Valrhona - Guanaja 70%

The tasting notes reflect my personal opinion.

Name

Guanaja 70% Cocoa
Main ingredients are cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract.
Cocoa content: minimum 70% cocoa solids

Manufacturer

Valrhona, 26600 Tain l'Hermitage, France

Packaging

The 70g chocolate bar is wrapped and sealed in aluminium wrap and a cardboard envelope.

Look

The chocolate has a very dark black-ish brown colour. It has some red hues at the edges if held in the light.

Sound

The chocolate breaks with a clear snap sound.

Smell

The smell is initially sugary with a cocoa body hinting at an intense cocoa. However, cold sugar aromas dominate.

Mouthfeel

The chocolate melts cleanly into a very fine liquid without developing a soft or sticky edge.

Taste

The initial taste is sugar. Darker, slightly roasty cocoa notes develop on the tongue. The cocoa notes and sweetness switch forth and back in dominance. The sweetness is clearly noticeable throughout. Hints of warmer, nutty flavours develop at the rear of the mouth.

Aftertaste

The aftertaste on the tongue and especially at the rear of the mouth is more of a physical sensation than a flavour. Only a weak aftertaste remains on the palate.

Summary

This chocolate is very well conched and fine. It has intense cocoa flavours that are framed by the sugar without showing bitter or sour notes.

Verdict

The well conched chcocolate has delicate cocoa flavours without being stingy or bitter. Only the aftertaste hints at the actual intensity of the cocoa. 4 Stars.

Dates

Lot number: LP752135, best before 02/2023, tasted 16/06/2022 & 10/07/2022 & 17/07/2022