Anna Shea
Impact
Somewhat exaggerated infusions / flavor curves. Probably wouldn’t hang with Anna Shea all the time but, like that other Anna – (Nicole Smith) - you definitely want her.
Presentation 4.8 / 5
sultry coquet; pink powder room package w/ fine eye-candy inside, several of them heart-shaped, all of hot temper & coated color - fruit paté & ‘lollimallows’, + embedded messages like ‘indulge’, ‘surrender’.... femme fatale or just feminine fatalism?
Aromas 3.6 / 5
darkly, though tenderly, perfumed in caramel sandalwoods
Textures/Melt 7.9 / 10
| Shells: | medium to thick |
| Centers: | living up to her botanical name - shea butter soft (occasionally liquid ooze) |
Flavor 43.8 / 50
lives up to her athletic name – Shea stadium strong
Quality 25.9 / 30
Some imbalances & a shy chocolate base but, overall, gradually making her way into the small class of top American chocolatiers.
Selections
| Couverture: | Guittard |
Cognac Caramel – oozes up good & flavorful w/out hitting the wall of obliteration; instead all elements magically subsume in each another
Orange Clove Carmel – liquid center; citric dominant, w/ clove a mere component in wet caramel
Honey Rum – another in the bleeding heart series... light linden-style honey against young white rum, meticulously matched... smooth... clarifying
Spiced Tea – very chai, masala
Blackcurrant – high-fruit register fights over underlying 4-spice arrangement; self-incompatible
Anise-Gianduja – pyramidal standout
Orange Clove Carmel – liquid center; citric dominant, w/ clove a mere component in wet caramel
Honey Rum – another in the bleeding heart series... light linden-style honey against young white rum, meticulously matched... smooth... clarifying
Spiced Tea – very chai, masala
Blackcurrant – high-fruit register fights over underlying 4-spice arrangement; self-incompatible
Anise-Gianduja – pyramidal standout