Bar of the Week: Pralus' Colombie

Our bar of the week is another staff favorite that we featured earlier in the year.  A 75% dark chocolate of single-origin Trinitario beans, Pralus' Colombie combines the nutty and coffee notes common to the region's chocolates with Pralus' typical heavy roast and creamy texture.  If you're a fan of strong coffee, this bar will probably appeal. 

Since Chocolopolis will be closed for a brief holiday next weekend, we'll have samples of Pralus' Colombie on Friday, December 31st. 

Bar of the Week: Pacari's Los Rios

Our bar of the week comes from family-owned Ecuadorian chocolate maker Pacari, and features arriba nacional cacao grown Ecuador's Los Rios region.  The 72% dark chocolate Los Rios bar is organic, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and certified kosher.  According to Pacari, “The Los Rios bar evokes the exotic aromas of the lush tropical forests where the cacao is grown. You will find strong upfront cacao with notes of fruit blossom and subtle finish of guanábana and roasted coffee.”

Since we will be closed on Christmas Day, we'll offer samples of Pacari's Los Rios on Friday, December 24th.

Bar of the Week: Valrhona's Palmira

Our bar of the week is the 2010 vintage Palmira from Valrhona, a 64% dark chocolate made from criollo cacao grown on the Palmira plantation in west Venezuela. Notes of fruit and cocoa are underlined by a pronounced honeyed sweetness that lingers for a long finish.

Since properly stored dark chocolate can keep indefinitely, Valrhona's policy of labeling each batch of Palmira with a year rather than just an expiration date suggests that it might a good candidate for aging.  Perhaps a few years in a cool, dry place would allow Palmira's flavor profile to develop even more character.  For comparison's sake, why not get one for snacking and one for cellaring? 

Be sure to come by for a taste of "fresh" 2010 Palmira on Saturday, December 18th.

Bar of the Week: Amedei's Toscano Black 70%

As we approach the holidays it's easy to imagine our bar of the week's elegant black wrapper as the confectionery equivalent of a tuxedo or LBD.  And Amedei's Toscano Black 70% bar tastes every bit as refined as it looks. 

The Toscano Black range features a top-secret blend of different cacaos developed by Italian makers Amedei.  The 70% dark chocolate bar is rich and complex, with berry and floral top notes and a smooth, creamy texture. 

Come by for a sample of Amedei's Toscano Black 70% on Saturday, December 11th.