Review: Valrhona Andoa

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Andoa region unknown plantation blend cacao trees unknown year 2013 size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $7.49

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance scoring, imprints, smooth aroma roast (smoke, cocoa), earth (mold), fruit, sweet (marshmallow) snap medium hard taste earth, roast (smoke, tobacco), fruit (berry, date), peanut, sweet melt smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, somewhat bitter, slightly chalky

Valrhona blended a variety of their Grand Cru cacao to make Andoa. The bar reviewed here was made on 3 October 2013 with a best before date of February 2015.

The ingredients of Andoa were cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter, and soy lecithin. Cocoa solids made up 70%.

The 70 gram bar came wrapped in brass colored foil inside a paper box. It was scored into 20 uneven pieces and had imprints of Valrhona's logo and name. The surface was great other than some tiny bubbles in a few of the corners.

The chocolate was a medium brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012) color. The snap was medium hard.

Andoa gave off an aroma of roast, earth, fruit, and sweetness. The roast was a smoky cocoa. The earth scent was moldy. The fruit seemed to have a faint berry scent. I smelled a hint of marshmallow in the sweetness.

Initially, the taste was a combination of earth and a smoky roast. A berry fruit flavor grew and the roast added some tobacco flavor. I also tasted peanut and date, as well as sweetness.

The melt was smooth. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting about 25-30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was somewhat acidic, somewhat bitter, and slightly chalky.

You can purchase Andoa online for $7.49 directly from Valrhona. You can also buy Andoa online for $7.49 in the U.S. from Chocosphere and for £3.75 in the U.K. from Chocolate Trading Co.

Review: Valrhona Guanaja

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Guanaja region Caribbean plantation blend cacao trees Criollo, Trinitario year 2013 size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $7.49

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1314 Seal Brown appearance scoring, imprints, smooth aroma roast (smoke, tobacco, coffee), spice fruit, earth snap medium hard taste roast (coffee, cocoa, smoke, tobacco), fruit (blueberry, mango, citrus), nut (almond) melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, somewhat tannin, slightly bitter

Guanaja was named for the island where Christopher Columbus landed off the coast of Honduras in 1502. This chocolate was made from a blend of Criollo and Trinitario cacao.

Valrhona's recipe for this chocolate contained 70% cocoa solids: cacao beans plus added cocoa butter. Other ingredients were sugar, soy lecithin, and vanilla extract.

Unfortunately, I did not photograph this 70 gram bar. Inside a paper box, it was wrapped in brass colored foil. The bar was made on September 18, 2013, and had a best before date of January 2015.

The bar was scored into 20 uneven pieces and had imprints of the Valrhona logo and name. The surface looked great, as is typical for Valrhona quality.

Guanaja had a medium brown Seal Brown (PANTONE 19-1314) color. The snap was medium hard.

A strong smoky roast gave a vague unpleasantness to the aroma of this chocolate. The roast scent contained tobacco and coffee as well. Spice, fruit, and earth were also present.

The taste began with an initial roast of coffee, cocoa, smoke, and tobacco that had none of the unpleasantness of the aroma. Guanaja soon revealed interesting fruit flavors of blueberry, mango, and citrus, along with an almond nuttiness. The result was a delicious combination.

The melt was more smooth. The flavor after the chocolate was gone lasted about 35 to 40 seconds, giving a medium length. The final aftertaste was somewhat acidic, somewhat tannin, and slightly bitter.

You can purchase Guanaja online for $7.49 directly from Valrhona, for $6.95 from World Wide Chocolate, and for $6.99 from Caputo's.

