Chocolate of the Day
Intrigue Chocolate Co.
Nutmeg + Chili 60% Cacao (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) in total bar
Nutmeg + Chili 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
Cost: $6.00 (estimate) for 1 bar
Purchased from: Intrigue Chocolate, online order
Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Warm Spices Week.
Today's Nutmeg + Chili 60% Cacao (bar) (Batch #000000091324) was from Intrigue Chocolate Co. (Seattle, WA).*
The cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador (Single Estate: Muisne Canton, Esmeraldas Province; Type: Ecuadorian Nacional hybrids**; Year: 2023)
Aroma and flavor notes included: smooth dark chocolate, warm spice (nutmeg), and spicy (hot, habanero) chili. There were also some pleasing, very faint and diffuse fruit (berry + stone fruit jam) and nut (almond butter) notes. (Note: there were no jam or almond ingredients in this chocolate.)
Texture: smooth, with a relatively buttery melt. (No spice or chili grit -- thank you!).
I enjoyed the lively flavors as well as the subtle complexities in this relatively sweet (60%) bar; the short list of quality ingredients; and the origin information. The sweetness added a brightness to the spice flavors. The habanero did pack a punch. Those sensitive to hot, spicy flavors may not love the hot pepper heat; but the "burn" receded relatively quickly.
Maker's tasting notes: "Inspired by our chef's first batch of chocolate truffles - the flavor inspiration that started it all back in 2001 - this bar packs a lot of complexity and some sweet heat...Try pairing it with full-bodied wines, beers, coffees, and teas..."
Ingredients: Roasted cacao nibs, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, nutmeg, vanilla bean, habanero chili.
Allergen-related information: (No information on package.)
*Note: the company is planning to relocate to Chisholm, MN.
**Ecuadorian Nacional hybrids: EET-95, EET-96, EET-103
