Review: TCHO Fruity 2.0

Lindy's Rating: 8.0

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker TCHO bar Fruity 2.0 region Peru plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 58g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 68% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $5.48

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth, scoring, curving lines aroma earth, roast (cocoa), fruit (berry, citrus) snap hard taste sweet (caramel), roast (cocoa), fruit (berry, raspberry, cherry, citrus, lime, nectarine) melt smooth length medium finish slightly tannin

San Francisco bean to bar chocolate maker TCHO has a flavor wheel of six primary chocolate flavors. They currently make chocolate bars for four of those flavors, one of which is the Fruity reviewed here. TCHO prides themselves on innovation and leveraging technology to make their chocolate better. They work closely with their cacao farmers to improve fermentation and drying practices.

After improved fermentation from the use of solar-powered sensory arrays at the cacao cooperative in Peru, TCHO released Fruity 2.0 as a major reformulation of their fruity flavor. It was a single origin chocolate from Peru made with cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and vanilla beans. The chocolate contained 68% cocoa solids, and was certified organic and fair trade.

The two ounce bar was scored in 9 pieces and came wrapped in gold-sided wax paper and packaged inside a paper box. There was not a production or best before date for the bar we reviewed, but the box did have a sticker with the number 0321.

Fruity 2.0 had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. The top surface had a smooth finish and was imprinted with an intricate pattern. The bottom surface revealed a pattern from filling the mold. The bar had a nice temper and a hard snap.

This chocolate gave off a strong earthy and cocoa roast aroma. We also smelled fruit flavors of berry and citrus.

Beyond the initial sweet caramel and cocoa roast came an abundance of fruit flavors. We tasted berry in general, as well as raspberry and cherry in particular, citrus that Lindy identified as lime, and even nectarine. Lindy described the taste as "caramel fruity," and we agreed that this chocolate was definitely deserving of its Fruity name.

The melt was smooth. The length was medium, with the chocolate flavor lasting 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was slightly tannin.

You can purchase TCHO Fruity online directly from TCHO for $10.95 for two bars.