Review: Pacari Piura Quemazón

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker Pacari bar Piura Quemazón region Peru plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2012 size 50g ~ 1.8oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier sunflower lecithin flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color light brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle texture smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits, scuffing aroma floral, spice (cinnamon), sweet (caramel), fruit (citrus, orange, berry), earth snap medium hard taste floral, spice (cinnamon), fruit (citrus, grapefruit, mango), sour, sweet (caramel) melt smooth length long finish tannin, somewhat sour, slightly acidic

Pacari recently won several categories at the 2012 World Final of the International Chocolate Awards. Their Piura Quemazón won an overall silver in the unflavored dark chocolate bar category.

Piura Quemazón was made with cacao from Peru. This is the first chocolate bar Pacari has made with cacao sourced outside Ecuador. It contained 70% cocoa solids (cacao beans plus added cocoa butter), cane sugar, and sunflower lecithin. As with all of their chocolates, Piura Quemazón was USDA and EC certified organic.

The 50 gram bar came enclosed in a plastic pouch inside a paper box. The bar was scored into 15 pieces. There was no production or best before date.

The chocolate had an unusually light brown Fudgesickle (PANTONE 19-1431) color. The surface of the bar was smooth, with an uneven sheen and adhered bits. There was some minimal scuffing. The snap was medium hard.

Piura had an interesting and strong aroma, with floral, cinnamon spice, sweet caramel, fruit and earth scents. The fruit contained a general citrus scent along with orange and a little berry.

The taste of this chocolate began with flavors from the aroma: floral and cinnamon spice. Fruit flavors were soon revealed, including citrus, grapefruit and mango. A sweetness of caramel from the aroma was also present along with some sourness.

The melt was smooth. The length was remarkably long, with the flavor lasting about 45 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was tannin, somewhat sour, and slightly acidic.

Unfortunately, Pacari Piura Quemazón is not currently available for purchase online, but you should definitely try it once you can.