After Valentine’s Day I felt like shaking things up a bit so I created this online profile:

If you’re rich, dark, have good taste, and are between 70-80, you just might be my type. But If you have a bad temper or are bitter, keep on scrolling. FYI, the bar scene is totally my thing and I’m open to internationals. Vegans are preferred.

Guess what? I got six matches immediately, and let me tell you…these guys are smooth, sweet, and easy on the eyes! There’s one American in the bunch, but otherwise they’re European, with South American or African ancestry. It all happened so quickly, but I found myself falling head over heels in love, and they practically melted when they met me, so I guess the feeling was mutual. 

Of course I had to introduce them to my husband who said, “Wow, I can see why you like them so much! The Italians are particularly nice, but they’re all really great. Enjoy them!” What an open minded guy that Michael is!

So, should I spill the beans about my new loves? These chocolates are truly spectacular, and I’m certain you will want them in your life, just like I do. Wait a minute…were you thinking that I set up that profile to meet men??? No, silly goose! The 70-80 set is for my Aunt Ida! Anyone older than 40 and this chocolate lover swipes left!

 Below are mini bios of these incredible chocolates. Something you should know about all six of them is that they are velvety smooth, revealing gorgeous flavor notes as they melt luxuriously on your palate. They are also vegan (and gluten-free). 

The Mike and Becky Cusco Peru 75% is a dreamboat crafted by a husband and wife team in Brussels, Belgium, and boasts tasting notes of citrus, mocha and cherry. The beans come from an entirely women-run cacao cooperative. The packaging is stunning as is the imprint on the bar. Look for the cute little monkey hiding in the tree! 

The Karuna Tanzania 70% is also crafted by a husband and wife team and comes to us from the heart of the Italian Alps. This bar is a harmonious mélange of so many lip-smacking notes such as cherry, malt, caramel, coffee, chocolate brownie, green apple, lime, tangerine and honey. Flavor-packed, this bar is also as easy on the eyes as it is scrumptious! The botanical motif on the packaging and imprint makes it quite the little masterpiece.

Next up are two bars by Idilio…a pair of gentlemen in Switzerland whose mission is to create dark “Château” chocolates for gourmets. They craft their bars with rare and precious Venezuelan beans, and the results are super chocolatey yet also incredibly sophisticated. The delicate and voluptuous melting quality of all Idilio chocolate is achieved through a unique combination of fine rolling and traditional conching (a process whereby ground cacao beans are continuously mixed and aerated at controlled temperatures to achieve a smooth texture and enhanced flavor). Stay tuned for the Idilio Milk Chocolate which is outstanding and arriving later this week.

The Amano Cuyagua, Venezuela is the one bar crafted by an American…but there is a nod to Europe as  “Amano” means “they love” and “by hand” in Italian. Art Pollard, based in Utah, is the maker, and the flavor journey here is long and delectable. There’s a hint of mystery and spice in the opening notes that blossoms into the full-bodied flavor of vanilla-infused whipped cream. It’s such a treat!

There is one non-bar outlier in the group. It’s called the Giuinott, and the best way I can describe it is as an individually wrapped, ingot-shaped, soft chocolate hazelnut truffle. It’s crafted from rare Venezuelan Chuao beans and protected PGI Piedmontese hazelnuts, which maker Guido Castagna calls “Piedmont’s gold.” If you’ve ever had gianduiotti, these Giuinotti are the same concept, and if you’ve never had them, start with the best!

I get to meet a lot of chocolate in my line of work. Consider the possibility that my expert chocolate matchmaking services might put a lively new spring in your step. Tell me what you’re seeking in an ideal chocolate bar or treat and I’ll hook you up free of charge. This is all in a day’s work for a chocolate sommelier! Keep in mind that new bars and treats are arriving all the time at Barometer Chocolate. I’m always curating the collection to provide the premier craft chocolate experience for my customers.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s an alluring cluster of Europeans and one high-spirited American who have been vying for my attention the whole time I’ve been working on this newsletter. Earlier, I promised I’d go with them to the new hot spot in town (which isn’t actually hot but set at a nice, temperate 70 degrees to keep the chocolate happy). Perhaps you’ve heard of the place? It’s called the Single Origin Bar. Grab your chocolates and meet us there!

Cheers!

Nadine 💘

Chocolate Sommelier + Matchmaker Extraordinaire