Chocolate of the Day
Sabadi
Il Cioccolato di Pantelleria 83% (tavoletta)
(The Chocolate of Pantelleria 83% (bar))
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 235.5 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $8.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Caputo's, online order
Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Salt Theme Week.
Today's Il Cioccolato di Pantelleria* 83% cacao (bar) was from Sabadi srl (Modica, Sicily, Italy).
This was a cold-processed organic chocolate with caper berries and "flower of salt." The cacao used to make this bar was from Ecuador; and the caper berries were from the island of Pantelleria--known for its high-quality caper berries.
Aroma and flavor notes included: rich, fudge-y, and smooth ultra-dark chocolate (chocolate-y, very faint earth and fruit), with delicate savory (caper berry) and satisfying salt notes.
Texture: smooth fudge-y texture. It had the freshness and initial feel of a rustic, stone-ground chocolate, but with a hearty, smooth melt and mouthfeel. An excellent blend of characteristics. (There was also no added cocoa butter, as is the style associated with Modica chocolates.)
I loved everything about this bar: the dark but smooth cacao flavor and fudge-y texture; the savory yet almost floral caper berries (unopened flower buds cured in salt) notes and the "flower" salt.
Full disclosure: I enjoy trying savory flavors; and I tend to like these better than your average chocolate lover. But, this had a special balance to it that I think most dark lovers will really appreciate. The tie-in with special places in Italy (Modica, Sicily--with its own unique chocolate making history--and the island of Pantelleria) made this chocolate all the more pleasing.
Ingredients: Cocoa mass^#+ -- origin: Ecuador -- variety: Nacional Fino de Aroma; cane sugar^#, Caperberries^ (min. 1.5%), flower of salt (min: 0.5%). Cocoa: 83% minimum. (^ = organic; # = presidio slow food; + = from fair trade producers.)
Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, milk, and soy." Gluten Free, Vegan
*Pantelleria is a volcanic Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea (Sicilian Strait). It is relatively isolated and rugged. (It was used as a place of banishment by the Romans long ago.) But, it also has aspects of an island paradise (vacation destination). I visualize tasting all sorts of tasty savory dishes with capers with a side of sweet local wine.
