Amano Madagascar 70% Dark Chocolate

Manufacturer: Amano
Cocoa Content: 70%
Location: Madagascar
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+

Up for review today is the Amano Madagascar 70% dark chocolate bar. The Madagascar, like many Madagascan dark chocolates, is fairly light in color for a 70% chocolate. It is light mahogany in color with a reddish-orange hue.

On the palate there is a rich espresso-chocolate roasted note up front. Acidity pops out vibrantly with lemon peel citrus flavor and some tart berry notes. In the background there are hints at earthiness and green bell pepper. Some herbaceousness combines with the citrus to hint at a bit of lemongrass. Chewing the Amano Madagascar opens up a big lemonade note along with blackberries and a faint woodiness. The chocolate melts to a smooth consistency, but the bar itself feels rather course under the tongue as the chocolate melts. The finish has equal portions of lemonade and espresso.

The Amano Madagascar is one of the best tasting chocolates I've had in quite some time. The citrus takes the lead with the roast following right after and there is a wealth of complex undertones like earth and fresh herbs to back them up. I love the flavor combination of lemonade and espresso, and all the supporting flavors marry perfectly. That's why it's such a shame that the texture was so flawed on this chocolate bar. If Amano gets the texture issues worked out on this one, then their Madagascar could very well stand up with the best of the best.

Amano Guayas 70% Dark Chocolate

Manufacturer: Amano
Cocoa Content: 70%
Location: Ecuador
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+

Up for tasting today is the Amano Guayas. This dark chocolate bar is made with cocoa from Ecuador's Guayas River basin. The Guayas bar is a deep mahogany color with ruby highlights.

The initial flavor on the palate is a black coffee roasted note. Acidity develops after a few seconds, with a distinctive plantain/green banana note. There is a faint hazelnut flavor along with grassy/woody highlights. Chewing the Guayas opens up flavors of vanilla, gooseberries and blackberries. While the consistency is not noticeably gritty, it isn't quite as smooth as I'd like. The finish has roasted coffee notes along with some bitter hazelnuts.

The Amano Guayas is a complex dark chocolate bar with distinct flavor. The downfall of chocolate with such a distinct flavor is that it won't always work with everyone's palate. In the Guayas's case, there is some bitter note that I just can't place that doesn't quite work for me. Regardless, this is still another quality chocolate from Amano that is well worth checking out.

Amano Ocumare 70% Dark Chocolate

Manufacturer: Amano
Cocoa Content: 70%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+

Today's tasting is the Amano Ocumare, a 70% dark chocolate bar made with cacao from the Ocumare Valley in Venezuela. The Ocumare bar is mahogany in color with a reddish-purple tint. The palate finds roasted chocolate notes up front along with some smokiness and a pleasant bitter kick. The acidity builds, opening up flavors of blackberry, blueberry and plum. Spice notes of black pepper, bell pepper and mint sit in the background with some earth and floral notes.

Chewing the Ocumare brings forward mint, vanilla, earth and a cedary wood note. The mouthfeel is very smooth and creamy, leaving a slight cooling sensation on the tongue. The finish has lingering bitter and roast flavors over juicy acid/fruit notes.

The Ocumare is a very good showing from Amano. This is a complex, well-balanced dark chocolate. The only fault I find is that no one feature stands out. The Ocumare is almost too balanced and complex for its own good. And as far as chocolate goes, that's not such a bad problem to have.

Amano Dos Rios 70% Dark Chocolate

Manufacturer: Amano
Cocoa Content:70%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A

Up for tasting today is the Dos Rios, a 70% dark chocolate bar of Dominican origin by American chocolate maker Amano. The chocolate bar is mahogany in color with a reddish-orange tint. Snapping off a piece of the bar releases a distinctive citrus aroma that is the first hint that there is something unique with this chocolate. The palate first detects this distinct citrus character (reminiscent of Earl Grey tea), which is followed by woody notes and clove. The Dos Rios has a moderate, balanced acidity which leads to notes of bing cherry and pomegranate. Undertones of caramel and black pepper play a complimentary role as well.

Chewing the Amano Dos Rios bar brings forward notes of orange peel, vanilla and sweet cherries. The Dos Rios has a thick, creamy mouthfeel with just the faintest amount of grittiness. The finish is dominated by fruit with a touch of bitter and roasted notes, akin to peach cobbler chased with a shot of espresso. The powerful citrus note seems to linger forever on the palate as the finish fades.

Amano has a real standout chocolate here with their Dos Rios dark chocolate bar. The distinct citrus note is supported by a nice woody spice. Amano has really nailed the level of acidity on this one as well. Any more and the fruit would be overpowering; any less and it would be flat. I've had other chocolates with notably distinct flavors, but none have had the balance and complexity that the Dos Rios has. The flavors here are just crying out to have Granny Smith apple slices dipped in it. Too bad this bar won't last long enough for me to try that out...