Confectionery tasting can be an enjoyable experience. From a chocolate box to a candy jar, there’s always a wide range of confectionery to choose from and taste.

If you’re new to confectionery tasting, there are several factors to consider before setting out on this adventure. Moreso, kids are often tempted to impress us with their sweet tooth and might want to engage in confectionery tasting, leaving us to be the judge on which is the best or worst.

1. Pick Quality Confectioneries

Choose quality confectioneries from reputable brands. Look for products that use natural ingredients, avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.

Luckily, most of the manufacturers have a list of ingredients or nutrition information found on the packaging to help you make informed decisions.

2. Starting Your Tasting Journey

Avoid eating a full meal before starting your confectionery tasting because it will dull your taste buds and affect your judgment. Prepare a few water glasses and neutral crackers like saltines to cleanse your palate between confectioneries.

3. Examine the Product

Before consuming, visually examine the color, shape, size, texture, and smell of the confectionery. These factors can help you determine the taste expectations, as well as the quality of confectionery if it has color or texture variations.

4. Savor the Taste

While tasting, allow the candy to dissolve and melt in your mouth. Notice the flavor, texture, and sweetness and make notes of what stands out to you, the flavors, pleasant or unpleasant.

Challenge your senses by trying to discern specific flavor notes, like tartness if the confection is sweet/sour.

5. Which one is the Best?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to confectionery tasting. The best confectionery is often subjective, based on your taste preferences.

It’s okay if the first confection did not sit well with you, and it’s also essential to keep an open mind and be willing to explore different flavors.

6. Confectionery Pairing

Confectionery pairing involves choosing multiple confectioneries and enjoying them together.

For instance, pairing peppermint candy with a chocolate bar or dark chocolate with a bar of nuts will bring out the best out of your taste buds with the complementary flavors. Ensure that the flavors you choose complement each other.

7. The Kids’ Desperate Attempt to Impress Us

Kids can make confectionery tasting fun. They will often try to impress you with their sweet treat knowledge. Encourage them to use their senses to describe their experiences and translate the taste to familiar experiences like fruits.

Offer praise for their opinions and let them feel comfortable making decisions on what they like or dislike.

8. Cautions for Kids

Kids’ teeth are more vulnerable to sugar, so parents should be cautious with confectionery tastings. Consider giving them small portions and in moderation to avoid high sugar content that can affect their teeth and health.

Supervision is paramount, and it’s essential to emphasize good oral hygiene after snacking.

9. Conclusion

Confectionery tasting is an enjoyable experience, and it can be an opportunity to bond with family and friends. However, it’s essential to consider the quality of the confectionery, prepare your senses, and have fun with the process.

For kids, parents need to exercise caution, go for moderate portions, and supervise at all times. Lastly, remember that our taste preferences are different, so there’s no right or wrong best candy, so have fun exploring different flavors and fragrances.