Akesson's Madagascar Criollo 100% Dark Chocolate
Akesson's Madagascar Criollo 100% Dark Chocolate
Weight: 60 g
Made with Estate Grown Cacao
Tree to Bar
Akesson's 100% Madagascar is their second most popular 100% chocolate, (Pralus Le 100% being first).
You see 100% and you might expect something very bitter, but here they have a tart creamy bar that is no doubt intensely strong. It has a very expressive cocoa aroma with subtle fruity-sweet tartness and pleasant flavor notes that evoke citrus and red berries.
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Maker
Akesson's Country
FranceCacao Origin
Madagascar
Certified EU Organic
EU Organic
Manufactured in a facility which also processes dairy
Trace Dairy
Manufactured in a facility which also processes peanuts
Trace Peanuts
Sesame Free
Sesame Free
Manufactured in a facility which also processes soy
Trace Soy
Manufactured in a facility which also processes Tree Nuts
Trace Tree Nut
No animal products, and vegan sugar or alternative sweetener
Vegan+
Manufactured in a facility which also processes wheat or gluten
Trace Gluten
INGREDIENTS & ALLERGENS
INGREDIENTS & ALLERGENS
Ingredients: 100% organic cocoa: organic cocoa beans, organic cocoa butter.
May contain traces of milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy.
SHIPPING & GIFT OPTIONS
SHIPPING & GIFT OPTIONS
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REAL CHOCOLATE
True chocolate has rich, nuanced flavors. Like wine it can vary by the variety of cacao beans, and where it's grown.
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ETHICALLY SOURCED
Chocolate makers that source cacao at high standards beyond Fair Trade, and produce responsibly.
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A CURATED SELECTION
A diverse selection sourced from the top 2% of all chocolate in the world.
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25,000+ HAPPY CUSTOMERS
Once you’ve tasted pure chocolate, the other stuff won’t do. Read verified customer reviews.
Also from the Same Region
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Maker
Akesson'sAkesson's founded by Bertil Akesson is largely responsible for some of the super fine cacao we see coming from Madagascar. Bertil manages several estates in the Sambirano Valley, and also has a few plantations in Indonesia and Brazil. Bertil is one of the pioneers of the bean to bar chocolate movement, and produces a line of single origin and inclusion bars using the spices that also grow on his plantations. Akesson's focuses on high quality cocoa while maintaining sustainable practices. Not only has Akesson's won many awards, other chocolate makers have also won awards for their bars with Akesson's cacao.
Cacao Region
Sambirano Valley, MadagascarPerhaps the most famous growing region in the world, northern Madagascar's Sambirano Valley is known for its incredibly fruity cacao and aromatic herbs & spices. Over the past few decades three main plantations have popped up in the area to supply cacao to chocolate makers around the world, as well as some of the world's most valuable botanicals, namely vanilla, ylang-ylang, and essential oil extracts.
Cacao Estate
Akesson EstatePerhaps one of the most famous origins in the world, Akesson’s Estate consists of several individual farms in northwestern Madagascar’s Sambirano Valley. The most prolific of these is certainly Bejofo Estate, which alone produces around 300 tons of cocoa each year. Over the last decade, Malagasy cacao (cacao grown on Madagascar) has earned a reputation for fruity, almost juicy cacao beans, which transform into some of the most unique chocolate in the world. All of the cacao grown on Akesson Estate is organic-certified.
I have met my match--Akesson's 100% Criollo bar 💥👅
This was surpisingly light for a 100%, looked like many 70s I have enjoyed. The smell was subtle and beautiful, with notes of lemon zest and fresh tart raspberries. However, once you put a piece on your tongue, the astringency will stun you in one punch 👊😯
The subtle aromas become powerful, like you bit directly into a lemon rind coated in cocoa powder. Sour citrus and cocoa bitterness combine into something unstoppable, but I have a plan to enjoy this. This week I intend to make delicious Brigaderios truffles with this bar to see if added sweetness highlights the notes better with less overwhelming astringency.
This bar has one of the best textures I have experienced so far. It is ground a bit on the fine side with no noticeable grittiness, it gives a somewhat dense coating on your tongue yet still feels very smooth. The melt is extremely satisfying.
Flavor wise, I would say this bar is definitely a sensory experience, yet there isn't a single distinct strong flavor, which is perhaps why many describe it as mellow or mild. There is a slight astringency yet sweetness, and noticeable tanginess which gets more noticeable if you chew it or work it with your tongue. You can feel some hits of roasted nuts and citrus, and if you chew it there is sort of an acidic savory flavor (cheesy) that is common to Criollo beans.
Overall, I think this bar is really great value and a great 100% Criollo bar. Definitely also recommended to introduce people to 100% bars.
You just think you don’t like 100% chocolate. Taste this and you will change your mind. They way it melts in your mouth is, well, it’s just sexy!
If you want to try your first 100% bar, try this one. Another reviewer calls this mellow, and that’s exactly what it is. The first time I tried it, I couldn’t believe it had no sugar in it. It’s smooth, mellow. The notes mention citrus and red berries, but your palate won’t be assaulted by sharpness; those truly are subtle hints. Considering how exquisite this bar is, it’s a great value.
Excellent chocolate: flavor and texture
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