Chocolate of the Day

Qantu 
Tresor Cache - Edition Limitee - 80% Chocolat Noir Cacao Sauvage (tablette)
(Hidden Treasure - Limited Edition - 80% Dark Chocolate Wild Cacao (bar))
Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 135 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $52.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Tresor Cache Limited Edition 80% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu* Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma and flavor notes for this rare bar included: complex, mild dark chocolate (cocoa) with notes that were buttery** and diffuse and included very faint tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, cacao, white grape); spice (barely there ginger, orchid/saffron floral); clean mineral; and very, very faint green botanical and fruity nut.

This relatively pale, warm brown-hued bar had a soft, buttery, fudge-like texture, melt and mouthfeel. 

The soft, subtle buttery and hidden fruit flavors were particularly remarkable for an 80% dark chocolate bar. These milder flavors and traits are associated with Criollo and heritage/"white" cacao beans--but this was very low in acidity, bitterness and bolder/roasted flavors.

I felt very fortunate to taste this rare Peruvian (Selva Central) wild cacao-based chocolate. I hope that high-priced bars like this one ($52.99 (USD)) encourages buyers to take time to enjoy this bar s-l-o-w-l-y. A big part of the enjoyment for me was detecting new, very subtle flavors in almost every bite.

Ingredients: "organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter"

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk and nuts 

*Founders Elfi and Maxime named their chocolate company Qantu (pronounced Kantu) -- also the name for the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. We can thank them for sharing rare, wild cacao from Peru with chocolate fans around the globe.

**There were no butter/dairy ingredients in this bar; but I was reminded of unsalted butter in the aroma, flavor and rich, smooth texture. 

Qantu - Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar) - July 24, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Qantu 
Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 143 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $17.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order 

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Palo Santo 70% Smoked Dark Chocolate (bar) was from Qantu* Cacao et Chocolat Inc. (Montreal, QC, Canada).

Aroma notes included: chocolate, very faint coconut milk, very faint mint/menthol (and even fainter dried citrus peel), smoked wood, and butter.**

This lighter brown-hued bar had a rich buttery texture, melt and mouthfeel.

Flavor notes included: buttery dark chocolate with very faint but complex smoke, wood, coconut butter and green botanicals and spices.

I enjoyed this rich, buttery dark chocolate infused with subtle, Palo Santo wood smoke. Palo Santo wood has a complex aroma and flavor, and the smoked version did as well. There were wisps of the aroma and flavor notes (mentioned above) that undulated through the tasting, and floated into the finish.

Maker's tasting notes: 

• Eye: medium pale brown
• Nose: floral, touch of bergamot
• Mouth: palo santo smoke, orange peel
• Finish: spicy like nutmeg

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, palo santo smoke

Allergen-related information: May contain traces of milk and nuts 

*Founders Elfi and Maxime named their chocolate company Qantu (pronounced Kantu) -- the national flower of Peru and Bolivia. Their focus: rare, wild cacao from Peru.

**There were no butter/dairy ingredients in this bar; but I was reminded of unsalted butter in the aroma, flavor and rich, smooth texture.

Cacao Space - Peru Ucayali River 70% w/ Dried Pineapple (bar) - July 23, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space
Peru Ucayali River 70% with dried pineapple (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar 
Cost: $24.00 for a Peru trio of 3 different bars
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Ucayali River 70% with dried pineapple (bar) was made by Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA). This chocolate was part of a trio of Peruvian (Ucayali) cacao-based dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate with very faint fruit (tart-sweet tropical and stone fruit), spice and brown sugar, and faint caramel, sweet coffee and butter.

Flavor notes included: a relatively nuanced (chocolate-y, buttery dark brownie); complex, tart-sweet fruit (sweet lemon, stone fruits (plum), pineapple), very faint botanicals/herbs (mild sweet lemon-green) and even fainter mellow roasted flavors.