Review: Valrhona El Pedregal

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar El Pedregal region Venezuela plantation El Pedregal cacao trees Criollo year 2013 size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 64% added fat cocoa butter sweetener brown sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $9.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance scoring, imprints, smooth aroma spice (pepper, vanilla), nut, roast (coffee, cocoa), fruit (raisin) snap medium hard taste roast (cocoa), spice (pepper, vanilla, clove), fruit (berry), nut (almond), sweet (molasses), acidic melt smooth length long finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Unfortunately, Valrhona no longer makes their very good Palmira plantation bar from Venezuela. In its place, Valrhona has another Venezuelan plantation: El Pedregal, which grows Porcelana Criollo cacao for this chocolate.

Cocoa solids made up 64% of El Pedregal, including added cocoa butter. The sweetener for this chocolate was a surprising brown sugar. Soy lecithin was added as an emulsifier. There was also a small amount of vanilla.

The 70 gram bar reviewed here was produced on July 9, 2013, with a best before date of December 2014.

Valrhona scored the bar into 20 uneven pieces. The bar had imprints of the Valrhona logo and name. The surface of the chocolate was impressive, with only minuscule bubbles in some corners.

The chocolate had a medium brown Fudgesickle (PANTONE 19-1431) color. The bar had a medium hard snap.

El Pedregal gave off a spicy roast aroma. Scents included pepper, nut, coffee, cocoa, raisin, and vanilla.

Beginning with a cocoa roast, the taste revealed that peppery spice and some clove. Other flavors included a berry fruit, almond nuttiness, and a molasses sweetness. I also tasted vanilla and a little acidity.

The melt was smooth. The length was long, with the chocolate flavor lasting 40 to 45 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was tannin and somewhat acidic.

Overall, while not as marvelous as some other Porcelana chocolates and sweeter than I'd prefer, I found El Pedregal to be excellent, certainly among the best chocolates with this much sugar.

You can purchase El Pedregal online for $9.99 directly from Valrhona, for $8.95 from World Wide Chocolate, and for $8.99 from Caputo's.

Review: Valrhona Le Noir Extra Amer 85%

Richard's Rating: 5.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Le Noir Extra Amer region Africa plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown texture smooth, imprint, lines, scoring, scuffing aroma roast, earth, vanilla, nut, spice, fruit snap hard taste earth, roast (tobacco, coffee), bitter, fruit (citrus) melt smooth length short finish bitter, somewhat tannin

Le Noir Extra Amer is one of Valrhona's lower priced quality chocolate bars. It contains a blend of cacao, like that of Le Noir Amer we reviewed earlier, but has higher cacao content.

Le Noir Extra Amer contained 85% cocoa solids (beans plus added cocoa butter) and was made with cacao beans from Africa. The ingredients of this chocolate were cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and vanilla extract.

The large 100 gram bar was scored into eight big pieces, each imprinted with diagonal parallel lines. There was also a Valrhona imprint shared among four of the pieces. The bar came wrapped in brass-colored foil inside a paper wrapper. The lot number of the chocolate reviewed here was 11138 and the best before date was October 2012.

The color of the chocolate was a medium dark brown that was nearly dark brown and noticeably darker than Le Noir Amer. The bar looked good: the surface was smooth, with some minimal scuffing. The bar had a hard snap.

The chocolate had a roast and earthy aroma, with additional scents of vanilla, nut, spice, and fruit.

It tasted of earth and roast as well, with the roast consisting of both tobacco and coffee flavors. Bitterness was clearly present, along with a fruit flavor that included some citrus.

The melt was smooth. The chocolate flavor after the chocolate was gone lasted about 15 to 20 seconds, giving it a short length. The final aftertaste was bitter and somewhat tannin.

There is no list price for this chocolate, but I purchased Valrhona Le Noir Extra Amer at Trader Joe's for $2.99. As you can see on our Best Chocolate Values page, $0.85 per ounce is a bargain for this 85% chocolate bar.

