Review: Åkesson's Bali Sukrama Farms 75%

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker (unknown) bar Bali region Bali plantation Sukrama Farms cacao trees Trinitario year 2011 size 60g ~ 2.1oz cocoa solids 75% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown texture smooth, relief, scoring, uneven sheen aroma earth, roast, spice, wood snap hard taste spice, roast (coffee), sweet, fruit (mango), acidic melt smooth length short finish somewhat bitter, slightly acidic

Bertil Åkesson has cacao plantations in Madagascar and Brazil (the sources of cacao for his Madagascar Ambolikapiky and Brazil Fazenda Sempre Firme bars). He also works with Big Tree Farms in Bali (where they support "social, ecological, and economically sustainable supply chains").

Åkesson's supplied Trinitario cacao beans from two Sukrama brothers's farms for this Bali two plantation bar. Although they are involved in production decisions, Åkesson's does not make their own chocolate. Instead, they use an unnamed French company to make it for them.

Bali Sukrama Farms contained 75% cocoa solids, and had ingredients of cane sugar, cocoa butter, and soy lecithin in addition to the cacao beans.

The bar came enclosed in clear cellophane inside a textured black paper box. It weighed 60 grams and had a large "Å" in the center. The bar was scored unevenly into 9 pieces. The best before date was June 6, 2013.

The color of Bali Sukrama Farms was a medium-dark brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012). The surface was smooth, with an uneven grayish sheen (likely transported or stored in non-ideal conditions at some point). The snap was hard.

The chocolate's aroma contained earth, roast, spice, and wood scents.

The taste included spice, roast, and fruit flavors. The roast tasted of coffee and the fruit included mango. I also noticed sweetness and some acidity.

The melt was smooth. The length was short, with the flavor lasting about 15 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was somewhat bitter and slightly acidic.

You can purchase Åkesson's Bali Sukrama Farms 75% online from The Meadow for $7.95.