Intrigue Chocolate Co. - Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) - Apr. 27, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate Co. 
Uganda Kisinga 78% 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 #3 of Chocolate & Uganda Week.

Today's Uganda Kisinga 78% Cacao (bar) (Batch 000000022124) bar was made by Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*

The cacao used to make this bar was "mostly Trinitario and Amelonado" (cacao varieties) from Uganda (Region: Rwenzori, Kisinga microlot). Harvest year: 2022.

Aroma and flavor notes included: a relatively faint aroma, but the dark chocolate (true chocolate-y) flavor was rich and satisfying as were the subtly complex secondary notes: mixed citrus (orange, kumquat, Meyer Lemon, candied pink grapefruit) marmalade, toasted nuts (Brazil nut, almond butter), dates; and very faint, very fleeting herbal-floral (almost jasmine).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a satisfying melt, with a very small amount of balanced dryness/astringency toward the finish.

I enjoyed the chocolate-y flavor and relatively subtle complexity in this bar and appreciated the opportunity to try this Kisinga Uganda cacao (micro-batch bar). I found myself leaning forward and going on a tasting treasure hunt through a tropical forest when I tried this chocolate.

The sweetness level (78% cacao) seemed like a good choice for dark lovers. The cacao had natural fruit sweetness (and well-balanced tartness, acidity, and characteristics of a fine Trinitario cacao). Less cacao and more sugar might retain a sense of citrus brightness, but mask some valuable/interesting flavor nuances.

Maker's tasting notes: "This origin yields chocolatey dense/rich flavors of baked dates, candied lemon and grapefruit peels, and almond butter."

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

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

*Note: Intrigue may be relocating to Chisholm, MN soon. But, online orders will still be possible according to the owners.

Hapa Chocolat - M.B.P. Uganda Distinct Flavors By Origin - Mango, Banana, Pineapple (bar) - Apr. 26, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Hapa Chocolat 
M.B.P. Uganda - Mango, Banana Pineapple (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 2.22 oz. (63 g.) in total bar
Calories: 339 calories (estimate) in 1 bar
Cost: $10.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Hapa Chocolat, online order

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate & Uganda Theme Week.

Today's M.B.P.* Uganda Distinct Flavors By Origin: Mango, Banana, Pineapple (bar) (Harvest: 2022, Batch #10) was created by Hapa Chocolat, LLC (Los Gatos, CA) using cacao from Uganda (Semuliki Forest) and three fruits that mirror naturally occurring cacao flavors.

Aroma and flavor notes include: dark chocolate and tropical fruits (pineapple, banana, mango and cacao pulp/fruit).

Texture: smooth dark chocolate with a slight crunchy granularity (finely ground, likely freeze-dried fruit particles) that all melted/chewed down together nicely by the finish. 

I enjoyed: 1.) the texture and flavor arc; 2.) authentic fruit flavors that mirrored/complemented naturally occurring cacao (fruit pulp) flavors; and 3.) the short list of ingredients.

Ingredients: "Chocolate (organic cacao, cacao butter, sugar), Banana, Pineapple, Mango"

Allergen-related information: "Soy Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free"

*I am assuming that M.B.P. stands for Mango, Banana and Pineapple.