Intrigue Chocolate - Peru Ucayali Valley 60% Cacao (bar) Aug. 19, 2025

Chocolate of the Day

Intrigue Chocolate
Peru Ucayali 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 #6 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.

Today's Peru Ucayali Valley 60% Cacao bar (Batch #000000090424) was made and distributed by Intrigue Chocolate (Chisholm, MN).

The mixed varietal cacao beans from Ucayali River Cacao (that works with 400 farmers) used to make this chocolate were grown in the Ucayali River region (harvested in 2022) in eastern-central Peru. The Ucayali River joins the Maranon River forming a key source of the Amazon River.

Aroma and flavor notes for this Peru bar included: dark chocolate with a seductive complex sweetness that includes mellow, multi-dimensional dried fruit (fig, peach, subtle apricot, honey-ed ripe/dried pear, and cacao pulp); and nut (young/green walnuts in syrup, gently roasted almond/hazelnut).

My favorite foods (and chocolates) are made with three ingredients or less. Fermented cacao seeds (beans) in capable hands can produce outstanding results. 

I loved and appreciated the delicious, well-rounded and thoughtfully executed, aroma and flavors elicited from just cacao, raw cane sugar and cocoa butter in today's bar.

Today's bar also demonstrated why 70% is not necessarily the best choice for every cacao variety and/or chocolate. Just the right amount and type of (less processed) sugar were used to highlight the natural brightness and richness of this 60% cacao banquet of a bar. 

Maker's tasting notes: "This chocolate has notes of ripe pear, white clover flowers, and roasted barley malt. It has low bitterness and astringency, but full-bodied chocolatiness."

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

Allergen-related information: (None listed on packaging.)

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)."