Review: Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 8.0

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Manjari Pure Pate region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (citrus, raspberry, melon), earth, roast, hint of floral snap (N/A) taste tart, fruit (citrus, berry), sour, nut, wood, ashy, hint of bitter, hint of acidic melt smooth length medium finish sour, slightly tart, very slightly bitter

In addition to producing bars for retail sale, Valrhona also makes artisan chocolate for professional use that they sell in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. Chocolopolis breaks up those bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each. We purchased the three chocolates they had available at the time, including the Manjari Pure Pate reviewed here.

Manjari Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using Trinitario cacao beans from Madagascar. This single origin chocolate is part of Valrhona's Grand Cru line, but does not contain any of the sugar, soy lecithin, or vanilla extract of the retail Manjari bar made with 64% cocoa solids.

The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

The aroma of Manjari Pure Pate was spectacular. Lindy described it as an "amazing 10.0 aroma". The powerful bouquet was full of strong fruit scents, including citrus, raspberry and melon. We also smelled earth, some roast, and a hint of floral. Just... Wow!

This chocolate tasted tart, somewhat sour, and a bit ashy, and had flavors of citrus, roasted nut, and wood. I also tasted berry and noticed a hint of acidity. Lindy found the flavor slightly bitter as well.

The melt was smooth, good, but nowhere near the wonderful melt of the retail Manjari 64%. The flavor lasted 30 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving this chocolate a medium length. We both experienced the finish as sour. For me, the aftertaste was also slightly tart; for Lindy, it was also very slightly bitter.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).