Cacao Prieto - Orchid bar - Nov. 9, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao Prieto
Orchid bar
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Prieto, online order

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

Floral flavors and notes in chocolate are often the first to be lost, or overpowered by acidic or bittersweet notes in dark chocolate.

So, it was a pleasure to be able to unfurl this attractively-wrapped Orchid bar from Cacao Prieto (Brooklyn, NY) to taste a few squares of smooth, 72% single origin (Dominican Republic), organic dark chocolate infused with authentic-tasting orchid oil.

Vanilla comes from an orchid, so this is not such a far-fetched flavor blend as it first sounds. And it was fun to try. I do recommend finishing a bar like this fairly quickly though, as some of the most subtle floral notes do tend to dissipate over a short period once a package or bar is opened.

Cacao Prieto - Mandarin and Bergamot bar - Nov. 8, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao Prieto
Mandarin and Bergamot bar
Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1/3 bar
Cost: $8.00
Purchased from: Cacao Prieto, online order

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Theme Week.

I'm enjoying a few more flavored dark bars from Cacao Prieto (Brooklyn, NY) this week, made with organic, single origin cacao from a family-owned plantation in the Dominican Republic.

Today's Cacao Prieto Mandarin and Bergamot bar hit the flavor trifecta, with well-balanced winning fruity citrus, herby floral, and light spice notes. (Bergamot is one of predominant flavors in Earl Grey tea.) The 72% dark chocolate base was agreeably smooth with a slightly buttery melt and mouth feel. 

Cacao Prieto - Dominican Spice - Nov. 7, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Cacao Prieto
Dominican Spice bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight:  .75 oz. (21.3 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 113 calories (estimate) for 1/4 bar
Cost: $8.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cacao Prieto (online order)

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate and Holiday Spices Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Dominican Republic Week.

Cacao Prieto (Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY) is a "beans-to-bar" chocolate maker. The makers -- Daniel (Prieto) Preston and team -- are fortunate to have access to cacao beans from the Coralina Farms plantation in the Dominican Republic, owned by the Prieto family. According to the Cacao Prieto website, this 100% organic plantation has been producing cacao for more than 100 years.

Today's Cacao Prieto Dominican Spice 72% dark bar was made from Organic Criollo Dominican cacao. Criollo beans are known for their subtle, fine flavors.

The chocolate had a pleasing buttery melt and texture; and the smooth dark flavor possessed a hint of slight bitterness in the aftertaste. It was difficult to taste any nuanced Criollo cacao flavor notes, as the wonderfully balanced blend of warm island spices -- cloves, cassia, nutmeg and cardamon -- gave this bar its predominant aroma and flavor.