Madagascar
by Holy Cacao
Impact
Holy Cacao from Israel divining in on cocoa sourced out of Madagascar where places like Ambohimanga – the Jerusalem of the island -- comprise one of the 12 sacred hills in the country.
Perhaps one for each of the lost tribes.
The Almighty, after all, has purposes of its own.
Perhaps one for each of the lost tribes.
The Almighty, after all, has purposes of its own.
Appearance 4.2 / 5
| Color: | Madagascar's tell-tale orange-umber |
| Surface: | voids & divots in a thick, hefty pur |
| Temper: | polished |
| Snap: | big build |
Aroma 7.8 / 10
heavy, & for a Madagascar, inhabiting the lower realms -- hazelnuts, cedar, vetiver
aerates an imposing chocolate head
aerates an imposing chocolate head
Mouthfeel 13.1 / 15
| Texture: | slick |
| Melt: | metronomic |
Flavor 46.6 / 50
superb start on chocolate-vetiver -> cedar sprouts into slight acid (baobab fruit tree: click image upper right & think pear x grapefruit), followed by sweet strawberry, then the 2 fruits together (excellent) -> honeysuckle rosewood -> hazelnut (to be expected, still to be enchanted) -> slow, gradual dissolve on orange blossom in a white chocolate mousse (sensational) as the added cocoa butter influences the outcome -> exits Nutella® (the hangover of the earlier chocolate & hazelnuts)
Quality 18.4 / 20
Terrifically balanced.
Madagascan chocolates tend to cleave between the brassy high bars and the more baser bearing ones with a few that split the differences. This squarely fits the middle crossover category but to a much greater degree that encompasses the full spectrum of the island's cacáo traits & at such strong magnitude & definition for a midrange profile. For example, one of the most orange-inflected chocolates from here…. or anywhere for that matter.
Bars like this shall solidify the reputation of Holy Cacao's Jo Zander as the King David of barsmiths out to slay the chocolate Goliaths.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin
Reviewed June 25, 2014
Madagascan chocolates tend to cleave between the brassy high bars and the more baser bearing ones with a few that split the differences. This squarely fits the middle crossover category but to a much greater degree that encompasses the full spectrum of the island's cacáo traits & at such strong magnitude & definition for a midrange profile. For example, one of the most orange-inflected chocolates from here…. or anywhere for that matter.
Bars like this shall solidify the reputation of Holy Cacao's Jo Zander as the King David of barsmiths out to slay the chocolate Goliaths.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin
Reviewed June 25, 2014