Review: Valrhona Le Noir Amer 71%

Richard's Rating: 5.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Le Noir Amer region (unknown) plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario, Criollo year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 71% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth, imprint, lines, scoring, scuffing aroma roast (coffee, cocoa), earth, vanilla, fruit, hint of nut snap hard taste roast (cocoa, coffee), earth, sweet, fruit (hint of orange) melt smooth length medium finish tannin

Valrhona makes several premium single origin and blend chocolate bars that we've reviewed over the past couple of years. They also make quality blend chocolate bars that are priced much lower. Two of these are Le Noir Amer and Le Noir Extra Amer, the former of which I'm posting about today.

According to the wrapper, Le Noir Amer was made from a blend of Trinitario and Criollo cacao beans. The ingredients were cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and vanilla extract. The chocolate contained 71% cocoa solids (the beans plus added cocoa butter).

The large 100 gram bar was scored into eight big pieces, each imprinted with diagonal parallel lines. There was also a Valrhona imprint shared among four of the pieces. The bar came wrapped in brass-colored foil inside a paper wrapper. The lot number of the chocolate reviewed here was 11073 and the best before date was August 2012.

The chocolate had a color slightly redder than a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The surface was smooth, with just a little scuffing. The bar had a hard snap.

Le Noir Amer gave off a roast and earthy aroma, with scents of coffee, cocoa, vanilla, fruit, and a hint of nut.

The taste was similarly full of roast and earthy, and the roast had cocoa and coffee flavors. It tasted sweet, with a fruit flavor that I struggled to identify. The fruit seemed to include a non-citrus orange.

The chocolate had a smooth melt. The length was medium, with the chocolate flavor lasting about 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was tannin.

Although there isn't a list price for this chocolate, I purchased Valrhona Le Noir Amer at Trader Joe's for $2.99. As you can see on our Best Chocolate Values page, it's one of the better bars for under $1.25 per ounce.

Sale: 20% off Guittard, 15% off nearly all other chocolate brands

This week World Wide Chocolate has 20% off Guittard and Valor chocolate using coupon code SPECIAL20 during checkout (through December 19).

They have 15% off many other chocolate brands by nationality (also through December 19), including:

• Amano, Blommer, Ghirardelli, Guittard, Lake Champlain, Patric, Scharffer Berger, and Vermont Nut Free chocolate using coupon code AMERICAN15
• Becolade, Cafe-Tasse, Callebaut, Cavalier, Chocolove, Côte D'Or, Dolfin, Galer, Godiva, and Nirvana chocolate using coupon code BELGIAN15
• Cacao Barry, Bonnat, Bernard Castelain, Michel Cluizel, Yves Thuries, Francois Pralus, and Valrhona chocolate using coupon code FRENCH15
• Amedei, Domori, L'Artigiano, Maglio, Slitti, and Venchi chocolate using coupon code ITALIAN15

Finally, if you want to mix and match chocolate of multiple nationalities, you can use coupon code take5 to get $5 off a purchase of $30 or more, or coupon code take10 to get $10 off a purchase of $60 or more. These two coupon codes may end today.

As a bonus treat during checkout, the first 30 buyers to add "Free Michel Cluizel Squares" in the Comments field will receive 5 free bite-size 5 gram chocolate squares of Michel Cluizel chocolate.

World Wide Chocolate has some additional promotions available on other chocolate products.

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.

Sale: 15% off Bonnat, Cluizel, Pralus, Valrhona, and more!

World Wide Chocolate has 15% off French chocolate, including Cacao Barry, Bonnat, Bernard Castelain, Michel Cluizel, Francois Pralus, Yves Thuries, and Valrhona chocolate this week (through December 12th). Use coupon code FRENCH15 during checkout for this discount.

Other promotions include:

• 20% off Ghirardelli and Lindt using coupon code SPECIAL20
• 15% off Becolade, Cafe-Tasse, Callebaut, Cavalier, Chocolove, Côte d'Or, Dolfin, Galler, Godiva and Nirvana using coupon code BELGIAN15 (only valid through tomorrow)
• additional promotions can be found here
  

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

In addition, the first 100 buyers to add "Free T-Shirt" in the Comments field will receive a large size WWC t-shirt.

