Before I even opened this chocolate by Cocoa Bean Chocolate Co., it had made me happy for several reasons:
- The chocolate was brought back from overseas, specifically for me, by my lovely friend Jess. Jess also once sent me a postcard, out-of-the-blue, from one of her overseas conference trips. Her message read (in part) “Hello from New York! Such a cliche thing to say but – wish you were here! We could take New York by storm…”. I keep this postcard at my office at work and, whenever I feel like all the Canberran-ness surrounding me is becoming too suffocatingly Canberran, I read the postcard and breathe deeply, remembering that there are a squillion cities and countries out there that I love, miss, cherish, can and will visit.
- The chocolate is Irish, and last Friday night I saw The Guard, which is set in Ireland. The movie was hee-larious, in an awesomely dark, non-PC, brilliant way. I will state upfront that I giggled more than anyone else in the cinema, but I own that with pride. Give me such a movie over the likes of The Hangover any day.
It’s probably time to talk about the chocolate now.
Cocoa Bean Chocolate Co. Lime Zest and Black Pepper Dark Chocolate
My first experience with Cocoa Bean Chocolate Co. was its Gin and Tonic Dark Chocolate, which was so utterly reminiscent of its namesake that eating it almost led to me dancing wildly on a tabletop (actually, judging by history, a true gin and tonic would be more likely to see me draped precariously half-on-half-off a green couch wearing one shoe, methodically eating an entire bowl of almonds one-by-one whilst my oldest friend makes giggling phone calls to her crushes at three in the morning. But I digress).
After the fabulousness of that chocolate, I had high hopes for this lime zest and black pepper creation, which is comprised of 70% cacao content chocolate and is proclaimed to have “intense” chocolate, a “zap” of lime, and a “cheeky tingle” of pepper.
An intense cheeky tingle zap? Count me in.
I’ll have to be honest and say that this chocolate conveyed to me less of an “intense cheeky tingle zap” and more of a “subtle pleasant tangy smoothness”. Which is not to say that this chocolate was disappointing, but that its flavour profile was far more subdued than the marketing spiel led me to expect.
The lime and pepper are both present, yes, but very quietly so. The pepper is like the soft ebbing hum of a low note played continuously by an orchestra’s viola , its spicy flavour ever-present yet lacking a loud single note of burning heat.
The lime, too, is subtle, yet does clearly contribute to the chocolate’s refreshing tangy flavours.
The 70% chocolate itself has notes of citrus, vanilla, brown sugar, charcoal, walnut, and dark cocoa. At times, the lime and pepper seem more like elements of the cacao bean’s flavour profile than additions to the bar itself but, either way, this Cocoa Bean Chocolate Co. Lime Zest and Black Pepper Dark Chocolate is a lovely taste experience.
Question Time: What would a Gin and Tonic lead you to do?
I would make inappropriate comments….. Wish I could be there tonight xx
Oh, I’m going to have to experience that one day
Missed you!! xo
I tend to only have gin and tonic in summer while camping so it’s very likely that it would lead me to fall asleep under a tree with a Maeve Binchy novel as a pillow. I have but one book by the Binch, and I re-read it every summer.
Pity that the flavour didn’t live up to the promise, but glad it was still good all the same!
There’s a very special kind of joy in re-reading, particularly when the re-reading is intertwined with the feeling of calm and joy as experienced on holiday
That said, I’ve never read anything by the Binch! Which novel is it that is both your escape and your pillow?
I’d be fast asleep before I even finished the glass…
I probably couldn’t even stomach the whole glass
This flavour is one that I would definitely try!! A gin & tonic will lead me to have another gin & tonic
Your logic is impeccable
I fear a gin and tonic would lead to a very bad end! I rarely (actually, pretty much never) drink and I now worry what the consequences would be if I did
I’ll stick with the chocolate…with a side of lime.
