Cacao de El Salvador – Part 4 (Xocolatísimo)
December 15, 2019
Continuing the El Salvador chocolate experience, the first thing I noticed as I walked into Xocolatísimo chocolate shop was an impressive looking arrangement of colorfully packaged chocolate bars covering almost the entire back wall.
Victor Avelar, proprietor, along with his wife and daughter, welcomed our small group with smiles and warm greetings. In short order, we were feasting upon samples of truffles, chocolate bars, and pastries.
It’s true what they say about behaving like “a kid in a candy store”. I was pulling chocolates off the shelves similar to the way I would grab books in the library. Eating, reading, chatting, and enjoying everything Xocolatísimo had to share.
Xocolatísimo is another fantastic bean to bar shop I visited while traveling in San Salvador, capital city of El Salvador. They serve 100% Salvadoran cacao (Cacao 100% Salvadoreño), sourced from the Usulután department in eastern El Salvador.
In 2017, cacao from El Salvador landed among the finalists in the International Cocoa Awards. In 2018, Xocolatísimo won multiple awards, competing among 100 chocolate companies from 16 different countries.
According to the Xocolatísimo website, “In our store you can have a unique experience with the vibrant flavors of our products because we prepare them with great dedication, inspired to always offer quality” (translated).
I can back this up by vouching first hand, the chocolate truffles, hand rolled, dipped and painted, taste as spectacular as they look.
Here’s just a partial list of their delicious treats I love: Rose Truffle with Citrus, Rum Truffle, Coffee Truffle, chocolate covered praline cashews, salted caramels, “tablets” of 65%, 75%, 85% dark chocolate, 51% milk chocolate, 75% with candied orange peel, and milk chocolate with coconut milk. Every aspect of tasting these chocolates, from texture to taste, was superb.
One of Xocolatísimo’s more unique products is “Mermelada De Naranja Con Chocolate Oscuro” or “Orange Marmalade With Dark Chocolate” The orange and chocolate were well balanced. I was impressed that the dark chocolate notes came through in spite of the orange peel being so intense. It truly tasted as good as it sounded.
You should see the delicious chocolate and orange spread. Unfortunately, by the time we thought to take a photo, we had already finished the jar. Maybe next time! 🙂
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Hello Bryn Kirk,
My name is Sal and I was wondering on how to get Authentic Organic Raw Cacao Beans from El Salvador. What website can you give me so I can purchase Authentic Organic Raw Cacao Beans. I’m trying to come out with a coffee house business with Salvadorian Cacao Beans instead of coffee. Unfortunately I not able to find a true Salvadorian Cacao Beans website to purchase from. Can you please help him?
You could contact Alianza Cacao El Salvador (http://alianzacacaoelsalvador.org/).