Texture: This chocolate was "handcrafted (and) stoneground", but smooth. And the thinly sliced pieces of fresh-tasting, dried pineapple had a mild chew that complemented the relatively buttery dark chocolate very nicely. 

I really liked the complexity and the interplay of the fruit notes in this Peru bar. The dark chocolate was subtly complex; and I loved the pineapple. Each thin piece was tender, tasted sun-ripened and sweet, and it wasn't over-sugared. (thank you!). This pineapple blend with this chocolate hit the Goldilocks fruit zone for me. It was just right.

As with other single origin cacao bars, I recommend savoring this bar (slowly) and sampling more than just one bite to fully appreciate hidden flavor nuances -- that are not present in highly processed bulk chocolates. 

Ingredients: "cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar" + dried pineapples

Allergen-related information: (No allergen information was listed on packaging.)

*Ucayali River (and the Department of Ucayali) are located inland, in Peru's Amazon. The department shares a border with Brazil. 

Cacao Space - Peru Ucayali River 70% (bar) - July 22, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space
Peru Ucayali River 70% (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.13 oz. (32 g.) / 2.26 oz. (64 g.) in total bar
Calories: 175 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $24.00 for a Peru trio of 3 different bars
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Ucayali River 70% (bar) was made by Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA). This chocolate was part of a trio of Peruvian (Ucayali) cacao-based dark chocolate bars.

Aroma notes for this chocolate included: dark chocolate with very faint fruit, spice and brown sugar, and very faint (barely detectable) roasted, sweet coffee and butter.

Flavor notes included: relatively complex dark chocolate (very dark brownie), subtle tart-sweet fruit (sweet lemon, stone fruits (plum)), very faint botanicals, spices/herbs (black licorice, lemongrass, green grass, saffron) and mellow roasted flavors.

This chocolate was "handcrafted (and) stoneground", but smooth. 

I really enjoyed the gentle complexity, including a range of fruit and botanical notes in this Peru bar.

As with many single origin cacao bars, I highly recommend savoring (slowly) more than just one bite (1/2 bar is good in today's case) to detect and appreciate hidden nuances of flavor -- that are not present in highly processed bulk chocolates. Different, faint flavor notes continued to surface even after the first few bites. 

Ingredients: "cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar"

Allergen-related information: (No allergen information was listed on packaging.)

*Ucayali River (and the Department of Ucayali) are located inland, in Peru's Amazon. The department shares a border with Brazil.

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Peru Ucayali 70% (bar) - July 21, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Peru Ucayali 70% (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 160 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $16.00 for 1 bar 
Purchased from: Goodnow Farms Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Ucayali 70% (bar) was made by Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA). 

The company specializes in single origin bars--some with high-end flavor and/or spice inclusions. This 70% dark chocolate was part of the bean-to-bar maker's Signature Line.

Aroma notes for this award-winning chocolate included: dark chocolate with very faint, diffuse stone fruit (peach, plum) and spices notes.

Flavor notes also included: relatively complex dark chocolate (very dark brownie), faint earth/loam,  yogurt, and tart-sweet fruit (sweet lemon, nectarine) in the finish. Subsequent bites revealed hints of sweet green and faint tropical fruit and spices (mangosteen, passion fruit, cardamom). 

This Peru bar seemed to get more interesting with every bite. 

The texture was smooth, with an appealing melt. It did have a very faint and fleeting (fruit) astringency toward the finish in the first bite. But, this feeling of "dryness"/faint graininess diminished as I re-tasted the chocolate. 

Back to flavors...There was also a very slight (barely detectable) bitterness that seemed to be just out of range--providing some delicate oomph, but not interfering with the lighter and brighter sweetness.

I really enjoyed the range of subtly complex fruit notes in this well-executed palette pleaser. 

I highly recommend savoring more than just one bite (1/2 bar is good) to get the full "unfolding" effect(s). I was still tasting slightly different flickers of fruit and other goodness even after several bites.

