Chocolate of the Day
Xocolatl
85% 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 #9 of Chocolate and Peru Theme Week.
Today's 85% Dark Chocolate Peru (bar) was made from bean-to-bar by Xocolatl LLC (Atlanta, GA).
This ultra-dark 85% cacao bar follows the 70% Dark Chocolate Peru (bar). Both these Xocolatl bars were made using Pangoa Peru cacao that 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 notes for this bar included: dark, dense chocolate with faint, dried fruit; very faint fleeting (not unpleasant) umami (only after first unwrapped); and black licorice.
Flavor notes included: deep, very dark (yet still balanced) chocolate; robust cocoa/well-done brownies with embers of tart fruit (cherry + lemon marmalade). Very faint warm spice. Medium-to-long finish.
The brighter flavors in yesterday's 70% version of 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)."
Today's 85% bar still had the fruity heart of a bold Trinitario cacao, even though it was bolder and denser.
I appreciated the balanced fullness of this ultra-dark chocolate infused with rich, stewed fruit (citrus/lemon marmalade with prune, stone fruit, cherry) flavors--all conjured from just three organic ingredients.
I really enjoyed comparing yesterdays' sweet 70% sibling (made with cacao from the same Peru co-operative) with today's 85% more somber, less bright, less sunny and less sweet version. Pairing the two was enlightening, and would make a very educational side-by-side pair for a chocolate tasting/class.
Maker's Tasting Notes: "Profile: Bright, clean citrus with lively acidity & low sweetness"
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.
