Friday, August 31, 2012

Review: Grenada Chocolate Company 100%

Richard's Rating: 7.0
chocolate makerGrenada
bar100%
regionGrenada
plantation(blend)
cacao treesTrinitario
year(unknown)
size85g ~ 3.0oz
cocoa solids100%
added fat(none)
sweetener(none)
emulsifier(none)
flavoring(none)
other ingredients(none)
list price$4.60
colormedium-dark brown
PANTONE 19-1015
Bracken
texturesmooth, scoring, image imprint, bubbles, slightly uneven sheen
aromaroast (tobacco, cocoa), earth, floral, dairy (cheese)
snapvery hard
tasteearth, fruit (grapefruit), roast (cocoa), bitter, sour, tart, hint of chalk
meltmore smooth
lengthmedium
finishsomewhat bitter, somewhat tannin, slightly sour
Tree to bar chocolate maker Grenada Chocolate Company crafts their bars locally in Grenada. We've previously reviewed their 71% and 82% chocolate bars. This is their newest unflavored bar: 100%. It contains no ingredients other than Trinitario cacao beans, not even added cocoa butter. All of their bars are USDA and CERES certified organic.

100% was formed in the same shape as Grenada's other bars: three ounces with a stylized image of cacao imprinted in the center third of the bar. The two sides were each scored into 4 pieces. The bar came wrapped in heavy brass-colored foil-sided wax paper inside a paper sleeve. The best before date was 28 October 2013. The number 257 presumably indicated the batch number.

The color of 100% was darker than 71%, just barely still medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The surface of the bar was smooth with many bubbles and a slightly uneven sheen. The bar had a very hard snap.

The aroma of this chocolate was similar to that of 71%: a roast of tobacco and cocoa, earthiness, floral and a dairy like that of cheese.

100% tasted earthy, with flavors of fruit that I experienced as grapefruit and a cocoa roast. The taste was also bitter, sour, and tart, with a hint of chalkiness.

The melt was more smooth, nearly creamy. The length was medium, with the chocolate flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was somewhat bitter, somewhat tannin, and slightly sour.

This new chocolate was a surprisingly great addition to the world of 100% bars. While not at the level of the superb Pralus Le 100%, it would rank highly among the others.

You can purchase Grenada 100% online for $4.60 in the U.S. from Chocosphere or for £3.45 in the U.K. from Chocolate Trading Co.

No comments:

Post a Comment