Review: Domori Chuao Hacienda San José

Lindy's Rating: 9.0 (previously ***)

Richard's Rating: 9.5 (previously ***)

chocolate maker Domori bar Chuao region Venezuela plantation San José cacao trees Criollo year (unknown) size 25g ~ 0.9oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate texture smooth with text imprints aroma earthy (musty, straw), floral, nut (roasted almond), spice, berry snap hard taste fruit (tropical, pineapple, papaya, raisin), honey, tart, cream, hint of nut melt creamy length short finish very slightly acidic

Domori Chuao Hacienda San José is another chocolate bar made from Criollo cacao beans from Venezuela. It is a plantation bar, with all of its beans coming from Hacienda San José. The chocolate has only 70% cocoa solids and 30% cane sugar for ingredients. It comes in a tiny 25 gram bar (less than an ounce) that is scored into 4 pieces, each with a Domori imprint.

The color of this chocolate was different from the other Chuaos we've reviewed (they were all different shades of Bracken). Domori Chuao was closer to Bitter Chocolate (PANTONE 19-1317) in color. The bar had a hard snap.

Chuao San José gave off a complex aroma, with scents of earthy must and straw (or perhaps hay), something floral, nuts in the form of roasted almond, spice we didn't identify, and non-specific berry.

The flavors we tasted were similarly interesting, including tropical fruits that Lindy identified as pineapple and papaya. I noticed some honey and cream. Lindy found some tartness. We both also experienced raisin and a hint of nut.

This bar had a wonderful creamy texture as it melted. The flavor lasted about 15-20 seconds after the chocolate was gone, leaving it near the middle of a short length. The finish was minimal as the flavor just faded away, leaving only a very slightly acidic aftertaste.

Lindy and I both like Chuaos, and this was no exception. In comparison with the other Chuaos we've reviewed, Domori fits in as 4th:

1. Amedei
2. Bonnat
3. Coppeneur
4. Domori
5. Amano

Overall, we both rated Domori Chuao a high ***, and it made it onto our respective lists of 10 favorite bars: 10th on Lindy's and 8th on mine. As Lindy put it, "If I liked the flavor more, this would be ****."

Domori does not provide a list price for Chauo Hacienda San José. This bar costs $6.99 at Chocolopolis. It is not currently listed in their online catalog, but I'm confident you could order it from them by phone at (206) 282-0776.