Next up in our chocolate investigation, we sampled 3 single-source chocolate bars from Kallari, a cooperative of 850 indigenous Kichwa families in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Kallari Association pays a high premium for beans and puts 100% of the profits from sales back into the cooperative to support sustainable development, health and education programs. Because of this, Kallari claims their chocolate is four times as fair as ‘Fair Trade'. (They choose to carry the Rainforest Alliance seal instead of being certified by the Fair Trade Association)
And if you're wondering what single-source means, it simply means that the cocoa beans come from one specific location, as opposed to a blend of beans from all over the world, as is very common with chocolate manufacturing. It does NOT mean however, that the beans are all one variety. Similar to wine, Kallari chocolates are a blend of varietals, the most prominent being the Cacao Nacional de Arriba bean.
Kallari produces 3 types of bars - 85% cocoa, 75% cocoa and 70% cocoa. Yep, that's it - no hazelnut or cherry or flavor of the day. Just cocoa, sugar and vanilla. But enough explanation, how did they taste? The wild thing is that each bar tastes different, even though the basic ingredients are the same.
70% Cocoa - The 'sweetest' of the bars (although it's all relative, this stuff is not sweet compared to the chocolate most people eat). My 9 year old said it was creamy and I liked the way it melts in your mouth. Mmmmmmm!
75% Cocoa- My husband noticed the concentration of cocoa flavor and the long finish (remember, he's the wine guy!). I noticed that it was more bitter than the 70% but in a good way. My palate must not be very well developed because the description of this bar speaks of a rich passion fruit flavor and I was at a complete loss to notice any fruit in this bar. I liked it though...it's very rich and a bit smoky.
85% Cocoa- Whoa! This is one strong chocolate bar! Once again my husband had the most salient point: it seems more like an ingredient than something you would eat on its own. I would have to agree. While I enjoyed trying it, this chocolate was very satiating...it didn't leave me clamoring for more.
You can find Kallari chocolate bars at many Whole Foods locations as well as on chocosphere.com. Buy some for your sweetie and have your own little chocolate tasting experience!!
(come back tomorrow for Part 3 of my search for great Organic, Fair-Trade chocolate!)