Wednesday, February 28, 2018

White Label Chocolate - Madagascar Sambirano Valley 68% bar - Feb. 28, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

White Label Chocolate 
Madagascar Sambirano Valley 68% bar
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.15 oz. (32.5 g.) /2.3 oz. (65 g.) in total bar
Calories: 172 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Purchased from: Mutari Chocolate, Santa Cruz, CA 


Welcome to Day #14 of Chocolate, Enchanted Islands and Pirates Theme Week. Once again, a seven-day week has turned into a two weeker. 

But this theme week(s) wouldn't be complete without a chocolate made with cacao from Madagascar—an enchanted isle full of baobob trees, lemurs, vanilla, cacao, black pepper and pirates.

Yes, this enchanted island also has had problems with maritime skullduggery in the past. But, while that is interesting, let's focus on today's Madagascar Sambirano Valley 68% bar from White Label Chocolate (Santa Cruz, CA)—made from Trinitario and Criollo cacao beans grown in Madagascar (2015 Harvest).

Unwrap this bar and hold it up to the light at different angles and you'll see the red hue that's associated with Madagascan cacao. Try this bar and you'll taste citrus tart fruit, red berry and acidity, flavors common with Madagascar bars. There was also a very slight black pepper note with this bar.

Tasting notes for this bar read as follows: Roasted nuts, ripe red fruit, raspberry.

I was fortunate to visit the factory and store (Mutari Chocolate in Santa Cruz, CA), where the company's bean-to-bar single origin bars are made. The makers at White Label offer a tour and tasting options (flights of drinking chocolates) to customers. Bars can also be ordered online.

Thank you to the staff and founders/owners for taking a moment away from important roasting and retail activities to say hello. Look forward to coming back for a tasting.










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