Review: Amano Cuyagua

Lindy's Rating: 7.0 (previously ***)

Richard's Rating: 7.0 (previously ***)

chocolate maker Amano bar Cuyagua region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $8.95

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprints and scoring aroma fruit (fig), earth (soil), roast (cocoa), spice (mint, clove, vanilla), hint of sweet snap medium hard taste sweet, fruit (fig, apricot), tannin, spice (clove) melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin

The cacao beans for Amano Cuyagua come from a secluded mountain valley of the same name. The two ounce bar was crafted from cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, and whole vanilla beans. It was scored into 15 pieces, each with an imprint of "AMANO Artisan Chocolate" and Amano's emblem of a cacao tree branch. Wrapped in gold foil, the bar was packaged in a glossy black paper container with a print of a painting by Marcia Baldwin of a cacao flower. The best before date was December 2012 and the lot number was 3/4/67B.

The color of Cuyagua was a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The bar had a medium hard snap. Aromas from the chocolate included fig, an earthiness most remiscent of soil, and a rich cocoa roast. It also revealed several spices, including mint, clove, and vanilla, and a hint of sweetness.

In tasting this chocolate, Lindy noticed a brief bitterness at the beginning. The flavor included a mild sweetness, some fruit, substantial tannin, and a clove spice. The fruit was primarily the fig we smelled, with some apricot in addition.

The melt was smooth. The length was just barely into medium, with the flavor lasting about 20 seconds after the chocolate was gone. Lindy experienced the finish as tannin; to me, the tannin seemed a bit less strong. In any case, that final aftertaste remained for a long time.

Overall, we both rated Cuyagua a low ***. We liked it, but not as much as some of Amano's other bars, such as Montanya.

You can purchase Amano Cuyagua online for $8.95 directly from Amano for delivery in the U.S. and Canada.