Review: Fresco 215 Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Fresco bar 215 region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2011 size 40g ~ 1.4oz cocoa solids 74% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle texture lined with scoring, bubbles aroma earth, spice, roast, fruit snap hard taste earth, roast, fruit (berry, citrus, grapefruit, raspberry, lemon), nut, sweet melt smooth length short finish slightly tannin

Fresco 215 was a single origin bean to bar chocolate made with cacao beans from Madagascar. The chocolate was crafted using a medium roast and a medium conche. 215 was made with 74% cocoa solids (including cocoa butter made from the same cacao beans) and 26% cane sugar.

The small 40 gram bar was scored into 10 pieces and wrapped in gold foil-sided wax paper. The outer paper package was stamped with a production date of March 4, 2011, and a best before date of April 2013.

The color of 215 was a medium brown Fudgesickle (PANTONE 19-1431). The surface was smooth, and each piece was nicely lined, but with bubbles in several top corners. The bar had a hard snap.

215 gave off aromas of earth, spice, roast, and, more subtly, fruit. The earth scent was strongest.

This chocolate tasted earthy, too, but soon revealed roast and fruit flavors of berry and citrus. I tasted the berry as raspberry and the citrus as grapefruit and lemon. In addition, there was some nuttiness and sweetness.

215 had a smooth melt. The flavor after the chocolate was gone lasted 15 to 20 seconds, giving it a short length. The final aftertaste was slightly tannin.

You can purchase Fresco 215 online for $6.95 from The Meadow.