Review: Moonstruck Venezuela

Lindy's Rating: 5.0 (previously **)

Richard's Rating: 5.0 (previously **)

chocolate maker Felchlin bar Venezuela region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 74% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $7.50

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with image imprint and scoring aroma earthy (musty), floral, sweet snap medium hard taste initial tart, fruit (citrus), sweet, earth melt smooth length short finish slightly astringent

Moonstruck Venezuela is the second single origin bar we've reviewed by this chocolatier. The bar was wrapped in silver foil inside a paper box with raised graphics. The best before date was August, 2012. The chocolate was made from 74% cocoa solids plus cane sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla bean. The two ounce bar was scored into 15 pieces, each with an imprint of Moonstruck's crescent moon and flute player. The color of the chocolate was a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The bar had a medium-hard snap.

Venezuela had a musty earthy aroma similar to that of their Dominican Republic bar, but it also had floral and sweet scents. The chocolate had an initial tart taste, and then gradually revealed a fruit in the form of citrus and sweetness.

The melt was smooth. The flavor after the chocolate was gone lasted about 10 to 15 seconds, a short length. The finish was slightly astringent.

This chocolate bar won a silver medal at the 2010 Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon.

You can purchase Venezuela online directly from Moonstruck for $7.50 or in person at one of their chocolate cafés or from one of their retail partners.