Cacao Space - Bolivia Alto Beni 75% with Mission figs - Oct. 21, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space

Bolivia Alto Beni 75% with Mission figs (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 2.8 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 217 calories (estimate) for 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order + local pickup (Los Altos, CA)

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

Today's Bolivia Alto Beni 75% dark chocolate with Mission figs (bar) was from Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA).

Aroma notes included: dark chocolate, dried fruit (fig), and very faint (barely detectable) fresh bread/soda cracker.

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with chewy pieces of dark fig.

Flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, faint molasses, dried figs, and very faint fleeting floral green tea.

I enjoyed that this 75% dark chocolate was well-balanced, relatively complex (with hearty flavors that were heavenly and not harsh), and this was not too sweet (thank you).

Ingredients: cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar, Mission figs

Allergen-related information: (None listed)

Cacao Space - Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar) - Oct. 20, 2024

Chocolate of the Day

Cacao Space

Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar)
Good + -  Good ++
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 2.12 oz. (60 g.) in total bar
Calories: 164 calories (estimate) for 1/2 bar
Cost: $9.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Space, online order + local pickup (Los Altos, CA)

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

Today's Bolivia Alto Beni 75% (bar) was from Cacao Space (Los Altos, CA).

Aroma notes included: subtle dark chocolate, and faint floral and green tea.

Texture: smooth, with a faint astringency toward the finish.

Flavor notes included: true chocolate (fudge brownies with light earth/loam, yogurt and fruit (acidity)), very subtle warm brown/coconut sugar, and a return of the pleasing floral, green tea note in the finish.

I liked that this 75% single origin dark chocolate wasn't too sweet; the floral, green tea note(s); and the short list of (just two) ingredients. 

Note: This small-batch chocolate maker seems to have chosen not to add (additional) cocoa butter, which I appreciated. Alto Beni Bolivia beans typically contain a bit more fat (as much as 5% to 10% more cocoa butter). Being able to use the naturally occurring cocoa butter yields more single origin cacao flavor.

Added cocoa butter adds some pleasant "buttery" smooth texture, but it can also mute or dilute (both strong and desirable, mild) flavors--as the cacao butter may be from a different origin or more highly processed.

Ingredients: cacao nibs, organic coconut sugar

Allergen-related information: (None listed)

* As a general rule, cacao beans contain about half cocoa solids and half cocoa butter (fat). Cacao beans with 55% cocoa butter (fat), may require less added fat. Cacao growing in cooler regions, or further away from the Equator (e.g. in Hawaii) may have more fat. Leaner beans grown at the Equator may contain as low as 40% fat.