Chapter Twelve: Haut Chocolat

We bought the Vosges Haut Chocolat 70% Black Salt Caramel Bar honestly for the packaging.  After reading a little more about this brand, we were excited to partake of the tasting adventure laid out on the back of the packaging which asked us to breathe, see, smell, snap, and taste as a part of the total experience of the bar.

Tasting No.: 10

Vosges Haut Chocolat 70% Black Salt Caramel Bar

Initial Impressions:

For being a filled bar, there is still a substantial snap which then turns into goo.  The caramel aroma was pleasantly prominent but not overwhelming or cloying.  It was darker and browner when compared with our base bar; the caramel was a deep, burnt orange.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – citrus

Middle – caramel, butterscotch, butter

After – burnt, smoke

Texture:

This bar was creamy and silky smooth, the chocolate melted into the caramel which was perfectly proportioned.  The black salt used in this bar is from the ocean surrounding Hawaii and contains volcanic charcoal which lends to the burnt smokey flavor that reminds Gaby of flan.  It was difficult to compare it with our base bar since it was a filled bar.

Overall:

We both enjoyed this bar thoroughly, but agreed that it wasn’t an everyday sort of bar.  This is the perfect bar when you’re in the mood for some gooey delight but we typically prefer a solid chocolate bar to fulfill our cravings.  This would make a nice gift, but be sure to keep it cool or it will melt!

Rating: 7.5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at World Market

Price range under $7

This bar will satisfy a sweet tooth like no other.  Eat it with some strong black tea to cut the sweetness.

Next week we’ll be tasting another filled bar; this one is passionfruit!

For now savor: “Researchers have discovered that chocolate produced some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are.” – Matt Lauer, NBC’s Today Show

This bar was 63% fairly traded.  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.