Chapter Sixteen: Guittard 85% Clair de Lune

This week we decided to try another bar from Guittard; we love our base bar and thought it would be interesting to compare it with a bar from the same chocolatier.  This bar is also Blend No. 49, but is 85% and has no added cocoa butter.  It is from the same three areas: Central America, South America, and the Caribbean and is also fair trade (which we love!).  This bar is called Clair de Lune which means moonlight in French.

Tasting No. : 14

Guittard 85%, bittersweet, blend no. 49, Clair de Lune

Initial Impressions:

Much firmer bite and snap than base bar.  It is not as creamy, and drier which is probably due to there being no added cocoa butter.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – earthy, soil

Middle – cherry, raisin

After – vanilla, coffee, musky

Texture:

Dry, creamy near the end as it starts to warm up in your mouth to release the flavors.

Overall:

A rich, dark chocolate, not a bar to eat all at once but one to savor slowly, one piece at a time.  This would be delicious when paired with a full bodied red wine.

Rating: out of 7.5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at World Market

Price range under $5

Next week, we’re excited to try our first bar from TCHO.  See you then!

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate. - Linda Grayson

Remember, fairly traded chocolate is a responsible way to support farmers by ensuring that the chocolate that you consume has been bought for a fair price.  By choosing to purchase fair trade chocolate, you can honor the cocoa tree growers and support their way of life which in turn leads to better chocolate.

Chapter Three: Base Bar

Finally, the wait is over!  Onward to the chocolate tasting… 

(If you haven’t read our previous post explaining our tasting method, you can find that here)

Our first tasting excursion is a blend from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.  This will be our base bar against which all other bars are compared.  We think it’s a perfect incarnation of quality fair trade chocolate at a very reasonable price. 

Tasting No. 1:

Guittard,Épique, Bittersweet Blend No. 49, 70%

Initial Impressions:

This is a beautiful dark reddish brown bar with a soft snap.

Flavor Profile:

Vanilla

Smoky

Texture:

Smooth

Overall:

We love the smooth consistency of this bar; it has a beautiful bite but is also delicious when savored slowly.  It’s quite satisfying to eat.

Rating: 8/10

*Notes:

Purchased at Central Market

Price range under $5
This bar and brand is one that we would not hesitate to purchase as a gift or recommend to any chocolate lover.

Next week we’ll compare this bar with one we found at Trader Joe’s.  Until then, savor this quote:

"Well folks, it looks like we're up chocolate creek without a popsicle stick." Gingerbread Man, Shrek 2