Madecasse Chocolate Review

This week the Man and I had the privilege of sampling Madecasse chocolate. Madecasse (pronounced MA-DAY-KAS) is a rare business in that the company's chocolate is both grown and made in Africa. The history of the company is a touching one and started when two peace corps volunteers spent time in Madagascar.

From the Madcasse website:

We fell in love with the country and people and wanted to do more. We realized that Africa has a lot of resource wealth, but little industry that can add value locally, so we decided to do something new.  We uncovered some of the world's most flavorful cocoa, vanilla and spices - all hidden in the remote countryside of the island. We then partnered with local farmers, chocolatiers, and packaging specialists to make a finished product right at the source,  and we took special care to nurture heirloom ingredients, sustainable forest-farming techniques and efficient production models. The result? A better tasting bar of chocolate - and a better quality of life for those who make it. 



We sampled three bars: the Toasted Coconut, the Espresso Bean and the Sea Salt and Nibs. Each one was unique in its flavor.
 
If you like chocolate covered espresso beans, you will absolutely love the Espresso Bean bar. Because I have a heart valve leak, I'm supposed to avoid coffee and limit my chocolate intake. It was worth the risk to sample a tiny bite of this one, as the chocolate and coffee combination is hard to beat. To my taste, the espresso bean chunks were a bit too big, but I think most people will like that kind of texture and crunch. In fact, I know a few people who would go nuts over this one. I found the espresso bean flavor a little bit overpowering, but I'm also not all that used to consuming coffee, unless it's decaf. (Don't scoff!) When it comes to coffee and chocolate, I like the bar to be smooth, both in terms of flavor and texture. The Man noted that neither the chocolate nor the espresso beans were bitter, a sign that care was taken in the roasting process. Even though this bar has milk added to it, the flavor is that of a dark chocolate with only subtle hints of caramel and malt. The Man and I both liked the bar, but, of the three we sampled, it wasn't my favorite. That honor would have to go to the Toasted Coconut.





I can't help but be reminded of my childhood when I dive into a bar with a strong cocoa taste. My grandmother used to send us chocolates from France, so I grew up sampling some outstanding chocolates. What struck me most about this bar was the profound chocolate flavor with the first bite. That's something I relish. There are definite fruity notes that emerge as the chocolate slowly melts on the palate, and the toasted coconut adds just a hint of tropical flavor to the mix. The Man, who doesn't normally like coconut, even liked this combination. This is a 70-percent dark chocolate bar that is reminiscent of a good milk chocolate in terms of its even flavor and balance without being bitter. The texture is ever so slightly soft, but it still has a nice snap to it. This is one that I keep wanting to go back to for its consistent cocoa essence. It may not be as complex as some chocolates, but it will satisfy any chocoholic's cravings.




The Sea Salt and Nibs bar is a curious and refreshing chocolate that will leave you wanting to explore it more and more. Though it has a very slightly astringent quality to it that's not at all unpleasant, its strong fruit flavor with hints of citrus is what's most noticeable. The lovely crunchy nibs enhance the overall gastronomical experience, and you will notice a burst of fruitiness and mild woodiness with hints of chicory and banana when you bite into them. The sea salt is not pronounced, but it does add to the overall flavor.

The Man and I were very impressed with what Madecasse is doing. They are taking the fair trade concept several steps further. We felt that the chocolates are some of the best on the market, especially for the price.

Be sure to check out the winter spice flavor available now!