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Next Program: June 19 - July 17, 2026

How to register for the Mastering Chocolate Flavor Program:

We have kept the registration fee as low as possible to account for the added cost of the book and the chocolate you'll need for the guided tasting exercises (see the program pre-requisites below for more details).

Pre-requisites:

If you don't have it already, you'll want to have a copy of our book Raising the Bar - The Future of Fine Chocolate before starting the program. We refer to different information in the book to help you with understanding cacao genetics and other information as it relates to what you are studying in the program. The book is available on Amazon in eBook and paperback form. You'll want to get the eBook or paperback as its our 3rd Edition with updates. eBook versions are also available at: iTunes, Nook Books,Kobo, and Copia.

You'll want to set aside a budget for chocolate bars for your tasting exercises. You'll need from 3 - 4 different chocolates for each tasting assignment and there are five tasting assignments in the program. Once you register for the program, you'll be given the supply list or just email us and we'll get that to you.

When you're ready to pay your registration fee of $225.00 please click here: STUDENT REGISTRATION

What Will I Learn?

Be prepared to put that knowledge to the test in a series of guided tasting exercises along the way. That's right, once you start to understand what makes chocolate flavor then the real work begins by tasting chocolate.

We encourage everyone in the program to work together on the optional tasting exercises and share their experiences. We encourage you to participate in the guided flavor discussions and even use our Learning Centre Live Chat function to taste and share your insights with each other in real time.

"Because you are a professional working in the chocolate industry, our goal in this program is to take your tasting skills to the next level by teaching you to taste chocolate consciously and better identify and understand the subtleties and nuances associated with chocolate flavor as they relate to recipe development. Whether you are a chocolatier or a chocolate maker, this interactive 100% online program will help you to use chocolate more effectively in your professional life."  Pam Williams

"During this program we'll discuss the four basic concepts that will help you taste chocolate more consciously and knowledgeably: the origins of cacao and terroir as they impact chocolate flavor; how flavor works, both physiologically and in chocolate; the elements that contribute to the flavor of a chocolate and last but not least, how to consciously use your knowledge of taste and flavor to better understand your chocolate and the product you create from it."  Rich Tango-Lowy

How our Mastering Chocolate Flavor Program works:

This program is all about tasting chocolate. Over a month, you will study chocolate flavor and taste many different types of chocolate. As you complete tastings, you'll share your experiences with your Flavor Coach and peers through our interactive, online Learning Centre!

At the end of the program, you will receive a digital Master of Chocolate Flavor Certificate.

Your Learning Experience

Richard Tango-Lowy, our Online Tutor and Flavor Coach

Our Instructor, Richard Tango-Lowy, has been working with chocolate since 1996. He opened Dancing Lion Chocolate in 2007 and was known for the quality of his bonbons and confections. He also started making his own couverture to get the flavor and texture he wanted. So when it comes to understanding chocolate flavor, he is an expert! He retired in October 2025. Learn more about him from a colleague in A Curious Mind.

Rich says, "I've been actively tasting chocolate for at almost 20 years. 'Actively tasting' means that I sit and mindfully, consciously explore a piece of chocolate with my eyes, ears, hands, nose, and mouth. No distractions, no thoughts, notebook before me, pen in hand. After years of tasting, my sense of "taste" has expanded and become much more sensitive; I've learned to 'taste'."

The lessons Ecole Chocolat has assembled here will not only guide you through the art of tasting, but will give you a solid base to understand what you're tasting and why. Different chocolates taste different for many reasons: genetics, environment, processing, and even your own mood."

How do we teach chocolate tasting online?

Click here for a more information about our learning experience.

Our school faculty

Click here to read more about our instructors and tutors.

What our graduates have to say

"Expectations exceeded. I've learned so much and have much better direction for where I need to keep practicing. I love that it eases you into tasting, so the first assignment doesn't apply any pressure, it just gets you exposed to the practice and then as the modules go on we got deeper into flavor and tasting."
Phyona, '25 Graduate

"Yes I did. In fact, I gained so much knowledge that I find I have a more selective palate than before (i.e., cheaper chocolate isn't tasting nearly as good!). Beyond understanding flavor, I really appreciated the educational content on ecology, ethnobotany, genetics, cacao processing, and other "deep dives" into cacao and chocolate. Because of this class, I learned many compelling facts - for instance that cacao pods don't fall off of a cacao tree, but rather ripen in place. I did a tasting over the weekend and the instructor shared that cupuacu pods do fall off their trees and I was able to draw the contrast. This is just a single example of how much deep learning in cacao and chocolate I gained in the Chocolate Flavor class, really exceeding my expectations well beyond learning how to taste chocolate."
Jennifer, '25 Graduate

"Yes. I improved my vocabulary for describing chocolate flavor, refined my tasting structure, and better understood how origin/process impact flavor. Clear, well-organized materials; knowledgeable instructors; assignments that were practical and truly helped me apply the concepts; good reference resources."
Maria, '25 Graduate

More comments from our graduates

Chocolate aficionados and home chocolate artisans!

If you want to become an expert in chocolate flavor, but are not a professional, you are welcome in this program. You register for the program but only complete those assignments that interest you - everything is optional. There is no pressure. We suggest you don't miss participating in Assignment 1, 2 and 4 as they are a lot of fun to do! And you only buy the chocolate supplies indicated for the assignments you want to complete.

Cancellation policy

You can cancel from the Mastering Chocolate Flavor Program if you have not enrolled in the program in our Learning Centre. A refund of your tuition fee minus a 10% administration fee may take approximately 10 working days to process. Once you use the Enrollment Key (which is sent to you upon receipt of your registration) to enroll into the program Learning Centre, your registration fee becomes non-refundable.