75% cacao
Origin: Sao Thome
Appearance:
Peeling open the silver foil pouch reveals rustic chunks of chocolate, the color of damp soil. There are three hand- poured slabs stacked on top of one another. Crystalline bits of candied orange peel stud the surface.
Snap:
Thick and well tempered, the chocolate produces a crisp deep snap
Aroma:
aggressive and pungent. Slightly automotive and toxic/headachey… Goes straight to the brain. Once the initial burst subsides, there is a scent of cedar and toasted nuts.
Mouthfeel:
Rustic texture. The chocolate itself does not melt easily; instead it dissolves slowly. It’s quite dry. The crystalline matrix around the candied orange peel gives way to gummy bits.
Taste:
At first pungent and heady, like a shot of grappa. This is quite unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. The aroma overwhelms you as you open the bag and paints a masculine image in your head. As that first bite dissolves, a sweetness and mild chocolatiness emerges. It’s surprising how mellow the taste is, considering the initial strength of the smell. The orange peel adds a burst of flavor here and there.
Overall: A challenging and pungent chocolate. Not my personal preference, but an interesting experience nonetheless.
