Chocolate(s) of the Day
Rimini Chocolate
1.) Tahitian Vanilla - Good + - Good ++
2.) Single Origin Dark - Good ++
3.) Raspberry Caramel - Good ++ - Good +++
4.) Spiced Orange Caramel - Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 4 pieces out of a total 25-piece box
Calories: (No information; this was a gift)
Cost: $ N/A - gift from family (Thank you Megan!)
Purchased from: N/A - Mother's Day gift
Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate and Italy Theme Week.
Today's four filled chocolates: Tahitian Vanilla, Single Origin Dark and Raspberry Caramel, were from Rimini Chocolate (Colorado).
After spending time in Rimini, Italy, owner and chocolatier Michael Schneider opened two Italian-inspired gelato and chocolate shops in Vail and Beaver Creek (CO) in the U.S.
Filled chocolates tend to have fainter aromas. The notes I could detect for these Italian-inspired, high-end chocolates included: faint chocolate and authentic spice and fruit notes.
These attractive chocolates had skillfully executed blends texture and taste.
Tahitian Vanilla flavor notes included: rich, flowing sweet caramel filling (balanced with a slightly earthy note in the dark shell, and faint, authentic vanilla bean. Aroma notes also included very faint, sweet tart green (oxalis).
The Single Origin* Dark chocolates were filled with a silky smooth dark ganache. Very pleasing on the palette. The thin dark shell that surrounded the ganache was smooth and flavorful. Aroma notes also included rich cocoa and a very faint fruit.
The Raspberry Caramel chocolate had an exceptionally good silky chocolate caramel ganache with a heavenly texture: light and lofty and almost flowing. All this was heightened by authentic sweet tart red raspberry infused flavor (the best fresh raspberry jam you can imagine, without the seeds). Aroma notes also included subtle, fresh raspberry fruit. This was a favorite.
The Spiced Orange Caramel was just as wonderful as the Raspberry Caramel. The same rich but yet light and fluffy at the same time (an apparent contradiction skillfully achieved). The spice and orange and chocolate flavors were in perfect balance.
The chocolates in this 25-piece assortment box were well-executed in every respect. The couverture thicknesses were just right. The ganaches were silky smooth. The flavors were fresh and authentic. Everything was well-balanced--smooth yet flavorful. They were not over-sugared. And their elegant, hand "painted" appearance(s) made them perfect for a special gift.
Ingredients: (Received as a gift; outside packaging/information had been removed.)
Allergen-related information: (May have contained milk.) (No information.)
*The cacao origin wasn't listed; it tasted like a high-end, smooth dark chocolate.
