It’s the return of the gorgeous Theo designs! The last time I showcased a chocolate from Theo’s 3400 Phinney range, I was in raptures. The Hazelnut Crunch remains one of the best milk chocolates I’ve had, although admittedly the scrumptiousness was more about the salty-toffee-roasted-nuts than the chocolate itself…
I’ve allowed this particular Theo chocolate to jump the review queue (I ate it only days ago, whereas I still have chocolates from my travels to talk about) because of a certain Broadway-and-butter-loving New Zealand lass: the ever-creative Laura of Hungry and Frozen. In her response to my self-designed chocolate with curry powder, edamame, and pomegranate granola, She Of Little Faith expressed a desire – nay, a need – to be convinced of the harmonious nature of curry and chocolate.
Laura, this is for you.
Theo Coconut Curry Milk Chocolate
From the moment I freed this chocolate from its paper cage, I knew the “curry” of the title was not going to be a subtle flavour softly pulling at my mind like near-forgotten song lyrics hiding at the edges of consciousness. No, this curry flavour was going to be more like a six-year-old tugging at his/her mother’s shirt while she talks to a fellow parent in the carpark after school. (“Mum. Mum. Mum. MUM. Mum. Mu-u-u-mmmm. Mum. Mum.”*)
How did I know the curry was going to be whizz-pow, not softly-softly? Two things. First, the aroma burst forth with strong and heady notes of toasted curry – turmeric and fenugreek were the first to emerge. Second, the chocolate’s use of yellow curry powder was physically apparent, not only in a slight tinge to the chocolate itself but on the paper in which it was encased. Wherever the chocolate had touched the paper, the paper was yellow. Like magic. See Exhibit Below:
The aroma was ridiculously enticing. I felt bubbly with happiness even before I broke off a square and placed it between my lips. When I did so break and place, my pleasure only increased. The spices are not backwards in coming forwards and, unlike the more common chilli in chocolate, are hot rather than spicy. For anyone tentative around curry-heat, beware. This chocolate creates a definite burn at the back of the throat, a burn that lingers and tantalises and makes you (or at least me) go back for more.
I noted cumin, then decided that turmeric, fenugreek, and cardamom were the leaders of the spice pack. I thought of tikka masala, ground coriander, deliciousness… I peeked at the packaging to read that the bar’s yellow curry powder incorporates coriander, turmeric, mustard, cumin, fenugreek, paprika, red pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves. Yep, this ain’t no wallflower curry.
The coconut contributes to the curry flavour (you know, as in a curry with coconut in it…), but it also adds to and highlights the chocolate’s sweetness. This is a milk chocolate, after all, even if at 40% it’s at the darker edge of the milk spectrum. The coconut makes the chocolate very “bitsy”, texture-wise, so if you don’t like crunch, you may not like this.
I, personally, love Theo’s Coconut Curry Milk Chocolate. I can imagine that the strength of the curry powder could be a turn-off for many people – it’s an odd combination to get your head around, the first time you try it, but I came around so quickly that I think I’ve got whiplash.
I really wish I could get this in Australia.
* Do you remember doing that? I do. The only part I can’t remember is whether I truly thought she couldn’t hear me, or whether I knew she was ignoring me and that this attention-tug-of-war was a battle of wills.
Oh this sounds fabulous.. flavour wise, texturally, everything. I loved the vosges curry/coconut bar….i thought it was an incredibly harmonious flavour combination. Delightful
Mmm! Sounds scrumptious. Last time I spotted Theo bars at Wegman’s, I considered buying the Fig Fennel & Almond, but it was a craving that called for a tried-and-true favorite. I will be more adventurous next time.
Oh, and website! My latest job interview (which I did get, btw!) really emphasized web publishing, Photoshop, video editing, etc. So be assured, you are accumulating some crazy marketable skills right now!
Oh my, this does sound spooky but kind of good in a way too. Like the kind of thing you may reject at first but then come back and want to try later!
I wish there were exciting chocolate combinations available around here. The most adventurous we get is Lindt chilli + chocolate, and that has milk in it
I’ll have to continue living vicariously through your chocolate reviews!
Does this mean I should start putting chocolate in my curries? It could be the latest food craze!
I can’t decide if I really like the idea of this or I really don’t – I’d definitely have to try it if given the chance though. I love your writing Hannah!
I was able to try Theo’s chocolates last year but never tried this flavor!