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.

Sale: 20% off Valrhona chocolate plus 5 free samples

This week World Wide Chocolate has 20% off Valrhona and Valor chocolate (through October 31st). Use coupon code SPECIAL20 during checkout for this 20% discount.

As a bonus treat during checkout, the first 30 buyers to add "Free Cluizel Chocolate Squares" in the Comments field will receive 5 free bite-size 5 gram chocolate squares of Michel Cluizel chocolate. You do not have to purchase Cluizel chocolate to qualify for the 5 free sample squares.

Since summer is over, they are no longer offering free warm weather packaging or free shipping upgrades.

World Wide Chocolate has some additional promotions available (such as SPECIAL15 for 15% off any combination of Bonnat, Dolphin, and Lake Champlain chocolate totalling $50 or more), but none are especially compelling.

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.

Event: New York Chocolate Show November 10-13

The 14th annual New York Chocolate Show runs Thursday, November 10th, through Sunday, November 13th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closing early on Sunday at 6 p.m.) It is the largest chocolate event in the U.S., and already has at least 48 exhibitors (on the list at the time I wrote this), including Michel Cluizel, Divine, Grenada, Guittard, Francois Pralus, and Valrhona.

In addition to the many chocolate companies, the New York Chocolate Show also includes cooking demonstrations in two theaters, book signings, and activites for kids. They have not yet posted the 2011 information, but you can get an idea from the 2010 information, and check those links closer to the event for updated information.

You may want to wait to purchase tickets until the 2011 schedules are published so you can attend on a day that has more events that interest you.

There will also be special events, but only the Broadway theme fashion show (separate $150 admission on Wednesday, November 9th, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.) has been posted at this time.

Tickets (Enter our FREE TICKETS GIVEAWAY)
Advance tickets cost $30 for Thursday, Friday, or Sunday admission; $35 for Saturday. They can be purchased online at Eventbrite. I do not know any discount codes at present, but if you find one, please post a comment to share it with other readers. Thanks!

At the door, tickets cost $35 for Thu, Fri, or Sun; $40 for Sat. Children ages 5 to 12 enter free (up to 2 per adult ticket); additional child tickets cost $8 (not available in advance). Kids 4 and under enter free. Groups of 20 or more can arrange reduced ticket prices ($25 for Thu, Fri, or Sun; $30 for Sat) by emailing boxoffice@chocolateshow.com.

In any case, due to the expected high turnout, I recommend buying tickets in advance rather than waiting in line at the door.

Location
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Manjari

Lindy's Rating: 8.5

Richard's Rating: 8.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Manjari region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year 2011 size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 64% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 18-1222 Cocoa Brown texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma fruit (berry, orange liqueur), spice, earth, wood snap medium hard taste sweet, fruit (raspberry, currant, cherry), roast (cocoa), vanilla melt more smooth length medium finish very slightly acidic

Valrhona makes six dark chocolate bars in their Grand Cru line. One of these is Manjari, which is made with Trinitario cacao beans from the Sambirano valley of Madagascar. With 64% cocoa solids, Manjari is made from cacao beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract.

Valrhona used its standard Grand Cru form for this thin 70 gram Manjari bar: a matte surface with a smooth floral imprint along with the Valrhona name. Asymmetric lines score the bar into 25 unevenly sized pieces. Black plastic enclosed the bar inside a black paper box. The best before date was June 2012.

The color of Manjari was an unusual medium Cocoa Brown (PANTONE 18-1222). The bar had a medium hard snap. This chocolate gave off aromas of berries, red fruit, orange liqueur, spice, earth, and woodiness.

Manjari initially tasted sweet, and then quickly released fruit flavors of berry, cherry, currant, and raspberry. A cocoa roast was also present, along with a vanilla flavor.

The melt of this chocolate was smoother than normal. After the chocolate was gone, the chocolate flavor lasted 35 to 40 seconds, giving Manjari a length on the far end of medium. The finish was very slightly acidic.

