Review: Michel Cluizel Mangaro 65%

Lindy's Rating: 8.0 (previously ***)

Richard's Rating: 8.0 (previously ***)

chocolate maker Michel Cluizel bar Mangaro 65% region Madagascar plantation Mangaro cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 65% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring bourbon vanilla other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text and image imprints and scoring aroma roast (coffee, toast), spice, earth, fruit snap medium hard taste fruit (berry, blueberry, citrus), sweet (honey, caramel), tart melt more smooth length short finish slightly acidic

Michel Cluizel 1er Cru de Plantation Mangaro is made from 65% cocoa solids from the Mangaro plantation in the Sambirano river valley of Madagascar. The 70 gram bar came wrapped in gold foil and was scored into 15 pieces, and imprinted as shown in the photograph above. The best before date was 21 December 2011.

The color of Mangaro was a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The aromas of this chocolate included roast in the forms of coffee and toast, as well as some earthiness, some spice, and fruit. This bar had a medium hard snap.

Mangaro had tastes primarily of fruit and sweetness. The fruit flavor included berry in general, and blueberry specifically, as well as a citrus that was suggestive of lime. The sweetness seemed a combination of honey and caramel. Lindy also noticed some tartness in addition to the citrus flavor.

The melt of this chocolate was better than smooth, in the more smooth category. The flavor lasted about 15 seconds after the chocolate was gone, resulting in a short length. The final aftertaste was not bitter, leaving instead a slightly acidic finish. Lindy also found that she could still taste hints of roasted nuts and honey.

You can purchase Cluizel Mangaro 65% online for $6.99 at Chocolopolis.

For reference, the Mangaro bar reviewed here had a best before date of December 21, 2011. This chocolate won one star at the Great Taste Awards in 2008 and 1er Prix at the Paris Salon du Chocolat in 2003.