Thursday, February 25, 2016

Review: Meadowlands Peru

Richard's Rating: 6.0
chocolate makerMeadowlands
barPeru
regionPeru
plantationblend
cacao treesunknown
yearunknown
size71g ~ 2.5oz
cocoa solids70%
added fat(none)
sweetenercane sugar
emulsifier(none)
flavoring(none)
other ingredients(none)
list price$9.50
colormedium-dark brown
PANTONE 19-1012
Dark Brown
appearancesmooth, scoring, uneven sheen, scuffing, adhered bits
aromafloral, fruit (citrus), earth
snaphard
tastefloral, earth, roast (cocoa, malt), fruit, sweet (caramel), nut, coconut, chalky
meltless smooth
lengthmedium
finishtannin, somewhat chalky, somewhat acidic
Even though their bars are not certified, Minnesota maker Meadowlands uses organic and fair trade cacao. They craft their pure chocolate bars from only cacao beans and cane sugar.

Wrapped with gold foil-sided waxed paper inside a paper sleeve, the 2.5 ounce Peru bar contained 70% cacao beans and 30% cane sugar.

The bar was scored into 24 pieces. The surface was smooth, but had an uneven sheen, scuffing, a small dent, and a few adhered bits.

The color of the chocolate was a medium-dark brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012). The snap was hard.

The aroma contained floral, fruit, and earth scents. I smelled some citrus among the fruit scents.

An initial floral, fruity, earthy taste became sweet with honey and caramel. Roast flavors of cocoa and malt grew stronger, and revealed additional nut and coconut flavors. The taste was somewhat chalky.

Meadowlands described the chocolate as "light & delicate, hints of peach & coconut". I didn't notice the peach flavor.

The melt was less smooth, and with one taste I noticed a bit of graininess. The chocolate flavor lasted about 30 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a medium length. The final aftertaste was tannin, somewhat chalky, and somewhat acidic.

Best Prices Online
$9.50 directly from Meadowlands
$45.00 for five-pack from Chocolate.org