Duffy's Corazon Del Ecuador - Milk Chocolate 43% Revisited

Willy Wonka is on TV and Oompa Loompas are running riot so I thought I would be the opportunity to sit down and do a little chocolate reviewing. 

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that I have reviewed this bar a few weeks ago. The issue then related to texture which was caused by organic sugar used in the process of making the bar. So, I was delighted to have another chance to review this bar. Duffy informed me that he has been conching this chocolate for some considerable time to ensure it is absolutely perfect.

To those of you who are new to the complicated world of chocolate conching involves heating the chocolate to high temperatures somewhere between 54-71 C and stirring it continuously until if forms a pure homogenous liquid. During conching important chemical changes take place which help develop the chocolate's flavour. Some chocolate makers like to add Lecithin an emulsifier at this stage of the process. 

The Chocolate: This is an 80g single origin artisan milk chocolate bar made from Ecuadorian Calceta beans. At a 43% cocoa content this milk chocolate is close to becoming a dark chocolate so it should have plenty of flavour. On the surface the bar is beautifully tempered and shiny with a good snap! Ok, so it looks good but how does it taste? Well I'm pleased to say that the grainy texture has all gone and the chocolate is smooth and full of flavour. Duffy it was worth all that hard work! It's perfect! It's unbelievable! It's a miracle! Ok I'll stop quoting Willy Wonka but take my word for it this chocolate is so good.


According to the tasting notes on the bar's wrapper I should be picking up, deep warm flavours with hints of citrus, soft fruit and bananas. For me I'm only picking up rich, sweet cocoa flavours which are very comforting and moorish! I'm annoyed that I can't pick out the banana flavour but oh well. This particular bar contains organic sugar, cocoa beans, cocoa butter and milk powder.

Duffy's Corazon Del Ecuador 43% Milk 

Overall I give this bar 8/10 for flavour and presentation. At £3.50 for an 80g bar this is good value for money. Stock up before Christmas is my suggestion. Duffy's bars can also be found in Harvey Nichols stores around the UK.

To buy this park click on the link Red Star Chocolate


You might also want to read other reviews of Duffy's chocolate

Previous review of Duffy's 43% Milk Chocolate


Duffy's 72% Fine Dark Chocolate

Duffy's Star of Peru 70%

Duffy's or Red Star Chocolates Ltd is all about single origin chocolate bars from around the world. 25 years ago Duffy Sheardown was involved in the heart thumping and adrenalin fueled sport of Motor Racing now he's turned his hand to chocolate making. You might imagine this would be a less stressful way of life but from the little I know about chocolate making it certainly isn't relaxing. Especially if you are one of the few people that like to be involved in nearly every single stage of chocolate production. Based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes Duffy sets about producing his single origin chocolate bars from cleaning the beans through roasting, grinding, conching to tempering. I understand that apart from Willie Harcourt-Cooze he is the second person in the UK to produce single origin chocolate from bean to bar.

Duffy certainly has high standards and he goes a long way to ensure that his cocoa beans and sugar are ethically sourced. Unfortunately, due to some Fairtrade technicality he can't call state that his sugar is Fairtrade. However, on his packaging all his ingredients state that they are Fairly traded and Organic. In the longterm Duffy is looking to share his profits with the very farmers that provide him with his cocoa. But first he has to make a profit! 

The Packaging: Duffy seems to have a knack not only for all things chocolate but also his packaging. This particular item is presented clearly and with no fuss. The information on the back tells you exactly what you want to know with simple tasting notes provide sufficient information as to what you might expect. Other producers take note! 

The Chocolate: I have to admit that I've not eaten anything this morning so I'm champing at the bit for a piece of this chocolate! The bar is wrapped in a seductive red foil and as soon as you open it you are hit by a delicious waft of blackcurrant and heady cocoa. The aromas are so rich and I haven't even eaten a piece. There is no decoration on the bar and 'no fuss' approach flows through this chocolate. It has a great shine and superb snap. The spice flavours coming through are not overpowering but I can't pick out the hazelnut, I must try harder. There is a slight dryness to my tongue and roof of my mouth. Don't get me wrong this is not unpleasant. At the end there is a definite hint of blackcurrant. 

This is an excellent chocolate not only in terms of flavour and presentation but also in price. £3.50 for an 80g handmade bar is not unreasonable. I have two more bars to sample and when these are gone I'll definitely be back for more. Overall I give this bar 9/10.


To purchase Duffy's Star of Peru 70% visit his shop