Review: Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 6.5

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Araguani Pure Pate region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1217 Mustang texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (raisin), earth, roast (cocoa), floral snap (N/A) taste roast (black tea), tannin, fruit (raisin), nut, chalky, ashy melt smooth length medium finish slightly ashy, slightly chalky

Araguani Pure Pate is another of the professional chocolates that Valrhona sells in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. This is the second of the three Valrhona professional chocolates we purchased from Chocolopolis (who breaks up the bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each).

Araguani Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using cacao beans from Venezuela. The chocolate had a medium-dark brown Mustang (PANTONE 19-1217) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

We smelled in the aroma of this chocolate: a dried fruit that we concluded was raisin, some earthiness, and a roast in the form of cocoa. Lindy also detected a floral scent.

Araguani Pure Pate had a roast flavor that Lindy identified as a strong black tea. We also noticed tannin. I tasted the raisin we discovered in the aroma and Lindy found nuttiness. Finally, we both noticed some chalkiness and ashiness in the flavor.

The chocolate had a smooth melt. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste seemed slightly chalky to me and slightly ashy to Lindy.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Araguani jari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).