Two bars this week that have absolutely knocked my socks off. Duffy’s 83% Ecuador Camino Verde, £5.65, and the 80% Guatemala Sweet River, £6.95. With the 83%, I’ve long had a real penchant for cocoa from Ecuador and Duffy’s describes the beans as ‘soft and gentle’ and they are! Duffy’s says that because the beans have been carefully roasted and there’s been a long conching process, any bitterness has been ‘driven off’ and it just leaves a ‘strong chocolate’ This is one of the most accurate descriptions of a chocolate I’ve ever read. It is strong, but also gentle and just delicious. Honestly, I’m in love.
The Guatemalan is sharper, more lively, but so vibrant and tasty. You could sink a whole afternoon eating this chocolate and staring out of the window.
Very much changing gear, Sur has made some wonderful Easter-edition alfajores in either original size (six to a tin) or mini size (12 to a tin). I do love the originals, because they’re so big, and meaty but there’s no denying the minis are cute, and you feel like you get more for your money (though the weight is the same and both cost £35 a tin). For those who don’t know, alfajores are an Argentinian delight of chocolate, biscuit and dulce de leche in various flavours.
Sur’s three new editions are: pomegranate yoghurt; bergamot and geranium; coconut and cherry. The pomegranate yoghurt are my all out favourite. While on their site consider the rose and pistachio dragées, £11.96. Caramelised pistachio coated in pistachio and rose chocolate. They taste refreshingly old fashioned.
