentari
Mercato Centrale
(Central Market)
Florence, Italy
Tel/Fax: 39-055-289576