Saturday, December 25, 2021

Chocolate Tree Peru Chililique 70% cacao

The initial taste of this bar is fairly bitter. This follows from a roasted profile derived from a coffee taste and some charcoal. The aftertaste is of short duration as the bitterness tails off quickly. 8.9

Ingredients: Cacao beans*, cane sugar*, cocoa butter*
*Certified organic ingredient

The Chocolate Tree website has a post on their sourcing of this bar's cacao in Chililique: https://www.choctree.co.uk/360-peru-chililique-2018/

Chocolate Tree has once more split this into two bars, each with its own detailed mold. A prior review of a Chocolate Tree bar shows a similarly nice mold design: Chocolate Tree Belize Maya Mountain 75% cacao

Monday, December 13, 2021

Car Peru Ucayali River 70% cacao

This bar has a buttery texture and a flavor that is nearly milky. There is also an gentle earthiness, somewhat yeasty. The aftertaste has a thickness that follows from the buttery start. 7.9

Friday, December 10, 2021

Bar Au Chocolat Peru Marañón Canyon 70% cacao

The prominent taste of this bar has cherry flavor, with an undertone of caramel. The bitterness is moderate, with a moderate aftertaste duration. 8.3

I previously reviewed this bar at Bar Au Chocolat Peru Marañón Canyon 70% cacao. I noted citrus notes then, which I might faintly taste here, but it is less noticeable.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

9th & Larkin Peru Ucayali River 72% cacao

There is a buttery flavor that stands out from the start with this bar which is reminiscent of toffee. Fruity notes accompany this flavor, mostly with a suggestion of berry, but leaning into a rum raisin taste. The bitterness is low and the aftertaste is short. 9.2

Sunday, November 28, 2021

Caputos Brazil Wild Juruá 70% cacao

The initial flavors noticed with this bar are fruity, bordering on juicy. Cherry and berry notes are out front, with some spice cake taste in the background. There is moderate bitterness and a comfortable aftertaste. 9.1

Ingredients: cocoa mass, organic cane sugar and cocoa butter 

www.caputos.com

The label explains that the cacao for this bar is "wild foraged." A note inside the label says, "This is a chocolate bar made from the extremely rare cacao found only along the Juruá river located in the remote upper Amazon rainforest." 

The mold for the bar is nicely done, displaying a Caputo's crest.




Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Lumineux Madagascar 73% cacao

This bar has a smooth texture with moderate bitterness. There is a cherry note that is prominent, and a lemony citrus flavor undertone. The aftertaste is clean and moderate. 9.0

Ingredients: Cocoa nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter

www.lumineuxchocolate.com

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Car Tanzania Kilombero Valley 70% cacao

Warm and rich chocolate flavor, fairly fudgy in body.  A hint of pine is in the background of the bar's earthy tones. The aftertaste is lengthy given the bar's rich flavor. 8.9

Ingredients: Cacao Beans, Cane Sugar*, Cacao Butter*
*Organic

carartisanchocolate.com

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Dandelion India Anamalai 70% cacao

This review covers two bars created from cacao from Anamalai, India: the 2018 harvest and the 2019 harvest with nutmeg fermentation.

The 2018 harvest is fairly bitter, with flavors of toffee and lemon curds. The aftertaste is lengthy, carrying on the bitter note. 8.4

The 2019 harvest with nutmeg fermentation is less bitter. The lemon flavor is stronger and it is accompanied by an element of cherry. The aftertaste is also less bitter, resulting in a shorter duration. 9.5

All cacao undergoes fermentation as part of the post-harvest preparation of the beans. The label reports that the nutmeg fermentation is "spiced" from the use of that ingredient as part of the fermentation. However I did not taste any hint of nutmeg, and the bar was not at all spicy. The nutmeg fermentation seemed to moderate the bitterness of the other bar, though it is a different harvest year.


Friday, October 15, 2021

Dandelion Brazil Vale Potumuju 70% cacao

This bar is fairly bitter, with a roasted profile and a tinge of charcoal. I also taste some notes of fig. The aftertaste lingers as the bitterness fades. 7.8

Thursday, September 30, 2021

French Broad Nicaragua 68% cacao

This bar has moderate bitterness with smooth texture. The flavor is creamy with a tinge of egg yolk, along with a charcoal edge of toast. The aftertaste is clean and short. 8.2

Sunday, September 19, 2021

MIA Madagascar 75% cacao

A sniff of this bar presents a fudgy aroma, though on tasting the flavors are more balanced. The primary note is earthy, tending towards woody. Underlying this is a spicy note, reminiscent of spike cake. 7.9

Ingredients: Cacao mass, cane sugar, cacao butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)

www.miafoodie.com


Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Amedei Jamaica 70% cacao

The initial taste of this bar is bitter with a rich chocolate taste reminiscent of fudge. This contrasts with my previous experience with this bar from 2010: Amedei I Cru Jamaica 70% cacao   I noted that the taste was not very bitter, "dark, but sweet." In this tasting the sweetness is minimal and the bitterness is prominent. I wonder whether the cacao changed or my taste has changed in the ensuing years. In the prior review I noted orange notes and almond flavor. I can taste some of both, but they are not prominent. I am also noticing some graininess in the texture of the bar as it melts. While my prior experience rated the bar higher, this experience does not rise to it.  7.6.

