The La Esmeralda 67% Dark Chocolate bar is an International Chocolate Awards winner as well as one of my husband’s most treasured bars. I am delighted to have it in my collection!

• 2020-21  International Chocolate Awards World Gold Winner

The bar is extremely chocolaty with one of the most exquisite mouthfeels that I have ever enjoyed. The flavor journey evolves from rich chocolate notes into luscious, sweet fruits and brown sugar.  La Esmeralda has delicate finishing notes of cedar and warm spices that culminate in a pleasantly bittersweet finale. Trust me…this is one bar you don’t want to miss!

The KahKow La Esmeralda 67% Dark Chocolate Bar is made from Single Estate cacao beans that originate from the Rizek Family Hacienda La Esmeralda, an enchanting farm located in the outskirts of San Francisco de Macorís. This protected area of just 100 acres is home to over 24,000 carefully grafted cacao trees.

La Esmeralda is one of the first farms in the Dominican Republic planted with elite cacao varieties that hail from Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica

KahKow is both the brand name of a superior quality line of chocolate made from Dominican Republic Rizek Plantation beans, as well as the name of the flagship store opened in 2019 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn by the Rizek Family. This little boutique and workshop turns out truly fabulous bean-to-bar chocolate from fine flavor and heirloom cacao bean varietals. You can even see the beautiful, giant melangeur (chocolate mixer) situated right in front of the shop's window! 

Nadia Rizek, fifth generation member of the Rizek family, decided to honor the century-long cacao legacy she inherited by spreading the Rizek passion, creativity and high quality beans to the the U.S., right in nearby Brooklyn.

KahKow is among the 13 favorite USA craft chocolate producers recognized in Melissa Clark's February 2020 New York Times article for the extra attention their team devotes to sourcing beans, forging positive relationships with growers and treating the planet with extra loving care.

I had the exciting opportunity to assist my renowned teacher, co-founder and Americas Director of the International Chocolate Awards, Dr. Maricel Presilla, at a Level One Chocolate Tasting Certificate Class that KahKow graciously hosted in September 2019. It was such a treat to meet and learn from Nadia and Kahkow’s chocolate maker in this beautiful jewel box of a shop. They are inspired and inspiring figures in the world of fine chocolate, and I am honored to know them and stock several of their exquisite bars.

• Net Weight: 50 g. / 1.76 oz.
• Country of Origin: USA
• Kosher