Samoa 73%
by Cravve
Impact
Mau a Pule literally translates as 'strongly held opinion'. It references a steadfast non-violent movement in Samoa despite scores of its members being gunned down on “Black Saturday” in 1929 (well before Ghandi & MLK Jr.).
This chocolate equally stands its ground even as the bar melts away.
This chocolate equally stands its ground even as the bar melts away.
Appearance 4 / 5
| Color: | magenta slate |
| Surface: | whorls & swirls; nano-bubbles; grease splatter; release marks... the list grows on... |
| Temper: | confused |
| Snap: | rocks it |
Aroma 8.2 / 10
a pliant cocoa backbone stands by the blossom of oncidium (the sharry ‘baby’ variety which inheres its own vanilla-chocolate) & sweetly balsamic kewda (Pandanus odoratissimus) -> plumes of chocolate bend toward musky / sweaty... alas, vinegar (acetic acid)
Mouthfeel 12.4 / 15
| Texture: | granular just on the rubdown with the thumb; magnified on the tongue |
| Melt: | thin pour = quick release |
Flavor 44.9 / 50
gentle cardamom passes onto eucalyptus-mint -> envelops stout chocolate (nothing too deep; just nicely dark) with some kava underpinning (rare) & bamboo + pandanus leaf (wood-nut-hay) -> light balsamic borrowed from the aromatic kewda (above) -> slight moss / fern -> caustic finish
Quality 16.7 / 20
Sourced from the same broker as Pacific Biokoko's Samoa Gold.
Evidently a different allotment than that one as this displays a combination uncontrolled ferment / insufficient conche in the Aroma. Only a little of which shows thru on the palate though. Different experiences in the Flavor dept as well. The 2 flip the field on each other: Biokoko's exudes lots of fruit tones & null chocolate; Cravve 73% here delivers just the opposite.
Streamline / very focused (washing the seeds post-harvst removes compounds that contribute to flavor pre-cursors). The few offsets (such as the mint) might derive from machinery that also handles herbs in flavored chocolate confection since these notes pop up in other Cravve's bars.
Whatever the case, a uniquely Samoan chocolate that heralds this tiny island boasts some supple yet sturdy cacáo.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter
Reviewed January 29, 2013
Evidently a different allotment than that one as this displays a combination uncontrolled ferment / insufficient conche in the Aroma. Only a little of which shows thru on the palate though. Different experiences in the Flavor dept as well. The 2 flip the field on each other: Biokoko's exudes lots of fruit tones & null chocolate; Cravve 73% here delivers just the opposite.
Streamline / very focused (washing the seeds post-harvst removes compounds that contribute to flavor pre-cursors). The few offsets (such as the mint) might derive from machinery that also handles herbs in flavored chocolate confection since these notes pop up in other Cravve's bars.
Whatever the case, a uniquely Samoan chocolate that heralds this tiny island boasts some supple yet sturdy cacáo.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter
Reviewed January 29, 2013