The Packaging: Unlike the other bar I recently reviewed this bar has a picture of some distant mountains topped with fluffy clouds which for me is conjuring up images of a hot and humid jungle atmosphere. Calceta is a town in the Manabi province of Ecuador. Situated on the banks of the river Carrizal, and surrounded by the valley of the same name, Calceta is in the center of trade and services.
The Chocolate: Firstly there is an excellent cocoa aroma as you would expect for a milk chocolate with a 43% cocoa content. It is made with organic sugar, cocoa beans, cocoa butter and milk powder. Well according to the packaging the chocolate should be, 'Deep, warm flavours with hints of citrus, soft fruit and bananas'. Immediately you put a chunk on your tongue you notice how grainy this chocolate is which I was surprised at. Having spoken to Duffy regarding this there is obviously more work to be done on this bar. The chocolate is rich and creamy but any other flavours are masked by the sweetness of the sugar I can't honestly say that I can place the bananas or citrus notes.
I'm really trying to like this bar but the grainy texture is bothering me and I think I will have to review this bar again once this issue is resolved. It just goes to prove that the chocolate making business is certainly not straight forward. In many ways its a bit like alchemy with so many variables that can have an impact on the final outcome.
This handmade 80g bar will cost you £3.50 plus postage and packing if purchased from Duffy's website.
To buy this bar click on the following link Duffy's Corazon Del Ecuador - Fine Milk Chocolate 43%
Funny, I'm just trying a milk chocolate tonight (40% cocoa, contains sugar, whole milk, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, emulsifier, vanilla extract). I can smell the milk and the cocoa. I let a small piece (I split a square into eight pieces) melt on my tongue and at first, the taste is nothing but sweet. And then suddenly the cocoa and the milk. It stays sweet, but it's pleasant. I'd wish the cocoa influence would be stronger though. And I cannot detect the vanilla. I was expecting something like the vanilla taste in Lindt Excellence 70%.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity your Corazon del Ecuador had some problems. I would have thought it to be a great chocolate, the pictures make it look really tempting.
Thanks for the link to that article!
Hi Ana, thanks for your comment as a matter of interest what was the name of your chocolate you were tasting? I'm going to give Duffy's milk chocolate another go in a few months so fingers crossed for a good review.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Christine
This is the chocolate bar.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend as well!