Valentine’s Day Coffee Pairings: The Perfect Treats for Every Brew
Few things are as iconic for Valentine’s Day as chocolate, and its deep flavors pair wonderfully with coffee. Consider these undeniable combinations for someone you love — even if that someone is you.
Coffee and Chocolate Pairings
Like wine with a meal, certain types of coffee pair better with certain types of chocolate.
Nut-toned coffee
The unctuous, rich flavors of nut-toned coffee pairs beautifully with milk chocolates as well as fruity or spicy chocolates. Basic brownies, rich milk chocolate truffles or a chocolate cake are a perfect match.
Fruity and floral coffee
Lighter types of coffee are best paired with light or milk chocolate, as the delicate flavor of a lighter roast can be overpowered by darker chocolate varieties.
Earthy or spicy coffee
These types of coffee are best paired with chocolates containing 50-70% cocoa, often with dried fruit like an orange chocolate. These types of coffee have low acidity but a bold mouth feel, which pairs incredibly well with chocolate on the stronger side or with a tart bit of added fruit.
Dark roast coffee
Bold, strong dark roast coffee pairs best with dark chocolate. Chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa is great with French roasts or espresso, which combines the sweetness of the chocolate with the bitter notes in both the candy and the coffee.
Coffee-Forward Valentine’s Desserts
If you’re looking to impress your crush, these pairings of coffee and desserts are sure to delight.
Espresso and chocolate lava cake
A bold, full-body espresso is the perfect complement to cut through the rich, molten-chocolate decadence of a lava cake. The dark, bold tones of espresso help embolden the chocolate flavor and balance out the sweetness of the dessert.
Cappuccino and tiramisu
Both are Italian, both have coffee, and both are the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. Cappuccino with tiramisu is a perfect combination, even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.
Mocha and cheesecake
Cheesecake is a dense, sweet experience, and mocha both cuts the intensity and adds a different type of sweetness. If you’ve never paired these two, you’re in for a serious treat.
Cortadito and chocolate-covered strawberries
If you’ve never had a cortadito, it’s essentially a slightly sweetened Cuban espresso. The slight sweetness of the drink pairs beautifully with romantic, chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Show Your Break Room Some Love
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or a regular work day, pairing coffee and chocolate is always a great experience. If your office’s coffee situation could use a little love, discover what BostonbeaN has to offer. With a wide variety of coffee flavors, roasts, syrups and treats, get ready to put your staff into the Valentine’s spirit.