I know this is a little bit late in the day but wasn't the Malaysian Grand Prix fun to watch. I think there was more overtaking in this one race than there has been in the past 10 years. It was actually exciting at some points so the Moss household is looking forward to the weekend's racing from China which should have much of the same especially with those very long straights. Lewis Hamilton didn't look very happy when he was being interviewed after the race perhaps he should let the inner rage out like Wayne Rooney?! It's good to get it off your chest. Oh well that's racing for you. Ok, apologies for the slightly random, slightly off at a tangent start to this post. Let's get back to Peru.
This particular dark chocolate has been selected from the province of San Martin in Northern Peru. I'd like to know more about this chocolate but I'm afraid it is difficult to track down any further information from Willies website. The same blurb seems to be written for each bar with a few minor differences. To date I've tasted the Indonesian 69 and the Venezuelan 72 (Rio Caribe Superior). I was going to do a comparison between all three but my son has eaten the Indonesian block! He said it was delicious. Thanks a bunch. There are big differences in the flavours and only slight differences in the colours. The Peru is darker but is not as intense in terms of fruit when compared to the Venezuelan 72 which has a very long lasting flavour.
The Chocolate: As many of you will know Willies chocolate bars are made by hand using equipment that is over a 100 years old in some cases. So, top marks for effort. However, the chocolate is not as bright as some people would normally expect and there are a few holes on the surface but the 'snap' these bars make is deafening! Ok, I'm exaggerating. The bars have a certain rugged appearance to me which is very appealing. The chocolate melts easily on the tongue and there is a slight roughness to the chocolate. The fruity flavour is strong without being bitter in anyway and does not have the slightly woody taste of the Venezuelan 72.
Overall this is a delicious bar of chocolate and I could eat it until the cows came home. Therefore I'm happy to award this bar 8/10. My only complaint is that there isn't enough information on the chocolate. I want to know more! This 80g bar was purchased from Waitrose at a cost of £3.05. If you'd like to buy on line click here.
Note to self. Do not take car into London again without organising a co-pilot! I was at a prestigious bank selling my own wares during the week and had my trusty satellite navigation system to help me. Help me! It went into meltdown what with the high rise buildings, losing signal and roadworks it completely lost the plot and so did I. Fortunately, the journey back was a lot easier and calmer and sat nav stayed out of sight.
Ok, I thought we should try another chocolate bar from Willies Delectable Cacao range, Venezuelan 72, made with Rio Caribe Superior beans. Not to be confused with the limited edition, Venezuela 72 - Hacienda Las Trincheras. For those of you who are new to Willies Cacao there are two main brands 'Supreme' which is a range of pure, single bean, 100% cacao, used predominately for cooking and there are plenty of wonderful recipes to explore in his books and the 'Delectable' range for general eating with cocoa contents of between 69 and 72% depending on the bar. He also makes all his bars by hand with the aid of some ageing machinery developed in the last century.
The packaging is also another difference between the two brands. Blocks (80g) for the Delectable range and chunky (180g) barrels for the Supreme range. The simple use of colours makes this packaging dramatic without being gaudy and OTT. The blocks hold two individually wrapped bars of chocolate with the idea that you have one now and save the other for later. Yeah right, but I like the idea that you might have some self control.
The Chocolate: This particular chocolate is made using fine Trinitario cocoa beans from Rio Caribe Superior that have been carefully roasted to provide forgotten flavours and fruity notes, according to the short description. My only niggle is that I'd like to know more about the bean but that's just me. The chocolate aroma is delicious, with fruity and tobacco notes and a rich cocoa smell.
This particular bar is a bit dull and has a few holes but it has a good snap. There is slightly grainy mouth feel, the dark chocolate quickly melts giving up liquorish and fruity tastes with a hint of smoke in the back ground. The cocoa has a long finish that leaves the palette slightly dry and chalky but this is not a problem. Interesting to taste an 82% and a 70% straight after eating this, the different flavours are amazing. Now my taste buds are in turmoil!
