DISTINGUISHED BEANS
Reviewing the best in craft chocolate
Fjåk
Fjåk is Norway's first bean-to-bar chocolate maker. They offer a range of single origin and inclusion bars.
Madagascar Åkesson's Estate, Bejofo 70%
Aroma:
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Flavor:
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Recommendation: Coming soon!
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Batch info:
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Tanzania Kilombero Valley, Kokoa Kamili Co-op 70%
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Aroma: leather, dried mango, cocoa powder
Flavor: Dried red fruit flavors are central: raisin, dried raspberry (raspberry fruit leather), dried cherry, raspberry jam, fig jam. Bitterness and astringency are minimal and acidity is balanced, enhancing the fruitiness. A slight coffee-like bitterness lingers.
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Recommendation: Recommended.
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Uganda Semuliki 70%
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Flavor: Raisin, fig jam, port wine/an alcohol type flavor. Some good flavors but also some over-ripe fruit, slight muddiness. This batch of beans could be slightly overfermented. Really well-made bar though, good texture, appropriate roast, nicely brings out the flavor of the cacao.
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Recommendation: Recommended with reservations. Not our favorite, not bad though. Super intense flavor! Never had anything quite like that. Literally tastes like biting into dried fruit.
India 68%
Aroma: licorice, anise, floral, spices, dried figs
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Flavor: banana bread, fried plantains, mellow fruitiness, not super tangy, red wine, brown sugar. The flavor is pleasant, mild, and fades quickly.
Recommendation: Recommended with reservations. It is pleasant, but I liked the brightness and intensity of flavor in the India bars from Solstice and French Broad better.
Batch info: Best by September 2021