This week’s bar is from far afield. A UK manufacturer, and the farm the cacao comes from the Solomon Islands.
Chocolate from this part of the world has some pretty unique characteristics to it. The volcanic soil, the humidity levels, and the fact that most of the islands in the area are incredibly mountainous.
The end result is pretty wildly variable, with some interesting notes that I haven’t really found in other places.
Solomon Islands, Makira Island 75%
by Firetree Chocolate
https://firetreechocolate.co.uk/collections/chocolate-bars/products/solomon-islands-makira-island
Cacao: 75%
Type: Bar, light perforations on one side.
Description: Single origin dark chocolate.
Notes (per Firetree): “Honey, Sweet Grapefruit, and Toasted Almonds.”
Session One
Smell -> A touch spicy
Snap -> A nice loud, firm snap to it.
Prime -> Candied fruit? Really brief but astringent finish.
Back Teeth -> The thought that came to mind: like a toasted marshmallow drizzled in mango honey.
Chewing to a mass and then melt -> Fruit, but it melts too fast and feels wasteful, that you are missing a lot of the notes.
Long melt, then chew -> Wow, VERY citrusy chocolate. Need to take a break between chunks.
Session Two
Music: Spirit Adrift (heavy metal) (youtube)
Prime -> Toasted… pomegranate? It looks nonsensical when written down, but it is what came to mind.
Long melt and chew -> Citrusy finish, astringent on the side tongue just before chewing.
Medium chew / melt -> Has the dry mouth feel.
Chewing around the mouth -> Fruit that turns into.. cloves? And raisins and almonds? It’s odd!
Dia’s Rating: 3 of 5 (
)
I’m not sure I like that.
It’s pretty darn complex, and that astringent fruit is REALLY strong and in your face the whole time. I kept catching hints and… well, notes of other flavors. One thing I did I want to write down was that, similar to other bars from this part of the world? It wasn’t very “chocolate” forward. It’s there, of course, but it’s definitely playing second fiddle to the other notes.
I have another bar from Firetree from a different farm and island. I’m very curious as to what it’ll be like.
Chocolate from this part of the world has some pretty unique characteristics to it. The volcanic soil, the humidity levels, and the fact that most of the islands in the area are incredibly mountainous.
The end result is pretty wildly variable, with some interesting notes that I haven’t really found in other places.
Solomon Islands, Makira Island 75%
by Firetree Chocolate
https://firetreechocolate.co.uk/collections/chocolate-bars/products/solomon-islands-makira-island
Cacao: 75%
Type: Bar, light perforations on one side.
Description: Single origin dark chocolate.
Notes (per Firetree): “Honey, Sweet Grapefruit, and Toasted Almonds.”
Session One
Smell -> A touch spicy
Snap -> A nice loud, firm snap to it.
Prime -> Candied fruit? Really brief but astringent finish.
Back Teeth -> The thought that came to mind: like a toasted marshmallow drizzled in mango honey.
Chewing to a mass and then melt -> Fruit, but it melts too fast and feels wasteful, that you are missing a lot of the notes.
Long melt, then chew -> Wow, VERY citrusy chocolate. Need to take a break between chunks.
Session Two
Music: Spirit Adrift (heavy metal) (youtube)
Prime -> Toasted… pomegranate? It looks nonsensical when written down, but it is what came to mind.
Long melt and chew -> Citrusy finish, astringent on the side tongue just before chewing.
Medium chew / melt -> Has the dry mouth feel.
Chewing around the mouth -> Fruit that turns into.. cloves? And raisins and almonds? It’s odd!
Dia’s Rating: 3 of 5 (
)I’m not sure I like that.
It’s pretty darn complex, and that astringent fruit is REALLY strong and in your face the whole time. I kept catching hints and… well, notes of other flavors. One thing I did I want to write down was that, similar to other bars from this part of the world? It wasn’t very “chocolate” forward. It’s there, of course, but it’s definitely playing second fiddle to the other notes.
I have another bar from Firetree from a different farm and island. I’m very curious as to what it’ll be like.