Me too, Kari. I’m a complete light-weight when it comes to alcamahol! One beer will do for me
It’s totally fine to send Wish you were here postcards if you accompany them with chocolate, during or after the fact
I have had G&T jellies and they were very nice indeed. Not enough to do any harm though. Clearly I am missing out!
I’ll need to track down that recipe! My mum would love it, and surely it would be gluten- and dairy-free
Also, I’m a big fan of visitors who come accompanied with chocolate too
What a combination! I’m always drooling when you review these unusual chocolate bars. A gin and tonic… well, I’ve never had one so I’m guessing the consumption of many other beverages would lead me to try one and then after drinking it I’d probably pass out. Really drinking more than one drink these days makes me want to crawl into bed
Thanks Shannon! Though I hope you don’t drool too much when I review the lame ones
And don’t worry, I’m a one-drink girl myself too!
You.
BAHAHAHAHA!!!
Oh, mercy!
I like the sound of subtle flavours when it comes to lime and black pepper – after all chocolate is the star we are really here for – the rest are just supporting actors!
And my parents were off to see the Guard today – I of course hadn’t heard of it – just don’t keep up with the movies like I used to when I used to have opportunities to go to the cinema – ah memories!
You’re right, Johanna! Sometimes with the wackier flavours I review, it’s easy to forget that fact. Ooh, I wonder what your parents thought of The Guard? Honestly, I never see movies myself anymore either. Apart from Harry Potter, I think this was the first movie I’d seen at the cinemas in over a year!
As you, my trans-Pacific twin know, lime and chocolate are a divine combination and it is difficult to ruin. Glad to hear this bar made it happen; the pepper made me nervous but I’m glad to hear it didn’t overwhelm, as it often can.
That was my thought exactly! I’ve had several black or pink peppercorn chocolates where the flavour destroys all chocolate nuances, so I was pleased with the subtlety here
I’m still envious of the gin and tonic flavor. Actually, I think that’s the first time I found your blog and have been reading ever since.
I had a salt and pepper chocolate bar the other day and loved that pepper flavors with the sweet of the chocolate!
Aw! That makes the Gin and Tonic chocolate feel even more special to me
Was the salt and pepper one you had by Salazon, by any chance? Long shot, but might as well ask… I reviewed that ages ago (terrible photos!)
It was Olive & Sinclair. Great chocolates!
Oh, I remember seeing them overseas, but never tried any. Sadface!
1. I still really want that gin & tonic chocolate.
2. Lime zest and black pepper? Two of my fave things!
Lime, chocolate and pepper? What a fabulous-sounding combo! Not a fan of G&T myself to be honest, though
I don’t think I’d like G&Ts in non-chocolate format either
I still want the G&T chocolate too. But I’d take this bar over that one, and most definitely over movies such as The Hangover.
My experiences with pepper in chocolate have been hit or miss, mostly miss because I’ve found the flavor to be too strong. Actually, perhaps my experiences have been all miss. I’d love to try this, though, it sounds perfect for my clearly impossible standards. Lime doesn’t show up in chocolate enough, that’s what I think, you cheeky tingle, you.
I’ve had pretty unpleasant experiences with overwhelming pepper in chocolate, too. I think I remember an absolutely horrendous one by Frey, which I found in America years ago…
I do like a cheeky tingle. I do.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a gin & tonic. I’m not much of a drinker.
However, that chocolate looks fabulous! I’m sure it’s a wonderful blend of flavors. Yum!
I’m not much of a drinker at all either
I could count on one hand the number of drinks I’ve had this year!
i love all these new flavours with chocolate. But lime and pepper remind me of steak seasoning more! lol.
Oh, Anh! Now I can’t stop thinking of steak-flavoured chocolate and being grossed out…
lime and black pepper and chocolate… hmm, this is stretching it for me. i can’t imagine the three together!!!
What’s that Willy Wonka said about pure imagination?
I don’t like gin and tonic… but tequila seems like it has the effect you’re describing! Lime and pepper chocolate sounds GREAT… but I’d want the flavor to be intense!
