Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) - May 1, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar

Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate & Uganda Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Spices Week.

Today's Cinnamon + Long Pepper 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).* (This bar was a collaboration with Viscon Cellars (Seattle, WA).

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzururu; Semuliki Forest; Harvest year: 2022.)

Aroma and flavor notes included: dark chocolate, (chocolate-y); warm spice (cinnamon); faint, diffuse tropical fruit (light citrus, passion fruit) and stone fruit (very faint plum jam); and spicy pepper. The Long Pepper was slightly spicier than black peppercorns found in the U.S.; and had a very faint warm spice (ginger-like) note.

Texture: smooth, with a relatively buttery melt.

I enjoyed the well-executed, balanced flavors, the short list of ingredients, and the sweetness level--that added a slight brightness to the spice flavors. (It was sweet without being overly so.)

Maker's tasting notes: "This chocolate has a soft but highly-complex woodsy spice that complements the aromas of sweet tobacco and ripe plum of Viscon's 2022 Paradigm (100% Malbec) wine. 

Successful chocolate and red wine pairings require skill. Fortunately, this bar was designed by a chef and chocolate maker who possessed that skill.

Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, cassia cinnamon, long pepper.

Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)

*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.