Manjari has won several awards over the years, including one of the Bronzes at the Academy of Chocolate's 2011 Awards.

UPDATE: As of 17 April 2013, in the U.S., you can purchase Valrhona Grand Cru Manjari online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere. In the U.K., you can purchase Manjari online for £3.39 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Sale: 20% off Valrhona chocolate plus 5 free samples!

This week World Wide Chocolate has 20% off Valrhona chocolate (through September 19th). Use coupon code VALRHONA20 during checkout for this 20% discount. The last time they ran this promotion was in April.

As a bonus treat during checkout, the first 30 buyers to add "Free Valrhona Chocolate Squares" in the Comments field will receive 5 free bite-size 5 gram chocolate squares of Valrhona chocolate. You do not have to purchase Valrhona chocolate using the code above to qualify for the 5 free sample squares.

In addition, for all orders, your shipping method will automatically be upgraded from UPS Ground to UPS 2nd-Day Air if your destination is beyond two days for UPS Ground transit (choose UPS Ground as your shipping method). Between May and September, World Wide Chocoloate also includes free warm weather packaging of a reusable frozen gel pack inside insulated container (usually an additional $6.99), which protects your chocolate for about 48 hours.

World Wide Chocolate has some additional promotions available (such as AMERICAN10 = 10% off any combination of American chocolate makers with $30 minimum order), but none are especially compelling.

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.

Review: Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 6.5

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Cacao Pâte Extra region (unknown) plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1314 Seal Brown texture smooth with text imprint aroma earth (grass, hay), fruit, roast snap (N/A) taste earth, wood, fruit, roast (black tea), chalky melt smooth length medium finish slightly ashy

Cacao Pâte Extra is a professional chocolate that Valrhona sells in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. This is the third Valrhona professional chocolates we purchased from Chocolopolis (who breaks up the bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each).

Using 100% cocoa solids, Valrhona made Cacao Pâte Extra from a blend of cacao beans. The chocolate had a medium brown Seal Brown (PANTONE 19-1314) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

The aroma of earthy, with scents of grass and hay. We also smelled fruit, and I noticed some roast as well.

Cacao Pâte Extra tasted earthy as well, although without the distinct grass and hay from the aroma. Flavors included wood, fruit, and a roast of oversteeped black tea. Lindy also tasted some chalkiness.

The melt was smooth. With the flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, the length was at the long end of medium. The finish was slightly ashy.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra for $29.15 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $79.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 6.5

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Araguani Pure Pate region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1217 Mustang texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (raisin), earth, roast (cocoa), floral snap (N/A) taste roast (black tea), tannin, fruit (raisin), nut, chalky, ashy melt smooth length medium finish slightly ashy, slightly chalky

Araguani Pure Pate is another of the professional chocolates that Valrhona sells in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. This is the second of the three Valrhona professional chocolates we purchased from Chocolopolis (who breaks up the bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each).

Araguani Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using cacao beans from Venezuela. The chocolate had a medium-dark brown Mustang (PANTONE 19-1217) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

We smelled in the aroma of this chocolate: a dried fruit that we concluded was raisin, some earthiness, and a roast in the form of cocoa. Lindy also detected a floral scent.

Araguani Pure Pate had a roast flavor that Lindy identified as a strong black tea. We also noticed tannin. I tasted the raisin we discovered in the aroma and Lindy found nuttiness. Finally, we both noticed some chalkiness and ashiness in the flavor.

The chocolate had a smooth melt. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste seemed slightly chalky to me and slightly ashy to Lindy.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Araguani jari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 8.0

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Manjari Pure Pate region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (citrus, raspberry, melon), earth, roast, hint of floral snap (N/A) taste tart, fruit (citrus, berry), sour, nut, wood, ashy, hint of bitter, hint of acidic melt smooth length medium finish sour, slightly tart, very slightly bitter

In addition to producing bars for retail sale, Valrhona also makes artisan chocolate for professional use that they sell in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. Chocolopolis breaks up those bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each. We purchased the three chocolates they had available at the time, including the Manjari Pure Pate reviewed here.