Overall this is a great bar of chocolate apart from the odd blemish which all adds to the fun of eating and experimenting with his chocolate. Based purely on flavour I'm happy to give this bar 8/10. Priced at £3.05 from Waitrose. My advice. Get out there and buy some!
I'm missing the second half of the Italy v Scotland match to write this review of Willies "Indonesian 69". But it sounds like Scotland have the better of Italy! If you've been living in the outer solar system for the past couple of years then you can be excused for not knowing who Willie Harcourt-Cooze is. He is one of two or three truly artisan chocolate makers in the UK. Not only does he have his own cocoa plantation in Venezuela but he makes his own chocolate from bean to bar using equipment from the dark ages. Twelve years ago he and his wife, Tania, sold everything and bought a cacao plantation in Cloud Mountains of Venezuela. To read more about his exploits, his books and of course his chocolate visit Willie's Cacao website, click here.
I picked up three bars of Willie's cacao on a recent outing to Waitrose and I couldn't resist whisking them off the top shelf before I had time to feel guilty! I think the packaging is unusual, with its different type sizes and fonts, which never fails to grab my attention. It is designed by the boys at the Taxi Studio a creative company based in Bristol. I also like the way the bar is divided up into two squares so you can have one now and another one later.
The Chocolate: For those of you who failed Geography GCSE, Indonesia is positioned between Australia and Thailand with Malaysia to the left. As I lived in that part of the world I should know! It did however come as a bit of a surprise to discover that Indonesia is the third largest cocoa producer in the world, according to a report in 2008.
The chocolate itself has a lovely soft and light aroma. The actual presentation isn't perfect with the surface pock marked with a few random holes but I'm gradually learning that this is not a major concern. The chocolate is a bit grainy on the tongue with a fruity and "caramel" bitterness in the background. The finish is also a little bit dry and chalky towards the end with a 'treacle' flavour coming through very late on.
Personally I prefer a Venezuelan chocolate but I'm pleased that I've tasted this unique piece of chocolate as it is totally different to anything I've tasted. Overall I give this bar 7/10 for its very distinctive and interesting flavours. The 80g bar was purchased from Waitrose at a cost of £3.05 which for a handmade product is a fair price. If you like Willis's Cacao you might also like to buy his latest book...
This has to be one of the greatest success stories in the history of chocolate making in the UK! If you've not heard of Willie Harcourt-Cooze then I suggest you visit his website now and start reading up on his amazing story. His website is not one of the easiest to navigate but well worth a visit.
Not only does Willie make his chocolate using antique machinery but he has his very own plantation in Venezuela. I followed his program for months and lived through all the agonizing ups and downs as probably did millions of others. He is one of those great entrepreneurs who just never gives up, whatever the setback. All his hard work and support from his family and friends paid off in the end, as he's now selling his chocolate creations all over the world.
The Packaging: Before you've even popped open the lid the packaging tells you this is likely to be a quality chocolate. The pink lettering against the brown of the box is a bit garish but remember we're talking about Willie Harcourt-Cooze who is anything like a shrinking violet. It has a sophisticated feel about it. Nothing about the environment which is to be expected when you know the focus is on great flavours. The chocolate comes in two squares and each is beautifully presented in gold foil which continues the 'no expense spared' feel.
The Chocolate: There is a loud 'crack' as I break into the little bar. I expected to be darker and am surprised by how light it looks and it certainly does look handmade. That is not a criticism as it looks like it has been hand crafted rather than machine made.
The taste is delicious especially the 'fruit' flavours coming through, raspberries spring to mind! There is definitely a tangy zest from this bar. There is no bitterness only a distinct cocoa flavour as you swallow the last morsel. That's one square demolished!
Ingredients: Dark chocolate - contains cocoa solids (71% min). Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Cuban Raw Cane Sugar.
Overall I give this bar 9/10 as it has superb flavour and great presentation. A bit more information on the environment please!
At £2.99 for 80g from John Lewis it's worth every penny. I'll be back for more.......
