Review: Nova Monda Green Label 75% Nicaragua

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Nova Monda bar Green Label 75% region Nicaragua plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2012 size 53g ~ 1.9oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $5.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown texture smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits aroma earth, spice, roast, sweet snap medium hard taste earth, sour, spice, acidic, fruit (raisin, hint of cherry), sweet (molasses) melt smooth length long finish somewhat sour, somewhat bitter, somewhat acidic

Nova Monda makes three single origin unflavored chocolate bars: Purple Label 70%, Green Label 75%, and Gold Label 80%. Purple and Green are made with cacao from Nicaragua; Gold is made with cacao from Ecuador. Nova Monda participates in direct trade with farming cooperatives and supports sustainable cacao growing.

Green Label 75% is the first bar we've reviewed made with Nicaraguan cacao. The cacao bisiesto beans were grown near La Dalia. Green Label was made with 75% organic cacao and 25% organic cane sugar. Although both ingredients were organic, the bar was not certified. Nova Monda's website indicated that the cane sugar was evaporated cane juice.

The 52.7 gram (1.86 ounce) bar was scored into a dozen pieces. It came wrapped in gold foil sided wax paper in a paper sleeve. The best before date was October 2013.

The color of Green Label was a medium brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012). The bar had a smooth surface with an uneven sheen and some adhered bits of chocolate. There were also barely noticeable bubbles in several corners of the pieces. The snap was medium hard.

Green Label had an aroma of earth and spice. I smelled secondary scents of roast and sweetness.

The chocolate tasted initially of earth, sourness, and spice. I then experienced some acidity that gave me the odd sensation of carbonation. As Green Label melted, fruit flavors of raisin and a hint of cherry were revealed, along with a molasses sweetness.

The melt was smooth. The chocolate flavor lasted about 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a long length. The finish was somewhat sour, somewhat bitter, and somewhat acidic.

Overall, I found the flavor and carbonation sensation interesting, and the length was remarkably long. However, I didn't like the aftertaste. I expect to try Green Label again next year, if only to check if that sense of carbonation is still present.

You can currently purchase Green Label 75% online directly from Nova Monda for $4.99, a $1.00 discount from their regular $5.99 price.

Review: Nova Monda Gold Label 80% Ecuador

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Nova Monda bar Gold Label 80% region Ecuador plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2012 size 53g ~ 1.9oz cocoa solids 80% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $5.99

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1314 Seal Brown texture smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles, adhered bits aroma floral, dairy, earth, roast snap hard taste floral, woody, earth, sweet, sour, acidic, fruit (banana, berry), wine melt smooth length medium finish sour, tannin

Nova Monda makes primarily jar chocolate, but in 2011 they began making chocolate bars. They currently make three single origin unflavored chocolate bars: Purple Label 70%, Green Label 75%, and Gold Label 80%. Purple and Green are made with cacao from Nicaragua; Gold is made with cacao from Ecuador.

Gold Label 80% was made with cacao beans from a cooperative in Punta Galera in the Esmeraldas province of Ecuador. The beans were roasted at a facility in Ecuador, and Nova Monda bought the nibs and liquor for their chocolate. Although they purchased after roasting, Nova Monda was involved with the fermenting, drying, and roasting processes for their cacao.

According to the wrapper, Gold Label contained 80% cacao and 20% cane sugar. Nova Monda's website indicated that the cane sugar was evaporated cane juice. Both ingredients were organic, though the bar was not certified.

The unusual size 52.7 gram (1.86 ounce) bar was scored into 12 pieces. It came wrapped in gold foil sided wax paper in a paper sleeve. The best before date was October 2013.

The chocolate was a medium-dark brown Seal Brown (PANTONE 19-1314) color. The bar had a smooth surface with an uneven sheen and several bubbles. There were also adhered bits of chocolate on the bar. The snap was hard.

Floral, dairy, and earth scents were present in the aroma. I also smelled some roast.

Gold Label tasted floral, woody, and earthy. I experienced sweetness, sourness, and acidity. As the chocolate melted, fruit flavors of banana and berry developed, along with a wine flavor. I tasted none of the roast from the aroma. This chocolate was likely made with a light roast.

The chocolate had a smooth melt, nearly more smooth. The length was medium, with the chocolate flavor lasting 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was sour and tannin.

You can currently purchase Gold Label 80% directly from Nova Monda for $4.99, a $1.00 discount from their regular $5.99 price.