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter,

Allergen-related information: "May contain trace amounts of peanuts and tree nuts." "Soy Free, Vegan, Gluten Free"

*The department of Ucayali is named for the Ucayali River and is located inland in a rainforest area.

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Herbaceous Green Sichuan Pepper Peru 70% Cacao (bar) - July 20, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Herbaceous Green Sichuan Pepper Peru 70% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ 
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Goodnow Farms Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #11 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week; and Day #1 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Herbaceous Green Sichuan Pepper Peru 70% Cacao (bar) was made by Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA), in collaboration with 50Hertz Tingly Foods. 

Aroma notes included: chocolate and uplifting, complex and aromatic spice (aromatic herbal green, very bright citrus-y pepper/spice, mint/menthol, and very faint floral). While it's easy to attribute most of these notes to the green sichuan pepper, the Peruvian cacao used to make this bar also had herbal and flower notes, that may have amplified the overall aroma.

Texture: satisfying smooth, buttery texture, with some bright astringency in the finish.

Flavor notes included: chocolate, and very flavorful spice (peppercorn) and tingling, bright citrus-menthol note(s) that lingered long into the finish. (I can still taste it minutes after tasting; like I just brushed my teeth with a chocolate citrus-pepper and orange mint toothpaste.)

I enjoyed this boldly herbal bar. The green pepper was low on heat, but off the charts in terms of aroma and flavor. (This also speaks to the pepper's quality and freshness.) 

Not many spices (besides ginger and certain hot chili peppers) can stand up to, and even surpass, dark chocolate flavors.

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter, Dried Green Sichuan Pepper

Allergen-related information: "Soy Free, Vegan, Gluten Free" 

*These small peppercorns are the berries from a tree that is a member of the citrus family. They have a unique tingling, almost temporary numbing quality (like drinking a carbonated drink). 

Both cacao and this pepper are fairly rich in iron and other minerals, have been prized by nobles, and can work well in both sweet or savory dishes.

Goodnow Farms Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Black Urfea Chili Dominican Republic 77% Cacao (bar) - July 19, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Goodnow Farms Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Black Urfea Chili Dominican Republic 77% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: .97 oz. (27.5 g.) / 1.94 oz. (55 g.) in total bar
Calories: 165 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar (also sold in multi-bar sets/collections)
Purchased from: Goodnow Farms Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Spices Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Black Urfea Chili Dominican Republic 77% Cacao (bar) was from Goodnow Farms Chocolate (Sudbury, MA). 

The company handcrafts a variety of single origin chocolate bars--some with unique flavor inclusions  based on collaborations with other fine food providers. (I enjoyed the company's Good Food Award winning Caramelized Onion bar yesterday.) Today's bar contained Urfa chili* from Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices.

Aroma notes for this chili spice-infused bar included: dark chocolate, clean mineral, and very faint chili pepper.

The texture was very smooth, with an appealing melt and mouthfeel. (The makers press their own single origin cocoa butter.)

The relatively bold 77% Dominican Republic (Zorzal) cacao chocolate had a very faint, balanced dark earth and slightly bitter flavor that complemented the mild chili taste. 

I enjoyed trying a new (for me) spice blended with chocolate, even though it was a challenge to pin down the subtly complex chili flavors. There was a barely there spicy heat, and very faint, bright (citrus) and clean top notes (a bit similar to grains of paradise, certain peppercorns, cardamom and maybe saffron).

Ingredients: Single Origin Cacao Beans, Organic Cane Sugar, Single Origin Cocoa Butter, Black Urfa Chili

Allergen-related information: "May contain trace amounts of peanuts and tree nuts." "Soy Free, Vegan, Gluten Free"

*Black Urfa chili hails from Turkey. Sun-cured (and fermented) Urfa chili pepper flakes are typically ground together with salt and sunflower or olive oil. This chili has been described as having slight smoky, earthy, sweet and acidic notes as well as chocolate, coffee and pepper notes.