Chocolate Taster is a professional who tastes chocolates with a different flavour and then gets paid for it. It is one of the emerging careers like others. As a Chocolate Taster, they have to spend their time in inspecting candies for appropriate sheen or cracks in the chocolate coatings and smell the delicate chocolates for aroma. As many variables affecting the flavour of chocolate bar; it is important to taste careful so that it can be extracted fullest flavour potential. Chocolate tasters have to need/know everything about chocolates and above all, a clean and sensitive palate since chocolate flavours are rich and complex.
Chocolate Taster Eligibility
After passing their 12th class applicants can go for Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Food Technology or Applied Sciences (Hons.) in Food Technology, which gives basic knowledge in selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe, nutritious and wholesome food. Getting some experience in product development, from the retail side or the supplies side can be of great help.
Chocolate Taster Required Skills
- Applicants must have knowledge of flavour, texture, how to melt, mould and temper chocolates.
- Apart from this, a chocolate taster requires knowledge, creativity, imagination, commitment, putting in long hours, finesse and attention to detailing.
- Candidates should have basic cooking skills, lots of patience and an open mind.
- To be in this field they definitely need to have a passion for crafting chocolates and possess basic marketing and public relation skills.
- They should have enthusiastic and passionate about chocolate; updated about latest trends; good amount of patience and people person along with good communicator.
How to Become a Chocolate Taster?
Before starting a career in this field after completing a specialised course, the first step is to work under a Master Chocolate Taster. After attaining hands-on experience, one can open their own store or work for renowned chocolate brands.
Chocolate taster jobs do not require any formal qualifications. However, you do need to have an acute sense of taste and smell to do the job effectively. A lover of chocolate taster would enjoy going to work every day if their job consisted of tasting chocolate every day. Large chocolate companies have several chocolate tasters they use to make sure their product is delicious.
Institutes offering Courses for Chocolate Taster
- University of Delhi (DU)
- University of Mysore
- Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition.
Chocolate Taster Job Description
Chocolate Tasters take a bite, chew for a few seconds, then stop and allow it to melt to release all the flavours. It always ensures that the chocolate is spread all around your mouth - not just one side. This is the way they can taste all the flavours intensely. Good chocolate should always have harmonious tastes such as tinges of bitterness and acidity are signs of a good chocolate, but the astringency is associated with poor quality. We all know about seasonal chocolates demands like it brings out special ranges for Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Mothering Sunday and the like other occasions.
Chocolate Taster Career Prospects
- One can also opt for a career in the chocolate confectionary industry as a chocolate tester.
- There are options to work in the hospitality industry on cruise ships, world-renowned hotels, resorts and casinos.
- Some could go on to work for big chocolate tasters like in Nestle or Cadbury's.
- They can also get jobs in other places like restaurant, confectioneries and five-star hotels etc.
- They can open their own outlets for selling these products or can even sell products to other bakeries, gift stores, corporate houses and other shops etc.
Chocolate Taster Salary
On average, from starting they can get Rs.20,000 per month in the Indian market and the rest depends on their experience and work. Salary increases based on their experience, industry type of Chocolates and location. One can expect a better pay scale abroad as well.
