Review: Kallari SACHA Sinchi Supreme 85%

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Kallari bar SACHA Sinchi Supreme region Ecuador plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2013 size 50g ~ 1.8oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles aroma roast (cocoa, smoke), sweet (marshmallow), earth, floral snap medium taste earth, roast (tea), sour, tannin, licorice, fruit (passion fruit) melt smooth length medium finish acidic, tannin, sour

In addition to their original three unflavored chocolate bars (85% Cacao, 75% Cacao, and 70% Cacao), Kallari produces three unflavored bars in their artisan hand-tempered SACHA line of (typically flavored) chocolate.

Sinchi means "strong" in Kichwa (the native language of the Ecuador families that make up the Kallari cooperative). Sinchi Supreme was originally released as Diego's Decadence (which was named after coordinator Diego Grega). The other two unflavored SACHA bars we'll review are Roberto's Recipe 75% and Sisa's Secret 70%.

As with all of their bars, Kallari made this chocolate from tree to bar beginning with local organic Ecuador cacao. Sinchi Supreme contained 85% cocoa solids (organic cacao beans plus added cocoa butter), raw cane sugar, and vanilla.

Inside a paper box, Sinchi Supreme came enclosed in a silver plastic wrapper. The 50 gram bar was scored into 15 pieces. The production and best before dates stamped on the box were difficult to read, but I believe they were January 18, 2013, and January 18, 2014, respectively.

The color of the chocolate was a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The surface was smooth with an uneven sheen (though not as dramatic as it appears in the photo above, which over-emphasizes the sheen differences). There were bubbles in a few of the corners.

The bar had a softer than typical medium snap. Opening the wrapper was a treat in itself, with the revelation of a wonderful rich, deep cocoa aroma. That aroma also included a smoke roast, marshmallow sweetness, earth, and floral scents. In addition, I thought I smelled just a hint of alcohol.

The taste began with an earthy and floral flavor that transitioned into a sour and tannin tea roast. I tasted licorice and a fruit flavor that reminded me of passion fruit.

Sinchi Supreme had a smooth melt. The flavor lasted about 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving it a medium length. The finish was acidic, tannin, and sour.

Overall, I liked this chocolate much more than Kallari's original 85% Cacao bar, especially its enticing aroma.

You can purchase SACHA Sinchi Supreme 85% online for $5.25 from Chocosphere .