Thursday, August 28, 2008

Amadei

Even though I adore high end chocolate, I have a hard time plunking down $5 to $12 without knowing what I’m going to get. So I’m often quite happy to fork over for tasting square versions even though they’re even more expensive when you figure out the cost per ounce. (And hey, it helps with portion control, too.)

I was happy to find some tasting squares from Amadei, one of the most highly reviewed chocolate makers in the world at Mel & Roses. Even though they were 85 cents each for the 4.5 gram squares, I at least got to sample a broad spectrum of their product line which will help to guide me when I decide to finally buy one of their bars.

Amadei Chocolate Tasting Squares

  • I Cru Greneda 70% - (the unwrapped one came in an olive colored wrapper) mellow brown has a nice comforting scent of tobacco and woodsy smoke. The vanilla flavors are at the forefront with a creamy melt. Light and bright caramel and only the slightest bit of bitterness peaking through. Cashews. It’s not very deep, it feels rather high pitched but at least harmonic.
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  • I Cru Madagascar 70% - a good snap and dark glossy finish, this melts nicely on the tongue with an exceptionally buttery gloss on the tongue. I’m usually fond of Madagascar origin chocolate, and this is no different. Strong on the vanilla and some mellow fruity notes like pear in the middle and a closing finish of roasted almonds.
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  • I Cru Trinidad 70% - black pepper and raisin scent, a little chalkier. Pecans, lime and hot cocoa notes sound a little odd but work well as a whole, but the profile has a bitter and dry finish that doesn’t quite please me.
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  • Porcelana 70% - glossy look and much more pronounced snap led me to believe this wouldn’t be as buttery as the Madagascar. It’s very smooth, dark and rich with notes of macadamia and coconut along with dark woodsy tones like cedar and coffee. A little tangy note of dark berries but for the most part I get a strong true chocolate vibe here.
  • As a little bonus I decided to try Amadei’s milk chocolate offering as well:

     

  • Toscano Brown - it’s a pretty dark looking bar with a very strong milky scent of condensed milk. The flavor is distinct and tangy and a bit like mozzarella or ricotta (a mellow cheesy flavor - like cheesecake). It’s buttery though, with a creamy texture more like a glossy sauce than a bar. The dark notes include toffee and black tea, but I was kind of missing the real chocolate flavors.
  • Overall, I was most pleased with the Madagascar and Porcelana but all were exceptional. I’m still not quite convinced enough to spend $11 for one of their bars, but I’m leaning in that direction. But for now the little selections in this format are enough for me and well worth the pocket change.

    Related Candies

    1. Domori Cru
    2. Amano Single Origin Bars: Madagascar & Ocumare
    3. Michel Cluizel Les 1ers Crus de Plantation
    4. Dagoba Single Origin
    5. E. Guittard Single Origin Tasting Kit
    Name: I Cru Tasting Selection
      RATING:
    • 10 SUPERB
    • 9 YUMMY
    • 8 TASTY
    • 7 WORTH IT
    • 6 TEMPTING
    • 5 PLEASANT
    • 4 BENIGN
    • 3 UNAPPEALING
    • 2 APPALLING
    • 1 INEDIBLE
    Brand: Amadei
    Place Purchased: Mel and Rose (Melrose)
    Price: $.85 each
    Size: 4.5 grams
    Calories per ounce: unknown
    Categories: Chocolate, Italy, Single Origin, All Natural

    POSTED BY Cybele AT 10:51 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

    Comments
    1. Oh, awesome! I got a bar of the Madagascar as part of an xmas gift last year and it was, as you say, exceptional. I’m definitely gonna go out and try the Porcelana.

      Comment by beckie on 8/28/08 at 7:28 pm #
    2. Wow, that sounds like quite an experience. $8 is the most I’ve spent on 1 candy bar, but I could see myself going higher if it was delicious. Is your 7 an overall score? Would any individual square have rated higher?

      Comment by Debby on 8/29/08 at 2:32 am #
    3. they seem to be delicious!

      Comment by Amanda on 8/29/08 at 8:41 am #
    4. Sera's avatar

      Glad to see you reviewed these Cybele! I wish they had a Chuao mini too for you to try. I know I already gushed to you how much I love Amedei’s chocolate, but it bears repeating! smile

      Comment by Sera on 8/29/08 at 10:40 am #
    5. i liked your review of the toscano brown bar—it really makes me want to try it! (the others all sound delicious, too, but this one sounds really interesting.) thanks!

      Comment by jesse on 9/02/08 at 5:09 pm #
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