Chapter Eighteen: Bovetti Flourless Chocolate Cake

We were so impressed with the Bovetti bar that we tried in Chapter Six that we decided to pick up another to try this week. The Bovetti Dark Chocolate & Fleur de Sel Bar a 73% cacao bar that is fair trade with the cacao originating in Ghana, New Guinea, and Ecuador.

Tasting No.: 16

Bovetti Dark Chocolate & Fleur de Sel

Initial Impressions:

This bar had a very firm snap in comparison to the base bar.  It was not red in color, but a rich, dark brown.  The smell of this bar was different from what we expected.  Although it has caramel, we found the aroma to be distinctly tobacco, like a humidor.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – vanilla, cinnamon, molasses

Middle – chocolate bomb, pure chocolate

After – vanilla, butterscotch

Texture:

The texture of this bar was creamy, which surprised us because of the candy-like caramel morsels covering one side of the bar.  It reminded us of a dense, flourless chocolate cake.  We found it to be quite thick and enveloping.  The texture of this bar was very similar to last week’s TCHO bar, which differed dramatically from the base bar.

Overall:

Bovetti has been the star brand in our tastings thus far and we have yet to be disappointed.  This brand is one that we would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone with a craving for satisfaction.  For those that want to get lost in the moment with a single square, Bovetti is for you.  This particular bar reminded us instantly of a flourless chocolate cake, with intense chocolate flavor.  There was a subtle element of salt and the caramel came through as potent.  This bar also makes Gaby’s and Laura’s individual favorite lists.

Rating: 9/10

*Notes:

Purchased at Central Market

Price range under $10

Next week, it’s another Trader Joe’s bar!  Don’t forget to have a look!

For now savor: “In the beginning, the Lord created chocolate, and he saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the dark, and it was better.” - Anonymous

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 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 Six: French Artisan Bar

We were surprised and delighted to receive 3 chocolate bars to sample for Gaby’s birthday a few weeks ago.  For the next few weeks, we will be reviewing these.  This week, we have a 73% bar from France.  It is a handmade, artisanal brand from the Southwestern region.  The cacao beans were sourced from Ecuador, Ghana, and New Guinea.  Remember, just because beans aren’t single origin doesn’t mean a chocolate bar’s quality should be dismissed!

Tasting No.: 4

Bovetti Chocolatier, Dark Chocolate with Coconut, 73% (we couldn't find this exact bar on Amazon, but this one with Jasmine flowers looks divine!)

Initial Impressions:

As you can see in the photo above, the Bovetti bar is solid and dense looking.  It has a rich, earthy smell with notes of coconut.  The color is very dark, not at all red like the base bar.  The snap on this bar is firmer than the base bar, but still soft.  It is a very thick bar of chocolate, at least 25% thicker than the Guittard bar.  The underside of the bar showcases a robust coating of coconut flakes, which stand out in beautiful, stark contrast to the rich, dark tones of the chocolate.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – Vanilla, nutty

Middle – Dairy

After – Earthy, coconut

Texture:

The first bite of this is firm and it quickly begins to melt in your mouth.  It then becomes smooth and enveloping, like a comforting hug. Pleasant bits of coconut add a chewy dimension towards the finish of the bite, making it a subtle and complimentary addition. 

Overall:

The coconut in this bar harmonizes with the chocolate and is neither overpowering nor absent when tasting.  The chocolate is rich and indulgent, reminiscent of velvety drinking chocolate.  This bar is much more satisfying than our base bar and supremely comforting.  A warning: you won’t be able to stop after one square of the Bovetti Dark Chocolate with Coconut bar.

Rating: 8.5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at Central Market

Price range under $10

Stop by next week, when we review a minimally processed, stone ground, organic bar crafted in Massachusetts! 

For now savor: “Like love, chocolate is always a delight to receive or to give.” – Mary Jane Finsand