Pacari Chocolate is another great company I was introduced to last week at both Indulge LA and the LA Chocolate Salon. Pacari is family owned and partners directly with organically certified cocoa farms, to purchase quality beans above market prices. They take pride in keeping all production local to help support Ecuador’s economy, the environment and sustainable organic agriculture. Ecuador is home to the coveted Arriba Nacional bean, which is said to be the only “fine flavor” Forastero bean.
Not only did I get to try many of their delicious flavor bars like Lemongrass, Andean Blueberry and Merken, I bought a few things to bring home. Like the Salt & Nibs bar, “Sal del Cuzco” an impossibly hard to put down chocolate with it’s addictive saltiness and subtle crunch. I thought the salt was a bit overpowering at first and you would never know this sweet and smooth chocolate is dark(60%). This bar is certain to turn any one on-to dark chocolate that doesn’t already have a taste for it. Not to mention these dark chocolate chocolate covered cacao nibs which are equally as addictive, pleasantly crunchy and without a hint of bitterness!
Pacari(meaning nature), also promotes a line of raw chocolate made with un-roasted beans and handles the processing at low temperatures to maintain higher levels of antioxidants and minerals naturally found in cacao. Because this chocolate is not heavily processed it has larger particles and is not as smooth or quick to melt on the tongue as most European style chocolates. I decided to keep it “low” and chose the 70% over the 85% and 100% they offer. Arriba beans are notorious for jasmine and floral characteristics and I have a hard time picking these out through the strong cocoa flavor but I do sense a slightly tart and fruity taste, a slight bitterness lingers on the finish.
I am really amazed at the quality of this chocolate, it’s no wonder they won 7 awards at the LA Chocolate Salon! Pacari is easily now one of my favorite single origin, organic, bean to bar chocolate makers.