Product Details:

The cocoa from Chuao is widely considered to be the world's best. We were able to get a limited supply of these wonderous cocoa beans and to use them to make this single-origin chocolate. The cocoa from Chuao is incredibly flavorful, deep, complex, and wonderous. We are extremly proud to release this bar as we believe that it is truly representitive of Amano's vision of the flavors that are achievable when extremely good quality cocoa is combined with time, sensitivity, and a chocolate maker's love.

The Chocolate Maker's Notes:

It is not often that one has the opportunity to work with true greatness. From Amano's inception we have worked with the world's greatest cocoa. The farmers we work with truly care for their trees, their cocoa and are the very best there are.  Even so, there has always been one cocoa sorely lacking -- Chuao. Famous for its cocoa since at least the 1600's Chuao's flavor has become legend.  Many consider Chuao's cocoa to be the world's best; no American chocolate maker had ever released a chocolate with these beans.

I spent an extensive amount of time conducting tests and researching the flavor properties of Chuao's beans.  I did not want to release a chocolate until I felt I had fully understood the beans flavor and how each of the flavor notes interacted with each step of our process.  Additionally, I did not want us to release the chocolate until I felt confident that the finished chocolate would be better than the best Chuao chocolate yet made.  I believe I have achieved both of these goals.  The flavor of the finished chocolate is amazing and has top chefs with whom I have shared samples raving. I believe that this very special chocolate will do the same for you.

Art Pollard
Founder, Head Chocolate Maker

Inscription on the Back of the Bar :

The name "Chuao" is spoken with reverence. It symbolizes the world's most coveted cocoa and its source. For centuries, the farmers of Chuao have faithfully grown this native Venezuelan criollo cocoa. They ritually harvest and ferment the beans, then sun-dry them in front of their historic church. Once they reach us, we gently hand roast and stone grind them, turning this exalted cocoa into one of the world's finest chocolates. It is pure passion, pure tradition, pure love — pure Chuao.

Tasting Notes: Plums, blueberries, blackberries, molasses, coffee, almonds.

Amano Artisan Chocolate is dedicated to reviving the art of making fine chocolate from the bean. We craft all our chocolate in small batches from the finest cocoa beans.

Presentation:

Each bar is individually foil wrapped and beautifully boxed. Each box is printed on high grade paper providing a luxurious feel in the hand. The "Cocoa in Chuao" painting is an original piece of artwork by artist Diane Whitehead commissioned by Amano Artisan Chocolate specifically for the Chuao Dark chocolate. The borders and details have been gently highlighted with gold foil accenting creating a stunning presentation making it suitable for gifts as well as your own enjoyment.

Artist: Diane Whitehead

Artist Bio:This passionate woman, who brings animals brilliantly to life for her audience, was born in Spokane Washington and now resides in Park City Utah. Diane has been in love with animals since early childhood. Diane studied Business in College, all the while yearning for the outdoors and oil paints. After working “regular jobs” for several years, she finally jumped back into painting animals and the beauty around her. Diane loves to travel. She travels with her pop up camper, visiting State Parks throughout Montana and Wyoming to take images of wild life that she so loves to paint.

She is highly praised for her strong brushstrokes and bold use of color; both of which make her work come alive. Diane shares her talent to help animals by donating her work for animal charity functions in and around Park City.

Artist Website: www.dianewhiteheadfineart.com

Ingredients:

Cocoa beans, Pure cane sugar, Cocoa butter, Whole vanilla beans.

Our Single Origin Guarantee:

All of our single origin chocolate is backed up with our "Single Origin Guarantee" so that you know that we have only used beans from the village of Chuao, Venezuela to create this incredible bar.