Chocolate for an intercultural day

Our students and guests explored the Valrhona Cité du Chocolat to discover how chocolate is made, but also to experience and taste many chocolate flavours. Identifying smells and searching for aromas with interactive tasting kiosks, playing touching and listening games to recognize chocolate’s textures… This playful time was an interesting opportunity to discover the world of chocolate but also the world in itself, since it led to discussions about the way each one enjoys chocolate: much more sugary in some countries or bitterer, whenever universal, chocolate is a matter of culture too!
Venturing into the secrets of chocolate was also the occasion to know each other better, like Henry, reminding the specific taste of cocoa beans he used to eat in his grandfather’s cocoa plantation and sharing his Ivorian memories with the other students. The visit also included a temporary exhibition on Madagascar, to discover this land of cocoa and the richness of its biodiversity. Our gourmets were delighted!

The visit was followed by a picnic on the grass nearby the Rhône side, an occasion to have a glimpse of vineyards on Hermitage hill while listening to music, thanks to the students who had brought a portable Bluetooth speaker to share their country’s music.

Chocolate, sunshine and music: what else? This is the perfect recipe for a successful intercultural moment!