Chocolate of the Day
To'ak Chocolate
Chocolate Alchemy - Andean Mints 65% Cacao (bar)
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) in total package
Calories: 360 calories in 1 package (4 smaller bars)
Cost: $16.00 for 1 package of 4 smaller bars
Purchased from: To'ak Chocolate, online order
Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and the Mint Family Theme Week.
Today's Chocolate Alchemy - Andean Mints 65% cacao bar(s) were created by To'ak (Tierra & Arbol S.A.S.) / To'ak International Inc. (Quito, Ecuador).
The heirloom cacao used to make this chocolate (from tree-to-bar) was sourced from Piedra del Plata, Manabi, Ecuador. And the four different mint flavors used grow in the Andes region.
Inside the attractively illustrated package were four, smaller, gold foil-wrapped, square bars. And, pleasant surprise, rather than a mint melange, each bar featured a different mint: Sunfo, Ecuadorian Tipo, Peru Muna and Yerbabuena.
Sunfo
Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate and bold but balanced mint (spearmint + sage).
Equadorian Tipo
Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, mellow mint (mild peppermint + sage + marshmallow and very faint lemon balm), and very faint nut (peanut).
Peruvian Muna
Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate and subtle smoky/savory (lemon) mint + gentle sage. Light astringency. Lovely nuanced mint notes in this one.
Yerbabuena
Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate and vibrant mint with floral (light geranium, malva), light citrus (lemon) and very faint pepper and tomato notes. Incredible symphony of flavors.
The dark chocolate was good; but the four amazing mints stole the show. I liked the sweetness level; i.e. there was enough sweetness to add brightness, but the sugar didn't eclipse the four unique and authentic Andean mint flavors.
I appreciated the care taken to make this a true, single origin Ecuador dark chocolate, with both heirloom cacao and different mints that grow in the region.
Ingredients: "Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), sunfo/yerba buena/ecuadorian tipo/peruvian muna (each mini bar contains one type of Andean mint), cacao butter"
Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of milk, soy, or nuts."