Intrigue Chocolate - Peru Maranon River Valley 60% Cacao (bar) - Aug. 18, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Peru Maranon River Valley 60% Cacao (bar) 
Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $6.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Maranon River Valley 60% Cacao (bar) was from Intrigue Chocolate (Chisholm, MN).

This bar was made with a Nacional (variety) cacao (2024 harvest) from northwest Peru. Maranon refers to the original name for the Amazon River--a name still used for the part of the Amazon that transits through Peru.

This rare cacao "was thought to be lost for over 100 years..." By being isolated in a remote area ("the upper upper reaches of a mountain valley"), this beloved-by-many varietal was preserved.

Aroma notes for this bar included: dark chocolate, fruit (honeyed fig, mulberry), very faint wine/pleasantly fermented fruit (that part faded after opening); and sweet green botanical/nut (walnut).

Texture: smooth, slightly stoneground/astringent feel but with a creamy melt. 

Flavor notes included: very tasty chocolate with a rich, naturally sweet bouquet of flavors that included fresh and dried fruits (fig, mulberry), and sweet nut/sweet green botanical (young/green walnuts in syrup), honey, fig cookie.

I loved the hearty, honey-ed fruit and nut flavors inherent in this chocolate. And I appreciated the successful choice of a 60% cacao + raw cane sugar. Decadent and delicious chocolate made from only three ingredients.

Maker's tasting notes: "...flavors of honey, lightly burnt caramel, macadamia nut (with a lingering nutty astringency), white mulberry, and a jasmine floral note." 

Ingredients: "Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter." 

Allergen-related information: (No allergens listed on label.)

*From what I understand, Spanish explorer, Francisco de Orellana is credited with the name "Las Amazonas," after encountering indigenous women who reminded him of the Amazon women of legend. The Spanish and Portuguese over time continued to use this name. When translated into English, this name became "The Amazon(s) (River)."