When I told you about the Road Trip of My Dreams way back in September, I made mention of the fact that I walked away from the Askinosie Chocolate Factory with quite an epic haul of deliciousness.
Here’s proof.
I’d like to point out that several of the full-scale bars belonged to Amber, and the smaller packets were mostly samples (thank you Mallory and Askinosie!) that Amber and I shared with Amber’s husband, Matt. (I would have shared this chocolate with my husband, too, except he doesn’t exist.)
The above photo is of chocolate-induced happiness. Just so you know.
The full-size Askinosie chocolates I bought will be reviewed later. Today’s post is about those I enjoyed in smaller quantities, but certainly not smaller enjoyment. Forthwith!
77% Davao, Philippines Dark Chocolate bar
Aroma of smoke, cedar, coffee, and wet earth in a rainforest. Vanilla and toasted marshmallows flicker lightly. Crisp snap and rich woodsy earthy tobacco notes with a lemon twang, yet what lingers is the taste of still-warm brownies. Fudgy, not quite as silken in texture as Valrhona. Smoky vanilla malt and smoothness. Wonderful.
62% Davao, Philippines Dark Milk Chocolate Bar + Sea Salt
Similar profile to the 77% Davao but more mellow, a little tangier. The tanginess emanates from the goat’s milk powder, with yoghurt as well as a light chevre flavour coming forth. At first bite, I’m delighted by strong caramel and a memory of South American dulce de leche, all accentuated by the sea salt. There’s a little grassiness, a little marscapone.
The rich chocolatiness lingers, lingers. At times I find myself preferring the Davao Dark Milk to the 77% Dark, as the dulce de leche notes sing to my soul more than the citrus twang of the 77%.
Dark Chocolate + Malted Milk CollaBARation™ Bar
This bar tastes brilliantly like Milo, but on a richer, higher, less sugary, more deeply chocolate-y plane. The flavour is not necessarily complex, but true and full. Eating this took me right back to my tween years of filling opaque plastic cups near to the brim with Milo and then carefully adding just a centimetre of milk on top, so that if Mum walked past she’d think I was drinking a glass of milk. Sorry, Mum. The truth of the matter is this: most of the time you thought I was drinking milk, I was eating full glasses of straight Milo powder.
Dark Chocolate + Coffee CollaBARation™ Bar
The aroma and taste of this bar is intensely espresso-forward, but smooth and sweet without any acrid bitterness. Mallory told us that Askinosie worked hard at perfecting the recipe so that the coffee beans could infuse the chocolate without needing to be embedded themselves. As a result, this is a silky chocolate, smooth both texturally and in terms of the coffee flavour. A very cohesive flavour for coffee lovers.
72% Tenende, Tanzania Dark Chocolate Bar
Tastes of milky coffee and berries to start, with vanilla and toast edging in. Sweet notes of demerara sugar, lemonade, and whipped cream. Caramel builds up with an undertone of charcoal, making me think of campfires and something almost savoury, like bruschetta. Finishes with dark yet sweet caramel notes.
To be continued.
Oh, memories! Taste bud memories…
I’m doing the hoarding thing again. My bars are still sitting on my shelf, unopened. I’m saving them. For what? I don’t know. I should quit that.
But speaking of saving, I see you’re saving your beloved l******e bar, my beloved w**** ********e bar, and our beloved v*****a bar for another post. (Don’t want to spoil the surprise, see.) MMM.
STOP IT. Seriously, stop it. Eat the d*mn things. If you don’t, I’m going to start bombarding your twitter feed every single morning with orders/admonitions. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
Teehee, you’re very sneaky! No one could ever figure out that code, I’m sure. Best flavours ever!
They all sound wonderful. I am not terribly sophisticated about chocolate, so even if it doesn’t sound as elegant as the others, I will go for the one that tastes like Milo.
Tastes like Milo? I’m in! Genius idea with the inch of milk on top the cup full of Milo. Genius.
Only one particular type of cup worked with this trick. With all the others, the milk would seep below and ruin everything. Yay science.
Milo chocolate? Cereal, milk? I’m a die hard fan
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Your language here is entirely possessed, and tangy and lyrical! A whole glass of Milo! My Mum woulda killed me. Though we used to sprinkle (cascade) it onto ice cream.
Are you sure that if the hubbie existed, you would be able to share these treasures??
Your Mum wouldn’t have killed you, because she’d never have known. That was the whole point.
Yes, I really would. Because then I’d be able to eat even more, as he’d help me finish up the old bars and thereby justify opening the new.
There are some things Mums just aren’t meant to know!
That sure is quite a chocolate haul! Love it! They all sound divine!
I’m laughing at the milo cups
Which was the one with bits on it (bottom left in the last photo)? I feel I should be able to work it out by my brain is failing me. It appeals to me hugely, whatever it is – chocolate with bits is something I very much like.
*but* my brain is failing me. which kind of proves the point.
Wait and see, my dear. Wait and see.
Oh Angle Babe! I know you would have bought them all yourself even if the rest weren’t Ambers
I want Chocolate now… mmMmmm Melty melty goodness!
You know me like a naked unicorn knows it must always have Disney dancing parties. Miss your face! xo
That’s quite a haul of chocolate. I’m starting to see more and more salted chocolate bars. Is this a new trend? I don’t remember seeing salted chocolate a few years ago xx
That’s funny; I’m getting really bored with salted chocolate now. It’s been around for years but has recently really started gaining traction in the mainstream. I thought it was such a novelty five years ago, and now I’m like “bah, humbug. Let’s find a new toy!”
I wanted to fill cups with milo rather than milk in my childhood – but I didn’t dare – though I visited friends where far more milo went in the glass and it was bliss! I understand that you need to buy such amazing chocolate and once you buy it then you need to eat it or you just couldn’t pick up your bags for chocolate weight
The best was when Mum wasn’t home and I could mix the full cup of Milo with the skerrick of milk and turn it into Milo concrete. SO GOOD.
A grown up Milo bar – I’m THERE, baby!
Everyone loves the Milo. Askinosie picked a winner (for Australian palates) there!
Oh no they don’t … never have, never will.
Stop ruining the fun!
You gals look so great and so does the chocolate! I need to go to that factory for all the samples!!
The 72% sounds like the one for me Mmmm.
Now if only they’d make turtles… teehee!
Are they still making their Soconusco bar? That was my absolute favoritest.
I thought about that too; I think they aren’t. It wasn’t in the line-up at the factory and I can’t see it on their website.
Yeah, I’ve checked online a few times… thought you might know something special since you were there live and in person and all!
I know many, many special things.
Hehe Milo!
Hmmm if I was a huge fan of chocolate, I don’t think I’d be sharing them with any husband of mine :p
The above photo of you and Amber is simply beautiful! You can just tell that you both are such loving souls.
Aw, thank you Dani! That’s so kind of you to say. Can’t wait to see you on Sunday
xo
Mmmm me loves mascarpone and dulce de leche taste! that bar sounds pretty wonderful, and what a lovely picture of you girls!
That chocolate-induced happiness photo is just gorgeous
Jealous of your loot!
Heidi xo
You really are CRAZY about chocolate hehe
so jealous that you get to taste so many different kinds I’d love to try Dark Chocolate + Malted Milk CollaBARation!!! You said it tasted like milo yummmmm
You’re only just figuring this out?
Wow. I’m so jealous. I bought one oh so delicious Askinosie bar in Texas last year. I would love to get my mitts on some more.