The course is brought to you by the International Institute of Cacao and Chocolate Tasting and The Indian Cacao and Craft Chocolate Festival
The International Institute of Cacao and Chocolate Tasting (IICCT) is a globally recognized education body dedicated to the sensory analysis of fine cacao and chocolate. Through its structured courses, it trains professionals, makers, and enthusiasts to deepen their understanding of flavor, quality, and origin.
The course and the exams will be taken in English (please note that translation tools are not allowed during the exam).
About the educator
Martin Christy is a leading figure in the world of fine chocolate. He is the founder and editor of SeventyPercent.com, one of the earliest and most influential platforms dedicated to craft chocolate. He also co-founded the International Institute of Cacao and Chocolate Tasting (IICCT), where he has developed structured tasting courses that are now recognized worldwide. Through his work as a writer, judge, and educator, Martin has played a key role in shaping the modern appreciation of fine cacao and chocolate.
About the course
Level 1 Chocolate Tasting lays the sensory foundation for your journey as a Chocolate Taster, introduces chocolate making in the fine and craft chocolate world, and takes you through where cacao comes from and how it is produced.
During the course you will experience the sensory elements used in chocolate tasting through a series of tasting games and experiments and you will practice using a formal approach to chocolate tasting.
The Foundation course is designed to run over a single day workshop, as three evening class sessions or as three online webinar sessions plus self-study. Level 1 course provides a good 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. The chocolate tasted includes examples of well made craft chocolate 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.
