Amano Chocolate

I recently had the good fortune to have been contacted by Amano Chocolate, who wanted to know if I'd like to sample their bars.  I took a quick look at their website and liked what I saw, so I I emailed them back and a short time later samples of their Madagascar and Ocumare chocolate arrived in my mailbox.

First a little about Amano Chocolate -- they are bean to bar which gives their chocolate a truly unique flavor.  They use vintage equipment to manufacture their chocolate, which I think is awesome.  And they also work directly with the growers.  All of this reminds me of my favorite coffee company -- Intelligentsia Coffee.

Now for the bars. . .

Amano Madagascar -- This bar is pictured above, but both bars were quite pretty -- glossy, dark and aromatic.  The chocolate is 70% cacao (as is the Ocumare).  On first bite, the chocolate has a lovely snap, but melts quickly and is nice and smooth on the tongue.  It's a very bright bar -- fruity with a touch of citrus tempered by a slight coffee flavored bitterness.  I loved this bar!  It's one that I could see eating every day. 

Amano Ocumare -- This bar is equally as beautiful and has the same cacao percentage as the Madagascar, but it is a completely different bar.  At first smell, you are inundated with a intense spiciness.  As you place the chocolate on your tongue and allow it to melt, the intense and complex flavor is really lovely.  I tasted tobacco, leather and pepper as well as a touch of ripe fruit.  Overall there was a prevailing smokiness.  Wow -- if you are looking to try some single origin chocolates, give this grand cru a taste!

The thing I like about Amano is that even someone who hasn't tasted a lot of different chocolate will immediately be able to see how unique two chocolates can be after tasting these bars.  I look forward to seeing what other bars they come up with in the future!

I received my bars from Amano to sample, but you can purchase them at their website.

Comments

[Alexandra]

I've seen the Amano chocolates at my local Italian deli- I'm definitely tempted to give them a try soon, when I'm done eating through the stash I still have.