Friday, September 10, 2010

First review: Valrhona Gran Couva

Lindy's Rating: 9.5 (previously ****)
Richard's Rating: 9.0 (previously ***)

chocolate makerValrhona
barGran Couva
year2009
cacao treesTrinitario
regionTrinidad
size75g ~ 2.6oz
plantationGran Couva
cocoa solids64%
fatcocoa butter
sweetenersugar
emulsifiersoy lecithin
flavoringvanilla extract
other ingredients(none)
list price$7.99

colormedium brown
PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken
texturesmooth, glossy surface
aromanutty, floral, bark
snaphard
tasterich, roasted nuts, toffee, caramel
hint of tobacco
meltless creamy
lengthmedium
finishslightly bitter
MORE RECENT REVIEW: Valrhona Gran Couva

Note: updated 28 October 2010, so Lindy could taste and add her perspective. Also added PANTONE color.

This Valrhona Gran Couva was my golden ticket bar. I picked it out as my favorite among a tasting of about half a dozen Valrhona chocolate bars. The rich nutty chocolate flavor is wonderful. It's too bad that it doesn't last forever, and that the finish isn't as pleasant as the taste.

The melt of this bar is creamy, definitely beyond smooth, but not quite as creamy as the Amedei or Coppeneur Chuao chocolates. Lindy tasted multiple sweet flavors, including toffee and caramel.

Note that this review may be slightly distorted, as I opened the bar three days ago and tasted for the review from the half remaining this morning.

Please send any suggestions for improvements to content or format. Thanks!

UPDATE: As of 17 April 2013, the best price I found for purchase online in the U.S. was $6.99 from Caputo's. We also have a more thorough and recent review of Valrhona Gran Couva.

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