To be honest, I can’t really stomach any spirits or hard alcohols! You’re right, though, that the flavour could have been a little more intense here. particularly the lime!
I don’t even want to know what a gin and tonic would make me do, haha! Lime and chocolate sounds like an interesting combo- I would definitely try it!
oooo i love a G&T. Right now it would most likely make me fall asleep
That seems to be the consensus here!
Gin and tonic is probably my favourite summer drinks. I believe it makes me highly sophisticated and sartorially elegant. In reality it generally leads to random cooking experiments and wild gales of laughter. It probably says something that I keep an old Bombay Sapphire bottle on my desk as a water bottle (I just can’t part with the blue prettiness of those bottles!)
I believe you’re highly sophisticated and sartorially elegant regardless of what you’re drinking
But laughter and experiments are just as awesome!
You’ve made this chocolate sound so smooth and seductive. I must have some!
Sadly, it’s all gone! But if you’re heading to Ireland anytime soon…
Hmm… Maybe Google will be my friend. I find all sorts of odd food things and get them sent to me in the outback middle of nowhere, haha!
http://www.skelligschocolate.com/acatalog/copy_of_Cocoa_Bean_Flavoured_Bars.html
They totally ship worldwide! <3
Wheeeeeeee! Thank you!
… Now I’ve just got to taste and review the 30+ chocolate bars I already have first…
I think I need sleep Angle Babe.. for some reason I read “namesake” as na-me-sa-ke.. I thought you were introducing a new Japanese Sake! BUT YOU DON’T DRINK! So.. hmm… I digress… chocolate … MmMmmm
You either need sleep… OR AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO MALAYSIA!!
Wheeeee
Also, I do drink a little bit. I’ve had a whopping three entire beers in the past two weeks! I’m a lush!
I can’t imagine lime and black pepper going together with chocolate, though I have had the same Red Rock chips flavour (minus the chocolate!). Maybe I should eat chocolate at the same time as the chips next time hehe!
Hmmm… maybe the more fun question would have been “What HAS gin & tonic lead you to do?”
I may or may not have eaten Kettle chips and chocolate together before
And hey, you can’t hint at something like that and not tell me what your G&T escapades were!
If I tell you, I would have to “dispose” of you!! (I hate using the word “kill”, even in a saying).
I saw those lime & black pepper chips at the shops today and thought of you!
Aw, the second part of your comment totally made me so happy I don’t mind you sneakily avoiding telling me anything juicy in the first
I like that snazzy green packaging! And lime and pepper in chocolate would taste gorgeous. Intrigued by the gin and tonic one – I’d probably share it with a friend and have a great night chatting and giggling a little too loudly.
Me too! It makes sense, when you think about it. Ireland = leprechauns and four leaf clovers = green, right?
By sharing and giggling all night with a friend, you mean me? Surely? Yay!
Oh how I miss thee. Thank goodness for the virtual world. Although, we might as well live on opposite sides of the world, I miss you, and wish you were here. Sigh. I even have chocolate by the truck load in case you randomly appear.
I’m totally intrigued by the flavor combo of this Choc, it sounds delicious. Want, very much. Hugs headed to you. Xxx
*hugshugshugshugs* Anna, I’m so happy you commented with this, because I’ve been feeling lonely in my missing you! It’s been way, way too long
Why do both of our lives have to be so crazybusy right now?! We need to schedule in a post-work drink sometime 
In answer to your question, other than the one given on my blog (don’t you love internet synchronicities?) is almost invariably, have another.
I like internet synchronicities almost as much as I like you.
I hate gin, it makes me gag. I really want to see The Guard, but it hasn’t hit small town Australia yet. I’m still waiting for Jane Eyre.
Just as well this one ain’t got gin, then!
Are you sure The Guard hasn’t been and gone while you were away? I hope not, but it’s just that I don’t think it’s playing here anymore 
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