Level 1 Certificate in Chocolate Tasting, 22 Jun 2025, Union City, Greater New York

Level 1 establishes the sensory foundation needed for tasting chocolate professionally. It explores fine, artisanal chocolate and the processes that contribute to quality and flavor, from country and region of origin to post-harvest practices and manufacturing.

During the course you will practice formal approaches to chocolate tasting and become familiar with sensory analysis through a series of tasting games and experiments.

This Foundation course is designed to run over a single day workshop, it provides a solid grounding in chocolate tasting and includes tasting of 9 or more different origin or blended fine dark chocolate bars, tasted in different forms for an understanding of aroma, length, texture, and taste. We will taste samples of well-made craft chocolate from various origins and examples of defects and industrial production.

The course finishes with a 30-question multiple choice exam based on the course content. Certificates will be issued upon achieving a pass mark.

The course will have limited availability, as it will be a small group, seminar-style learning.

About the Level 1 course in Greater New York

This bilingual Level 1 course will be held at our new IICCT classroom in Casa Gran Cacao Americas, Union City. Situated just four blocks from Boulevard East, the venue is a mere 22 minutes away from Midtown Manhattan via train, bus, or ferry.

Union City, at the heart of New Jersey’s vibrant Latin community, resonates with the spirit of the agricultural cacao communities that IICCT collaborates with and proudly supports. Its lively, charming, and walkable streets are filled with restaurants and markets representing the diverse cultures of Latin America, promising an enriching backdrop for the learning experience.

The course has been thoughtfully scheduled to coincide with the Fancy Food Show, taking place at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center—right across the Hudson River—starting Sunday, June 29. This makes it perfect for students visiting New York who wish to enjoy both learning and networking opportunities during their stay.

The course will be taught in English and Spanish by Dr. Maricel E. Presilla, one of IICCT’s founders and the director of the International Chocolate Awards Americas competition. Dr. Presilla is an esteemed author of several books, including The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao with Recipes (Ten Speed Press), Great Latin Cuisine: The Food of Latin America (W.W. Norton), and Peppers of the Americas (Ten Speed Press).

A recognized authority in Latin American cuisine, cacao, and chocolate, Dr. Presilla also serves as president of Gran Cacao Americas, a company committed to research and agroecological innovation in sustainable cacao production and fine chocolate in the Americas.

A Latin American inspired lunch will be offered. Let us know if you have any dietary restriction.

For information about the course and payment methods, as well as for transportation details and lodging recommendations, contact Dr. Presilla directly by email at grancacao@aol.com. In your registration application include full name, gender, date of birth, email, home address and phone number.