What We're Eating: Fresco Jamaica 210

It's Fresco Chocolate week at Chocolopolis! We're featuring two Bars of the Week this week since two of our team members chose Fresco chocolate as their picks. Rob Anderson from Fresco Chocolate will be here on Saturday from 1-3pm, handing out samples and talking chocolate. Sebastian reviewed Fresco Ghana earlier this week, and now it's Emily's turn to review her favorite Fresco bar. Hope we'll see you Saturday! - Lauren, Chief Chocophile

Fresco Jamaica
I'm back with my staff pick for Anniversary month. This one is near and dear to me right now. In fact, it traveled 3,172 miles with me to visit it's country of Origin. Don't you bring chocolate with you when you travel? You never know what the supply might be like wherever you end up, so it's always a good idea to have a stash on hand.

What a view right?

The ocean looks pretty good too.

My husband and I savored this bar one little square at a time while lounging pool side trying to describe it to each other (I'm sure our fellow pool-goers thought us quite strange). Boy is it elusive.  Hints of jasmine and tropical fruits with a subtle, rustic, almost smoky taste ending in a sweet (but not too sweet) finish. Every time I eat it I am transported back to those warm beaches and turquoise seas with the smell of the jerk hut wafting our way. Chocolate is a powerful memory, and Fresco's Jamaica 210 will definitely stick in my memory.

Cheers!
Emily
Purveyor of fine chocolate

What We're Eating: Michel Cluizel Mangaro Noir

Madagascar is always one of my favorite regions. I love sampling it to people and watching the disbelief in their eyes at the flavor profiles hidden within. It is often where I steer the reluctant dark chocolate eater because the underlying notes are so pleasant and interesting many can hardly believe it is dark chocolate. Cluizel's Mangaro Noir 65% is no exception to this rule.



It is not surprising that this bar has quite a few awards under its belt. The wonderful chocolaty aroma greets you immediately upon opening the packaging, followed by a smooth texture with sweet, tart cherry notes that are woven perfectly through this intense chocolate experience. Hints of coffee and exotic spices round out this pleasingly mellow bar. Not one to beat you over the head with the classic Madagascar flavors, this bar is chocolate through and through. Why not stop by and try it some time? We will be sampling all day Saturday but if you'd rather, stop by any time and ask for a taste. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers!
Emily
Purveyor of fine chocolate and operations extraordinaire

A Few of Your Favorite Things

Not surprisingly, one of the most common questions we get here at the store is "What's your most popular bar?" (right after "What's your favorite bar?" which can be difficult to answer and thus a question for another time). With a wall of artisan chocolate that boasts over 200 bars from more than 20 countries, choosing which one you want to try can be difficult for even the most seasoned chocolate lover. After all, they are all delicious!

Chocolopolis Wall of Bars

Some take a systematic approach and work from one side of the wall to the other, trying each bar at least once. Some pick a bar they love and stick with it. Some go for what's new. While others steer clear of the whole problem entirely and choose to simply mainline their chocolate in the form of our delectable drinks.

For those of you who haven't settled on a system of chocolate eating I've compiled a list of our most popular bars this year to help guide your decision making.

Top 10 Bars 2012 (so far)

1.  Francois Pralus Le 100% Dark Chocolate
 
2. Chocolopolis Dark Orchard Bar

3. Dandelion Madagascar 70% Dark Chocolate

4. Chocolopolis Salty Dark Bar
 
5. Rogue Sambirano 70% Dark Chocolate
 
6. Chocolopolis Spicy Aztec Dark Bar
 
7. E. Guittard Nocturne 91% Dark Chocolate
 
8. Chocolat Moderne Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Bar
 
9. Rogue Hispaniola 70% Dark Chocolate
 
10. Valrhona Palmira 64% Dark Chocolate


It may come as a surprise to some that a 100% bar would be our most popular but don't knock it 'till you've tried it. While this is no means a guarantee you will love all of the bars on our list, you may feel emboldened to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. For full descriptions and online buying click the links.

What are your favorites? Did we hit them on this list or is there something just spectacular that you think everyone should try? Tell me, what is your favorite bar and why?


Cheers!
Emily

P.S. Check back with us Thursday on Facebook or Twitter for a special treat just for our Thursday Happy Hour. 

P.P.S. Don't forget to get your tickets for Arcade Lights this Friday. We'd love to see you there!