Manjari Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using Trinitario cacao beans from Madagascar. This single origin chocolate is part of Valrhona's Grand Cru line, but does not contain any of the sugar, soy lecithin, or vanilla extract of the retail Manjari bar made with 64% cocoa solids.

The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

The aroma of Manjari Pure Pate was spectacular. Lindy described it as an "amazing 10.0 aroma". The powerful bouquet was full of strong fruit scents, including citrus, raspberry and melon. We also smelled earth, some roast, and a hint of floral. Just... Wow!

This chocolate tasted tart, somewhat sour, and a bit ashy, and had flavors of citrus, roasted nut, and wood. I also tasted berry and noticed a hint of acidity. Lindy found the flavor slightly bitter as well.

The melt was smooth, good, but nowhere near the wonderful melt of the retail Manjari 64%. The flavor lasted 30 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving this chocolate a medium length. We both experienced the finish as sour. For me, the aftertaste was also slightly tart; for Lindy, it was also very slightly bitter.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Taїnori 64%

Lindy's Rating: 7.5

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Taїnori region Dominican Republic plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 64% 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 (cocoa), floral, almond snap hard taste sweet, fruit (apricot), roast (cocoa), nut (almond), bread melt more smooth length medium finish slightly sour, slightly acidic

Valrhona made Taїnori as one of its Grand Cru chocolates. Taїnori has 64% cocoa solids from cacao of the Dominican Republic. The ingredients were cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. The Taїnori bar was the thin 70 gram bar with asymmetric score lines that Valrhona currently uses for its Grand Cru line. The scoring results in 25 varied-size pieces. The surface had a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The best before date on the bar we reviewed was October 2011.

The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color and the bar had a hard snap. Taїnori had aromas of roast in the form of cocoa, a floral scent more typical of Ecuador than the Caribbean, and a nutty almond.

The flavor of Taїnori was sweet, and had a roast that tasted like toast to me and like cocoa to Lindy. We also both tasted fruit that we identified primarily as apricot. I experienced an almond flavor similar to that which we smeleed in the aroma. Lindy discovered a bread flavor as well.

As with most of the Grand Cru line, the melt was more smooth. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 20 to 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was slightly sour. I also tasted a slight acidity.

You can purchase Valrhona Taїnori 64% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere for delivery in the U.S. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Caraїbe 66%

Lindy's Rating: 7.0

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Caraїbe region Caribbean plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 66% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 18-1314 Acorn texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma roast (cocoa), earth, spice, hint of vanilla snap hard taste sweet, roast (cocoa), nut (almond), vanilla melt more smooth length medium finish very slightly chalky, very slightly sweet

Caraїbe is another bar in Valrhona's Grand Cru line of chocolates. Using Trinitario cacao beans from the Caribbean, this chocolate was made with 66% cocoa solids from cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. Caraїbe was molded into Valrhona's standard Grand Cru form: a thin 70 gram bar with asymmetric score lines, giving 25 pieces of varied sizes. The surface had a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The best before date on the bar we reviewed was August 2011.

The color of Caraїbe was a medium brown Acorn (PANTONE 18-1314). The bar had a hard snap. Aromas included a cocoa roast, earth, some spice, and a hint of vanilla. The chocolate tasted sweet and the roast reminded Lindy of rich hot chocolate. We also noticed a nutty almond flavor and the vanilla that was hinted in the aroma.

The melt was more smooth. The flavor lasted 20 to 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone, at the short end of a medium length. The finish seemed very slightly chalky to me, and Lindy experienced the final aftertaste as a suggestion of sweetness.

You can purchase Valrhona Caraїbe 66% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere for delivery in the U.S. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.

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.

