Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Review: Michel Cluizel Maralumi 64%

Lindy's Rating: 8.0 (previously ***)
Richard's Rating: 8.0 (previously ***)

chocolate makerMichel Cluizel
barMaralumi 64%
regionPapua New Guinea
plantationMaralumi
cacao trees(unknown)
year(unknown)
size100g ~ 3.5oz
cocoa solids64%
added fatcocoa butter
sweetenercane sugar
emulsifier(none)
flavoringbourbon vanilla
other ingredients(none)
list priceN/A

colormedium-dark brown
PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle
texturesmooth with text imprints and scoring
aromaearthy, roast (tobacco), red fruit, hint of citrus
snaphard
tastestrong berries, strawberry, almond, coffee
meltmore smooth
lengthminimal
finishsomewhat dry
Michel Cluizel's 1er Cru de Plantation Maralumi was the favorite at our recent blind chocolate tasting. All seven tasters rated it either *** or ****, and ranked it first or second among the seven bars tasted that evening.

This 64% bar from the Maralumi plantation is the second bar that we have reviewed from Papua New Guinea. It had a medium dark brown color. Three tasters observed tiny air bubbles in the break of their pieces after testing the snap.

The primary aroma that nearly everyone noticed was earthy, roast, or both. Lindy and I both smelled red fruit, and she detected a hint of citrus as well, while I thought the roast was tobacco. The Maralumi bar had wonderful strong red berry flavors that most people tasted. Lindy identified the berry as strawberry, another person did so as currant, and the rest of us only as fruit or berry. Several of us also experienced almond and/or coffee.

This chocolate had a great melt: smoother than average. Sadly, the length was minimal, but this was partially redeemed by a mild, dry finish, with only a very slight bitterness.

There isn't a list price for Maralumi 64%, but you can find it at Chocolopolis for $6.99.

Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to photograph the opened chocolate bars at the tasting, so I only have a picture of the wrapper.

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