Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Abinao 85%

Lindy's Rating: 6.0

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Abinao region Africa plantation (blend) cacao trees Forastero year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma roast, fruit (raisin), earth, sweet (molasses) snap hard taste ashy, fruit (raisin), roast, sour melt more smooth length short finish tannin, slightly bitter

Africa was the source of Forastero cacao beans for Abinao 85%, one of Valrhona's Grand Cru line of chocolates. Valrhona made this chocolate from cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. Cocoa solids (both beans and cocoa butter) totaled 85%. The thin 70 gram bar was formed as normal for their Grand Cru bars: a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The score lines were asymmetric, giving 25 pieces of varied sizes. The particular bar we reviewed had a best before date of December 2011.

Abinao had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color and the bar had a hard snap. The chocolate revealed aromas of roast, raisin, earth, and a sweetness Lindy recognized as molasses.

The taste started with an initial ashiness that quickly faded behind a strong raisin flavor. Roast was obviously present, and we tasted some sourness. There seemed to be hints of other fruit, too, but we couldn't identify them.

The melt was smoother than typical after a somewhat slow start. We rated it more smooth. The length was short, with only about 10 seconds of chocolate flavor after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was tannin, with a slight bitterness.

For delivery in the U.S., you can purchase Valrhona Abinao 85% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.