Review: Meadowlands Peru

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Meadowlands bar Peru region Peru plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 71g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $9.50

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, scuffing, adhered bits aroma floral, fruit (citrus), earth snap hard taste floral, earth, roast (cocoa, malt), fruit, sweet (caramel), nut, coconut, chalky melt less smooth length medium finish tannin, 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