Yum! Making me SO hungry.
I do love the packaging! I personally think the hot curry flavor sounds fantastic with the coconut and chocolate, but I am a curryhead, after all.
I wasn’t crazy about this one, to be honest. I find cumin and chocolate combine to make this weird, minty, mouthwash-y flavor, not unlike Jack Daniels and Coke. Have you ever tried Valrhona’s Xocopili spiced chocolate balls (tee hee)? They’re terrible!
I do remember doing that as a child (Mom, Mom, Mo-om, MOM!) but like you, can’t remember the tactic behind it.
I like design to much…but anyway that packaging is very fun!
oooh as I was reading this post my first thought was – “where can I buy this”!! But then I saw your comment that it is not available in Australia
I wonder if I could make a homemade version???
L-Izzle: I actually like this Theo version more than the Vosges – it’s a bit more in-your-face, which I like!
Lauren: You didn’t tell me you’d started a blog, you sneaky thing you! I love that Theo Fig, Fennel and Almon – I believe I blogged it ages back, in December I think. And hmmm, marketable skills… I’d like to think so, but in actual fact I understand nothing about html…
Lorraine: I definitely went back for more!
Theresa: I know, what’s with Lindt and their butter oil?! Dark chocolate doesn’t need stupid butter oil. Harrumph.
Agnes: Well, the Mexicans do it with mole! Hmm, I might actually have a go at that once I’ve built up my pantry a little more…
Sarah: Thank you so much!
It’s definitely one to try – and probably try again, too. If at first you don’t succeed… 
Simply Life: Let me guess – you got them for free?
Sadako: Well, you’d best so get some chocolate then, right?
Amber: Curryhead… sounds like the toned-down version of Beavis’ best friend. Of course, you’re far more classy than that!
Camille: After my initial impression, I didn’t get much cumin, so maybe that’s why I quite liked it. But I’ve definitely given it to people to try who’ve done little more than pull a face at me
And I haven’t tried the Valrhona balls – I’m a lady! Gosh, Camille!
TheHungryScholar: I think Theo’s designs are adorable – definitely helps entice me into a purchase!
Lisa: I’ve been wondering that too! Cookies or muffins, maybe? Let me know if you give it a go!
Ooo, I would buy it just for the cool art on the packaging (despite being allergic to milk…you could have the chocolate and I’ll pin the paper to my wall!).
Vaala: Technically, I’m not meant to have milk either… but sometimes a chocolate blogger’s gotta do what a chocolate blogger’s gotta do!
Oh, I’m much classier, yes, absolutely. That’s why I write posts about milking nuts and such. Pure class, I am!
Hmmmm….. this is the first time I’ve read this blog when I’ve been feeling crook, so the curry combination isn’t helping my flip-flopping stomach today.
…..perhaps reading about food when I’m sick isn’t the wisest move!
Amber: I think your level of class is just about perfect
Kath: I would definitely say that this chocolate would *not* be one to try on a sensitive tum! Probably just some nice, simple, sweet milk chocolate would be best
I am ‘that’ Laura and I’m so late to the party reading this!
That wrapping is swoonfully good. You had me at fenugreek and tumeric (I’m recently on a huge tumeric kick) and along with the coconut, this sounds actually heavenly. Well done, madam – I’m convinced and then some!
sounds too hot for me but so interesting – and love that wrapper – you really do find the most amazing chocolates
Laura: Fashionably late, though
Hurrah for the power of words [about fenugreek and turmeric]! Hmm, what should I try to convince you of next? Moving to Australia, I think.
Johanna: It’s definitely not shy in flavour, and equally is definitely interesting! Thank heavens I still have plenty of chocolates in my stash. I don’t know what I’ll do when I run out! Probably sell a kidney so I can do a mail-order or something…
Wow, that does sound good!
Did you ever also intersperse the “mum!”s with her first name, to see if that worked?
Why can’t we get this chocolate in Australia? And we call ourselves a first world country
Conor: *gasp* No! I was never THAT brave! Did you? And I know, it’s devastating. Somewhere along the line someone must have decreed Aussies to be second class chocolate citizens. I object!
I only ever pulled that trick when calling out for her in the supermarket to no avail. It always felt weird though.
Looks interesting, sounds interesting… Being from India, ‘spices’ and ‘heat’ don’t freak me out, but then u never know.. i shd give it a try sometime…
- Kausambi (http://coloredgrains.wordpress.com)
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