Sunday, April 16, 2023

Pacific Resources International - Coffee Dark Chocolate Patties Manuka Honey - Apr. 16, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Pacific Resources International
Coffee - Dark Chocolate Patties Manuka Honey 
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.07 oz. (30.3 g.) / 5 oz. (141.5 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Coffee Dark Chocolate Patties with Manuka Honey* were distributed by Pacific Resources International (Carpinteria, CA).

Aroma notes for these patties--individually swaddled in dark coffee-colored foil--included rich floral sweetness (saffron honey and other floral/botanical honey notes), bold, dark chocolate; and very faint, fleeting savory (Parmesan cheese).

Flavor notes followed the aroma notes and included: richly nuanced, sweet honey, quickly followed by bitter, unsweetened chocolate--a bold, slightly earthy, woodsy/nutty dark chocolate that lingered into the finish after the honey notes had subsided. The dark, slightly bitter notes were also joined by dark roast Arabica coffee--a flavor that surfaced in the finish, after the 99% dark chocolate melted away.

These patties were a perfect example of sweet and bitter, yin and yang, gold and ebony. The powerful, deep floral bouquet and sweetness of the Manuka honey was lovely. This honey from New Zealand, made by bees--from Manuka tree/flower nectar, is arguably one of the best on Earth. In stark contrast was the ultra-dark (99%) bitter dark chocolate. 

Both honey filling and dark chocolate had an appealingly smooth texture. The honey was silkier, and the dark chocolate was creamier.

I deeply appreciate layered flavors. And today's three-ingredient, bold honey + chocolate + coffee dessert parfait confection, delivered on this concept.

My favorite chocolates showcase a few, high-quality and well-executed flavor layers. A select few also deliver a magical resolve--from separate layers into a harmonious blend. 

In today's case, three strong flavors were well-cultivated and layered but not completely integrated. Is it fair to expect 99% harmony from a trio of flavor divas? No, it's not. Only a very few chocolates deliver both craft and magic. And this feat tends to be very flavor-dependent. 

Ingredients: "Manuka/Honey, 99% cocoa dark chocolate, arabica coffee (ground)"

Allergen-related information:  "Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Kosher-certified..."

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