Chocolate of the Day
Xocolatl
70% Dark Chocolate Peru (bar)
Good ++
Weight: 1.3 oz. (37.5 g.) / 2.6 oz. (75 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $11.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Xocolatl, online order
Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.
Today's 70% Dark Chocolate Peru (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA). Xocolatl, the company's packaging reminds us, "was the original Aztec word for chocolate."
The cacao used to make this bar was "directly sourced from the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera, a cooperative of coffee & cacao farmers in Pangoa, Peru." (San Martin de Pangoa is located in the Central Amazon region of Peru.)
Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: confidently complex (smooth but assertive) dark chocolate with tart fruit (cherry, lemon preserves) and medium acidity. Very faint butter, warm spice. Medium-to-long finish.
Speculation: If I had to guess the cacao variety...This dark chocolate reminded me of a Trinitario-like cacao variety--with relatively bold cocoa, fruit and citrus notes; and less like some Forastero cacao varieties that are more dark and dense (less 3-dimensional, with less complex fruit).
I enjoyed this well-executed and thoughtfully sourced dark chocolate. The balanced fullness of the tart and jammy cacao flavors (all made possible from just three organic ingredients) was especially satisfying.
Maker's Tasting Notes: "Profile: Fruit preserves, baking spices, complex with a long finish."
Ingredients: Cacao*, Cane Sugar*, Cocoa Butter* (* organic)
Allergen-related information: Made on equipment that processes peanuts, soy, wheat & tree nuts (almond, coconut, hazelnut, pecan). Vegan.