As you see in the prior post, I included a note from the label in the comments. This bar's label has the exact same note, mentioning citrus fruits, butter and fruit jams. The orange flavor I taste accounts for the cirtus flavor, which is still present. The bitterness, though, draws out a coffee note which I did not notice in the 2010 review.

But I wonder whether Amedei would consider updating the label if the bar's flavor notes have changed as significantly as my tasting indicates?

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Dick Taylor Mexico Soconusco 72% cacao

This bar presents with a fudgy texture, with a toasty roasted flavor and moderate bitterness.  The aftertaste continues with the bitter edge. As always from Dick Taylor Chocolate, the bar is well made. 8.2

 Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar

This is a limited release bar, and the first I have tasted of theirs from Mexico.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Dandelion Brazil Vale Potumuju 2019 70% cacao

This is a very rich chocolate, a buttery caramel profile along with a jammy fruit flavor. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste is short. 9.2

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Dandelion Venezuela Mantuano 2016 Harvest 70% cacao

This is the third harvest of the Mantuano, Venezeula cacao I have reviewed. This edition has a sharp, bitter taste on the front, with flavors of coffee and toast. There are some faint fruit notes, mostly deep cherry. The aftertaste is long given the bitter profile. 8.9

Previous tastes of this cacao on ChocoCheck from the prior harvests are Dandelion Venezuela Mantuano 70% cacao (2012 harvest) and Dandelion Venezuela Mantuano 2014 Harvest 70% cacao

Friday, July 2, 2021

9th & Larkin Vietnam Tien Giang 70% cacao

Even with a moderate cacao percentage, this bar packs a bitter punch. It has a burnt edge at the front, with a earthy game taste in the back. The aftertaste is driven by the bitter profile. 7.7

Thursday, July 1, 2021

9th & Larkin Vietnam Bre Tre 72% cacao

This bar has a buttery profile, with a faint orange taste in the background. The bitterness is well under control, with just enough punch to keep your interest. 8.8

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Cacaosuyo Peru Piura 70% cacao

This bar has an even taste with low bitterness. The fruit elements are cherry and peach. The finish is smooth with some sweetness. 9.0

Monday, June 7, 2021

Firetree Solomon Islands Makira Island 75% cacao

There is a punch of cacao bitterness as the bar develops on the tongue. A taste of grapefruit and honey have a gentler appearance in the background. The aftertaste is lengthy and continues to the bitter end. 8.3

Saturday, June 5, 2021

Firetree Philippines Mindanao Island 73% cacao

The boldest flavor that this bar presents is a buttery caramel taste. This is backed by a fainter fig note. The bar's bitterness is moderate, and the aftertaste is clean and even. 8.9

Ingredients: Cacao mass, unrefined sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin.

www.firetreechocolate.com


Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Lydgate Farms Hawaii Kauai 70% cacao

There are three threads of flavor developed in this bar. The first thread is a buttery caramel taste. A roasted flavor also comes forth with a faint coffee aspect. Finally, a peppery note appears in the aftertaste. 9.4

Ingredients: Lydgate Farms cacao beans, organic sugar, organic cocoa butter

www.lydgatefarms.com

The website has tasting notes for this bar, as well as other information about Lydgate Farms.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Original Beans Congo Virunga 70% cacao

Today I revisited the Original Beans Congo Cru Virunga 70% cacao which I first tasted ten years ago. With this tasting I am noticing the "earthy" aspect which is advertised on the front of the label. There is also some nuttiness and a background flavor of cherry. The aftertaste is warm and mild. 9.1


Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Original Beans Bolivia Beni Amazon 66% cacao

This bar has a smooth open with low bitterness. The flavors I taste are hazelnut and a faint butterscotch. Aftertaste is gentle with a short duration. 9.2

Original Beans added to its label a QR code to a page that provides details on the cacao which was harvested for this bar: beni.onebaronetree.org Also, the "foil" which is used to wrap the bar is made from wood and can be recycled or composted. Very innovative!



Saturday, May 8, 2021

Original Beans Peru Piura Valley 75% cacao

There is a brightness to this bar in its flavors and texture. A lemony citrus flavor stands out, along with a cherry taste with a rummy finish. The bitterness is moderate, and the aftertaste is gentle. 9.0

This bar appears to be identical to previously reviewed Original Beans Peru Piura Porcelana 75% cacao with different packaging. The taste is similar to what I reported in 2015, but my experience since then informs me that my rating should be higher than what I gave it then.

