Orinoco Chocolate Co

Orinoco Chocolate Co

On this cloudy and cold afternoon I poured myself a cup of hot water and opened two Orinoco chocolate bars. Both Venezuelan origin.  Both made with maple sugar. I love a comparison tasting. 

Both bars have a hearty snap, both are shaped like cacao pods.

Mérida Criollo bar by Orinoco Chocolate Co

Mérida Criollo, Venezuela 71%

Rich rounded toasty notes of maple start with the melt   As the bar melts more the roast note grows along with brown dried fruit notes leaning into prune.  Smooth texture and a pretty quick melt. Long finish where more chocolate and plum/prune notes come through and the roasty notes become more subtle  

Piaroa Venezuela Chocolate bars by Orinoco Chocolate Co

Piaroa Venezuela 60%

This bar has a plethora of flavor notes that explode as it melts.  The maple is a prominent flavor that becomes very interesting against the crème brûlée (emphasis on the crème) and cashew notes. A few flavor notes later in the melt lean towards very light tropical fruit. Beautiful!  

Orinoco Chocolate Co is in Prescott AZ