Sale: 15% off Michel Cluizel, Domori, and Valrhona, 10% off everything

This week World Wide Chocolate has 15% off Michel Cluizel, Domori, and Callebaut chocolate (through June 27th). Use coupon code SPECIAL15 during checkout for this 15% discount.

They also have 15% off Valrhona chocolate for two days through June 22nd. Coupon code TODAY15.

They are still continuing their 25% off Zotter chocolate sale (coupon code ZOTTER25). Here is the complete list of their special offers.

World Wide Chocolate is also currently offering 10% off all orders with no minimum purchase (coupon code 1day10-0). Typically this all brand offer is only 5% or requires at least a $25 minimum order. Their other more or less normal offers are:

• 15% off orders over $100: 1day15-100
• 20% off orders over $225: 1day20-225
• 25% off orders over $575: 1day25-575

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

Between May and September, World Wide Chocoloate also includes free warm weather packaging of a reusable frozen gel pack inside insulated container (usually an additional $6.99).

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Currently shipping is free on orders over $200 (this used to be $150). Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.

Academy of Chocolate's 2011 Awards

The London Academy of Chocolate just published their full list of award winners for 2011.

Here are the winners in the bean to bar dark chocolate category:

GOLDEN BEAN
Duffy’s Honduras Indio Rojo 72%
Amedei 9

GOLD
Michel Cluizel Los Ancones 67%
Askinosie San Jose Del Tambo
Amedei Toscano Black 63%

SILVER
Askinosie Tenende Tanzania
Grenada 82%
Amano Dos Rios
Amano Chuao
Amedei Cru Madacascar
Soma Three Amigos 70%
Amedei Toscano Black 70%
Pralus Chuao 75%
Rózsavölgyi Trincheras 70%
Potomac Upala 70%
Olivia 76%

BRONZE
Duffy’s Corazon d’Equador 72%
Michel Cluizel 85%
Valrhona Manjari
Rózsavölgyi Porcelana 71%
Valrhona Alpaco
Valrhona Guanaja
Zokoko Tranquilidad Bolivia 72%


And in a separate category of "bean to bar" without processing the beans themselves...

GOLD
Idilio 2 Amiari Meridena
Åkesson's Brazil Fazenda Monte Alegre 75%

SILVER
Baruzzo Quinche 70%
Åkesson's Madacascar Ambolikapiky 75%
Friis Holm Nicaliso
Idilio 12 Finca Torres
Original Beans Beni Wild Harvest 66%
Demarquette Peru Pangoa 70%
Zokoko Alto Beni Bolivia 68%
Bojesen Oialla
Original Beans Cru Virunga 70%

BRONZE
Hotel Chocolat Rabot 65% (120 hour conch)
Hotel Chocolat Rabot 66%
Moonstruck Fortunato No. 4
Idilio 1 Porcelana
Konzept Barlovento

As you can see from the many names above without links, we've not yet reviewed most of the winners and look forward to doing so in the future.

Here's a link to the full lists of 2011 Award Winners in all of the categories.

Sale: 20% off Valrhona and Guittard chocolate

World Wide Chocolate has 20% off Valrhona and Guittard chocolate this week (through April 25th). Use coupon code SPECIAL20 during checkout for this 20% discount.

Here are direct links on World Wide Chocolate to Guittard and Valrhona bars.

They are also continuing their 25% off Zotter chocolate sale (coupon code ZOTTER25). Here is the complete list of their special offers.

If you are interested in multiple chocolate brands, World Wide Chocolate has their more or less normal offers:

• 10% off orders over $25: 1day10-25
• 15% off orders over $40: 1day15-40
• 20% off orders over $275: 1day20-275
• 25% off orders over $575: 1day25-575

REMINDER: Only one coupon code is allowed per order.

World Wide Chocolate only ships to United States, APO (military), and FPO (diplomatic) addresses. Shipping is free on orders over $150. Full information can be found at World Wide Chocolate shipping policies.