Such a long name for such a simple and diminutive (48g) bar of chocolate!
But the really interesting thing about this particular bar of chocolate is that “Rainforest Alliance Certified” logo. According to Christine Moss of the Chocolate Truffle Company, it’s the UK’s first Rainforest Alliance Certified chocolate.
The Rainforest Alliance works with local producers to conserve the forest, promote sustainable business practices and improve the lives of cocoa growers. So that little frog on the wrapper means you’re doing some good while you’re treating yourself.
Of course, this is all well and good, but it means nothing if the product isn’t up to scratch. And luckily, this bar is particularly good.
It’s smooth, rich and dark with a distinct fruity note that reminded me of the Amano Madagascar bar I reviewed last year. I’ve never been particularly good at describing dark chocolate, so I’ll just say that I liked it. A lot. This little 48g bar lasted me a couple of days, just breaking off a small chunk every time I needed a lift.
I found the plastic packaging mildly annoying (it would look much better wrapped in foil and paper), but the chocolate itself is top notch. Serious dark chocolate aficionados will love it. I did – and I’m neither serious, or dark.
As you’ve probably noticed, this is another of the same range of Thorntons bars as the Lemon Mousse bar I reviewed a while ago. I’ve not checked, but I would guess there is also a Marks & Spencer equivalent of this one too.
This time round, we have a milk chocolate bar. Not as pretty as the Lemon bar, but I’ve certainly seen worse looking chocolates.
The chocolate is nice and thick and standard Thorntons fare, but it’s the Turkish filling that’s the most interesting part here – it’s one of those things you either love or hate, and also something chocolate makers seem to have difficulty getting “right”.
I’m pleased to say, Thorntons have done quite well with this particular take on the Turkish Delight bar. The consistency is firm and chewy, but melts away nicely in the mouth. I particularly like the way the flavour builds as it melts away – first you get that familiar Turkish delight rose flavour, then you get lemons, then the rose flavour comes back again.
I found the taste and texture complimented the milk chocolate very well and I liked this bar a lot. I’d much rather have one of these than a Fry’s or Cadbury’s Turkish bar (which of course are both made by Cadbury). It may not be entirely authentic, but it looks and tastes much more natural.
Another (continental) member from the same stable as the Cherry & Chilli bar, and the selection that Kath reviewed a while back, this particular bar is made from the same 70% dark chocolate and contains the same percentage (28%) of dark chocolate mousse. The twist this time is that the filling that constitutes 18% of the overall mass (this is all very precise, isn’t it?) is made from fig and caramel.
It’s good. Very good indeed. I recommend that Matt from Aussie Lindt tries his very best to make sure Kath gets to try it.
The chocolate is dark, shiny and bitter. The mousse filling light yet still somewhat bittersweet, and the fig and caramel filling gives it a fruity, dark undertone of sweetness that is quite sublime.
It’s another superb blending of flavours from the kings of mass produced high end chocolate. These guys are good at what they do, and they always deliver on flavour. Other than the coffee bar (which was purely my personal taste) I have to say I have enjoyed countless bars of Lindt chocolate, and the excitement in finding a new bar like this is in trying to predict how the flavours being described on the box will translate onto your palate. There’s usually a pleasant surprise (the warming afterglow of Chilli in the Cherry & Chilli bar springs to mind) and it’s that immediate burst of sophisticated fruit and dark sugary tastes that leads you back to the box for just one more square.
Seek this one out folks, it’s a corker.
Being curious to sample more from Starbucks, I fed a recent obsession with Chai tea by picking these out. There were ten total truffles. The box-container they’re in is unique, and while it wouldn’t be great for a present, it suits for everyday. Like the bars.
Each truffle is wrapped in a copper-orange with a light pattern. Inside, you’re greeted by a strong chai smell, sweetened a little by the chocolate. Amazingly, it looks just like the picture on the package. It’s not all the time that that happens.
The outside milk chocolate is very tender, and though fairly thick, it gives way to white filling (where the chai is contained) quickly. The two accent each other very nicely: the strong next to the sweet. This time, I agree that milk is better, with its creaminess suiting perfectly. An intense dark chocolate added to the chai would be too much.
So if you’re partial to chai, you’ll love these. If you don’t like chai, don’t even consider them; the taste is strong. But it’s another good showing from Starbucks; sure, not the most spectacular, but still good.
