Sunday, May 28, 2017

Palette De Bine Haiti 70% cacao

Rich clear chocolate taste, with a citrus element and some molasses flavor. Short lasting aftertaste. 9.1



Sunday, May 21, 2017

Palette De Bine Vietnam Lâm Đồng 72% cacao

Very flavorful bar, I notice anise, pepper, blackberry smoke. Smooth taste through to the aftertaste, which is gentle but persistent. 9.6

Ingredients: cocoa beans and organic sugar cane

The label on the cover of this bar reads: "International Chocolate Awards Americas 2015 Bronze"

Monday, May 15, 2017

Tcho Ecuador "Nutty" 65% cacao

This bar wears its flavor profile on its name -- "Nutty." Certainly has a nutty flavor, and does not have that metallic aspect that I mentioned in my review of their previous "Nutty" bar, which was from Peru: http://chococheck.blogspot.com/2010/06/tcho-nutty-peru-70-cacao.html. Also mentioned on the label is "hints of espresso," and I concur with this as well -- mild coffee flavor in the background. 8.0

This is the first Tcho bar I have reviewed in a while. They used to have their factory in San Francisco, not far from my office, but they are now located across the bay in Berkeley. This makes it harder for me to drop by to see what's cooking, though their bars are widely available in area stores.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Letterbox Ecuador Costa Esmeraldas 70% cacao

Very nice flavor balance. Some earthiness and smoke is in the mix, but there is also sweetness and anise.  Aftertaste is smooth with a touch of bitterness. 8.3