Wednesday, July 30, 2014
E. Guittard Columbia Chucuri 65% cacao
Creamy texture with nice flavor overtones. Honey and berries come to mind. Very low bitterness, but the flavors keep the aftertaste engaging. 8.0
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Amano Venezuela Chuao 70% cacao
This bar has a subtle flavor profile. I am tasting honey and faint orange flavors. Almost no bitterness, so the aftertaste is gentle. 8.9
I have tasted three other bars with beans from Chuao, Venezuela. My rating have range from 7.7 for Fresco 217 Venezuela Chuao 70% cacao to 9.5 for Amedei Chuao 70% cocoa. If you see the comment from the label that I copied for the latter you can see Amedei's version of how rare and extraordinary are Chuao beans. This post will have a similar From the label post. While I am sure that these beans are hard to get, the resulting chocolate is not always superior to other cacao. This bar, though, does a good job with them, and the Amedei bar scored one of my highest ratings, so there's that.
I have tasted three other bars with beans from Chuao, Venezuela. My rating have range from 7.7 for Fresco 217 Venezuela Chuao 70% cacao to 9.5 for Amedei Chuao 70% cocoa. If you see the comment from the label that I copied for the latter you can see Amedei's version of how rare and extraordinary are Chuao beans. This post will have a similar From the label post. While I am sure that these beans are hard to get, the resulting chocolate is not always superior to other cacao. This bar, though, does a good job with them, and the Amedei bar scored one of my highest ratings, so there's that.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Raaka Ecuador 85% cacao
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Amano Dominican Republic Dos Rios 70% cacao
Very flavorful bar. The label mentions flavors of bergamot and cinnamon. Looks like I need to expand my flavor experience, as I am not familiar with the specifics of bergamot. On the web one person describes it as a "sweet lemon", but the label refers to it as being more like an orange. There is a flavor thread that has a citrus component, so this description is apt, but I am hard pressed to distinguish any cinnamon. None-the-less, this is a great bar with flavor to grab one's interest. Another excellent bar from Amano. 9.5
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Raaka Madagascar 75% cacao
An assertive chocolate, earthy with some nuttiness. Fairly bitter, with a long aftertaste. The label mentions several flavors, none of which I taste: gold plum, rice wine, pistachio. Also mentioned is a "sharp citrus character," which I also do not taste. 6.9
raakachocolate.com
raakachocolate.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Dandelion Liberia Butuo 70% cacao
This bar has a rich flavor palette. There is an initial earthy flavor on first tasting, but as the chocolate melts other flavors emerge. There was a distinct caramel flavor, something I have not noticed before in other bars. Later as the aftertaste developed, a cinnamon flavor emerged. These are both noted on the label, plus a "butter" flavor, which I did not notice. Once again, a very well made bar from Dandelion Chocolate. 9.4
The label also reports that this bar is made from beans grown by former Liberian child-soldiers, giving them training in growing cacao. For additional information, visit: liberationchocolate.com
The label also reports that this bar is made from beans grown by former Liberian child-soldiers, giving them training in growing cacao. For additional information, visit: liberationchocolate.com
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Montezuma's Very Dark 73% cocoa
Clean cocoa flavor, with some earthiness. Somewhat bitter, but this fades in the aftertaste. 7.4
www.montezumas.co.uk
This is the last bar from my London/Ireland collection. The label on the back mentions that the cocoa beans come from The Dominican Republic, though this bar is not labeled as a single-origin bar.
www.montezumas.co.uk
This is the last bar from my London/Ireland collection. The label on the back mentions that the cocoa beans come from The Dominican Republic, though this bar is not labeled as a single-origin bar.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Prestat Dark And Rich 71% cocoa
As with other British and Irish multi-origin chocolate bars, this bar has few flaor notes beyond a rich cocoa flavor. Very smooth and clean taste. Very little aftertaste, but it does tail off nicely. 7.7
www.prestat.co.uk
Prestat's label indicated that they have been in business since 1802 and producing chocolate for "over 100 years." I purchased this bar and the next one that I'll be tasting at Heathrow Airport before boarding for my flight home in April. It was quite an enjoyable trip.
www.prestat.co.uk
Prestat's label indicated that they have been in business since 1802 and producing chocolate for "over 100 years." I purchased this bar and the next one that I'll be tasting at Heathrow Airport before boarding for my flight home in April. It was quite an enjoyable trip.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Ritter Sport Fine Extra Dark 73% cocoa
Very rich cocoa taste, with some bitterness. 6.9
This bar is similar to the Ritter Sport Ecuador Fine Extra Dark 71% Cocoa, with cocoa as the flavor focus.
This bar is similar to the Ritter Sport Ecuador Fine Extra Dark 71% Cocoa, with cocoa as the flavor focus.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Wilkies Peru Tumbes 75% cacao
Very flavorful, with bright fruit notes. Low bitterness and a short aftertaste. Very slight chalky component. 8.4
wilkieschocolate.ie
I also purchased this bar in Galway, same store as the last one. Nice to see a maker of single-origin chocolate on offer.
wilkieschocolate.ie
I also purchased this bar in Galway, same store as the last one. Nice to see a maker of single-origin chocolate on offer.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
McCambridges Dark 70% cocoa
Another cocoa-rich bar from Ireland. Fairly bitter for a 70% bar, but the aftertaste is even. Some nutmeg notes are noticeable. 7.2
mccambridges.com
I bought this bar at the McCambridge's store in Galway.
mccambridges.com
I bought this bar at the McCambridge's store in Galway.