Blanco Piura Nibs
by Shattell
Impact
Chocolate crafted from Piura cacáo in Peru garners a lot of attention in this premium niche. A mini-rage kicked off by Zotter & Bonnat, neither of which foretold much of what was in store that would give Piura its reputation for hi-grade chocolate eventually heralded by Original Beans. Many followed in their wake: from award-winning Amedei to Patric's 67% version, the latter arguably the best to date & debatably the bar of 2013 from anyone, anywhere.
Here are some Nibs underlying some Piura (because as Morin proved, Piura comes in vastly different flavor profiles -- AO & CS -- to belie the close proximity of it all.)
Regardless, the first such in a world premiere.
Here are some Nibs underlying some Piura (because as Morin proved, Piura comes in vastly different flavor profiles -- AO & CS -- to belie the close proximity of it all.)
Regardless, the first such in a world premiere.
Appearance 4.4 / 5
| Color: | strangely darker than Shattell's Tingo Maria |
| Surface: | another clean winnowing |
| Temper: | matte throughout |
| Snap: | n/a |
Aroma 7.9 / 10
a cereal grain silo (lightly malted rice, corn, wheat, amaranth) + puff the vapor dragon (alcohol)
Mouthfeel 12 / 15
| Texture: | dry as Piura itself (a relatively arid zone requiring irrigation) without turning into parchment |
| Melt: | mealy mash; laborious |
Flavor 45.7 / 50
pale cocoa draft -> those grains from above (add potatoes) rain in with umami elements (salted-vinegar chips) & hold that rail... passing over a slight green vegetal apparition (lemon verbena) -> naranjilla -> minor magnesium rise -> gradually sets on some dusky oak without ever really ending -> pale ale in the after-glow
Quality 17.8 / 20
Darnedest things; savory control of a crispy potato chip faction unlike any heretofore except Adi's "taro-chip" cocoa. And that little swig of beer at the tail is the final tap to create a gastropub of, pardon the infraction, yum.
Virtually zero bitterness nor much mineral concentration.
Exceedingly considerate for a Nib that presages good chocolate.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa nibs
Reviewed November 19, 2013
Virtually zero bitterness nor much mineral concentration.
Exceedingly considerate for a Nib that presages good chocolate.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa nibs
Reviewed November 19, 2013