Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Peru 60%
February 13, 2017
Chocolate of the week: Peru
Peru is situated in western South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean.
Cacao is grown in many regions throughout the country. (As an interesting aside, in 2007, a rare variety of cacao called Pure Nacional was rediscovered in Peru. Decades earlier, disease had destroyed 100% of these trees, or so it was thought. Pure Nacional was put on the extinct species list. Pure Nacional is a white cocoa bean, not the common purple color.)
Peru’s diverse microclimates provide unique growing conditions for cacao - different varieties of cacao growing at different altitudes.
Today I’m tasting Trader Joe’s 60% Peru from their Passport collection. (For an overview of this series and vocabulary see the Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport post.)
There is no indication on the packaging which region or plantation the chocolate comes from within Peru. I’d be curious to know, since there are many varied climates in that country, and climate is one of the major contributors to flavor development.
Chocolate made from cacao grown in one part of Peru could taste vastly different from that grown in a different area. But for now, just knowing it’s from Peru narrows down a flavor profile that will be distinctly “Peru” when we compare it to the other countries in the Passport collection.
I’ve had chocolate from Peru before. I can remember a delicious 72% and even an 80%, but I’ve never had a 60%. As a general rule, the higher the percentage, the more likely you are to taste all the nuances of flavor the single-origin chocolate has to offer.
Passport Peru - The Taste Experience
There are modest notes of sour fruit, and a hint of spice somewhere in the middle.
There is a nice creaminess at the end, with lingering buttery notes (these dairy notes can be found in dark chocolate even when it’s made without dairy ingredients).
The chocolate intensity is moderate. Some earthy undertones are there but those are hard to pick up with the sweetness level covering it up a bit.
The bar is smooth and slow to melt in the mouth.
Overall, I’m pretty satisfied with this bar. I think we’re off to good start! Next up: Ecuador 66%!
You can join us right now. Learn all about chocolate tasting with milk chocolates, dark chocolates, even white chocolate. Refine your taste buds with expert guidance.
Peru Climate Image: By Ali Zifan (cropped). (Derived from World Koppen Classification.svg.) CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- BarkThins Dark Chocolate Coconut with Almonds - May 22, 2020
- Endangered Species Cacao Nibs + Dark Chocolate Review - May 15, 2020
- Mr. Dot Bar Review - May 7, 2020
High levels of lead and cadmium has made this chocolate a no go
Where can I look to verify this product has high levels of lead and cadmium like you claim?
I love this peru 60% passport bar from trader joe! Trying to find something or same that is sold separately and not a seasonal item. Any suggestions would be great!!!