RED HOOK — Calling all chocolate lovers and coffee connoisseurs.
Raaka Chocolate is partnering with Irving Farm Coffee Roasters for an evening of tastings that features five samples of chocolate paired with cups of hand-poured single-origin coffee.
Five baristas from Irving Farm will serve the pairings on Dec. 13 at Raaka’s 64 Seabring St. factory in Red Hook from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $12 for unlimited tastings.
“Coffee and chocolate have a lot of things in common in the way they’re produced," said Ryan Mellinger, Raaka’s community director.
Raaka and Irving Farm will also introduce the duo’s first chocolate collaboration — the “Horchata” bar — which is made with Irving Farm’s Talnamica coffee from El Salvador and is available only through the coffee company.
To make the special bar, chocolate makers steeped butter with Irving Farm coffee, and used that butter along with Morro seeds, cinnamon and brown rice protein to create the distinctive flavor.
“We knew that we wanted to do something unique,” said John Summerour of Irving Farm, whose work involves community outreach, writing for the company website and facilitating partnerships.
Irving Farm’s baristas will serve the pairings chosen for the evening, and customers are welcome to ask them questions about the coffee-chocolate combinations.
One pairing that’s guaranteed is the new “Horchata” bar, served by barista Mayita Mendez, whose family farm in El Salvador grows the coffee beans.
Summerour is hoping the evening will give people a chance to “really experience” Raaka and Irving Farm’s products, as well as their relationship to each other.
“With coffee and chocolate, it’s a no brainer,” he said.
For tickets to the event, visit this website.