Friday, April 30, 2021

Patty Pan Cooperative Very Dark 90% cacao

As would be expected from a 90% cacao, this is a very bitter bar. There is a slight metallic taste as a result, but the cacao flavor is dominant. Aftertaste is long and astringent. 6.6

Ingredients: Organic Fair Trade Cacao, Organic Butter, Cocoa Butter

 I have previously reviewed two other bars from Patty Pan: Patty Pan Cooperative Ecuador - Single Origin and Patty Pan Cooperative Haiti - Single Origin. I notice that this bar has a slightly upgraded label. Also there is none of the granular texture I noted in the Ecuador bar.

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Naive Fuit Chocolate with Soursop 67% cacao

This bar includes an ingredient other than cocoa/cacao and sugar: soursop. I no longer review bars with added ingredients, but I did not realize that soursop was a fruit rather than a cacao origin. Nonetheless, this is a very flavorful bar and certainly worth a taste. I don't know how much of the fruitiness is derived from the soursop, which apparently has a citrus and pineapple flavor, but I taste citrus and some floral notes. 

 Ingredients: specialty cacao*, cane sugar*, pure cacao butter*,  soursop* (7%)
* wild or all-natural farming!

The label does not mention the origin on the cacao in this bar, though it does say that all ingredients come from a single ecosystem, that surround the equator. 

The linked Wikipedia article mentions "Soursop is widely promoted ... as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no medical evidence it is effective for treating cancer or any disease." The label of this bar includes this note: "There are fruits, superfruits, and super mega fruits but they all bite the dust compared to soursop. ... Open your mouth and get ready to heal." This seems like an unnecessary pandering to chocolate consumers. The flavor of the bar is great, so there is no need to appeal to supposed health benefits.


The label also has a badge: Gold for Packaging, Mulate Collection, Academy of Chocolate, 2015. Naive certainly has a strong focus on their packaging, which has rich graphics and photographs. Another example can be seen in my review of another Naive bar: Nicalizo Nicaragua 72% cocoa

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Qantu Peru Bagua 70% cacao

The taste is fruity and flavorful. There are some faint citrus, but more cherry and pear notes are present. The bitterness is moderate and the aftertaste is sweet. 9.5

Organic ingredients: cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

 
The bar's mold has a nice but subtle design.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Theo Organic Pure Dark 70% cacao

This is a straightforward chocolate bar, not complex in flavor or bitterness. The bitterness is fairly mild, and the flavor is a roasted chocolate. Aftertaste is moderate in duration and strength. 7.0

Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter
Organic

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Monsoon Uganda Semuliki Forest 74% cacao

The first taste is mild but dry. There are fruit flavors as well, cherry and berry. The dry profile adds a toasty aspect to the experience. Aftertaste is also mild and dry. 8.0

I tasted another Monsoon bar about a year ago: Monsoon Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 77% cacao It is a good read.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Moka Origins Ghana Suhum 72% cacao

This bar is very rich in chocolate flavors. This, plus a bitterness which is a bit astringent, masks other flavors.The predominant note is earthy, but there is a toasty roasted flavor as well. 7.2

www.mokaorigins.com

Ingredients: Organic Cocoa Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Cocoa Butter

This chocolate maker has invested a lot of heart and thought into their label, both the outside and the inside. In addition to the story of the growers in Ghana and details on the cacao's growing environment, a summary of the bean to bar manufacturing process is included. Much of this information is also available on the website linked above.





Sunday, February 7, 2021

Valrhona Madagascar Manjari 64% cacao

In 2009 I reviewed this bar:

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Manjari Fresh and Tangy 64% cacao

It has new packaging, but otherwise the taste is the same -- very fruity and flavorful. I rated that bar an "8" and now I will update the rating to 8.6. 

You may notice that the label is discolored. This is not the fault of Valrhona. We have been wiping down the items we receive with alcohol, and that is causing some discoloration of the label for this bar and others. Hopefully we can stop doing that soon.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Valrhona Ecuador Alpaco 66% cacao

In 2010 I reviewed Valrhona's Alpaco bar:

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Alpaco "floral & oaky" 66% cacao

The review was fairly neutral on the bar, but Valrhona has repackaged the bar, so ten years later is a good time to take another look. 

The taste experience has a gently, fruity start, with some sweet floral notes, perhaps orange blossom. The aftertaste is smooth with an unassuming finish. The bar is quite enjoyable. 8.3


Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Mission Chocolate Brasil Fazenda Camboa 70% cacao

This bar has a sweet plum flavor in front of the cacao. The impact is gentle and has low bitterness. The cacao base stays through to the aftertaste. Overall, a delicious experience. 9.2

missionchocolate.com

The link above visits the "About Us" page of Mission Chocolate's webpage. The company makes its chocolate in Sao Paola, Brazil, but the chocolatier who created the bar has affiliation with our local craft chocolate maker, Dandelion Chocolate.

Monday, January 4, 2021

Castronovo Columbia Katansama 80% cacao

This bar has high cacao content, so it is no surprise that the taste is robust and bitter. This leads to a taste profile which is earthy, with mushrooms and game parts. The secondary tastes are roasted and a little smoky. The aftertaste is fairly short and clean for all of this. 8.8