Chocolate Story - Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar) - Sept. 26, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Manufaktura Czekolody

(Chocolate Story)

Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar)

Good + - Good ++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 170.25 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $9.50 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

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

Today's Ghana 100% Cocoa (bar) was by Manufaktura Czekology (Chocolate Story) in Poland.

The aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): green/flower stalks, true chocolate (brownie), very faint, fleeting sweet red fruit/berry, molasses, and vegetable (potato/potato chip).

Flavor notes included: well-done, ultra-dark chocolate brownie batter and fire-roasted nut butter, with a balanced bitterness with a light astringency, and a mild-to-moderate sour acidity (grapefruit) in the finish. Charcoal-roasted brownie was what stuck in my mind.

Having tried both 70% and 100% Ghana bars from Chocolate Story, I'm curious what an 85% to cocoa bar, made with this same cacao, might taste like. The 70% was sweet, fruity and lively with layered chocolate depth, and quite pleasing. I'm wondering if an 85% might result in a happy medium, that might be just right. Perhaps the makers did try this and decided to go with this fiery 100%er instead.

Maker's tasting notes: "roasted wood, caramel, nuts."

Ingredients: 100% cocoa beans from Ghana.

Allergen-related information: This product may contain milk, nuts.

 

Chocolate Story - Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar) - Sept. 25, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Manufaktura Czekolody

(Chocolate Story)

Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar)

Good ++ -  Good+++

Weight: .9 oz. (25 g.) / 1.8 oz. (50 g.) in total bar

Calories: 149.25 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $8.50 (+ summer shipping) for 1 bar

Purchased from: Bar and Cocoa, online order

Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Ghana Theme Week. 

The Republic of Ghana is a West African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean, about the size of Oregon or Wyoming in the U.S. Ghana is currently the second largest cacao producing country in the world. 

Today's Ghana 70% Cocoa Grand Cru (bar) was created by Manufaktura Czekology (Chocolate Story) in Poland.

The aroma notes for this bar included (in order of appearance): fudge brownie, molasses, faint green (stalks), vegetable (potato chip), faint sweet mixed fruit + grape jelly, and very faint warm spice (brown sugar caramel and cinnamon)...and a few minutes later, faint, mineral (calcium) and green floral (orchid).

Flavor notes included: dark chocolate cake, brown sugar, very subtle fruit (fresh, ripe wine grapes), dried fruit (prune). 

This fudge-y, chocolate-y bar with touches of fruit and other flavors will likely appeal across the board to dark chocolate aficionados. It was smooth and naturally sweet, but with enough complexity and style to go beyond a mere confection. And it was bold without being too acidic or bitter.

Maker's tasting notes: "a delicate dried grape flavor at first with the taste of caramel, nougat and roasted nuts."

Ingredients: Roasted cocoa beans from Ghana (70%), sugar. (Cocoa solids 70% min.)

Allergen-related information: May contain milk, nuts.