Some of my readers might know that I am a big connaisseur of - especially dark - chocolate. During the "good old Zwackelmann days" we used to host "chocolate tasting sessions" at home - a tradition I have continued in India (importing the some of the most exclusive chocs from Europe) and recently revived here in Wroclaw.
For those who share my weakness for this sweet temptation I have decided to write regular reviews of some of my favourite chocolates. Although, as mentioned above, my preference lies clearly on the darker side, I will also feature some of the very delicious milk chocolates from time to time.
During my last visit to Germany I have accidentally come across a very nice little Chocolaterie, whose owner is not only very friendly, but also extremely knowledgable. Since this place has recently been opened and I was very pleased with the service, I would like to recommend it to those of you living in and around the Rhineland:
Chocolaterie "Desir Noir"
Luminaden
Wiesdorfer Platz 16
51373 Leverkusen
Germany
Phone: +49 1577 254 38 43
It was the owner of this little shop who recommended the chocolate I would like to write about today: Michel' Cluitzel's "Hacienda Mangaro"
With a 65% cocoa percentage it's not too dark, so it might be worth trying even if you're a "milky" (if you're sure you don't wanna try, there's a milk version with only 50% as well). Michel Cluizel's chocolate is manufatured in the south of the Normandy in France and from previous tastings I was somehow (don't ask me why ...) not a big fan of his chocolate and thus was initially quite reluctant to buy it. However going by the recommendation of the owner has eventually paid off: the cocoa beans used in this "single-plantation" chocolate from Madagascar have been grown on a plantation which was formerly a mango tree forest, so the beans inherited a "fruity" flavour from the earth. I think one needs to develop a taste for this special citric something, which actually gives this chocolate a very exotic and distinct flavour, but once you have acquired it, the Mangaro is an amazing experience to your tastebuds :-)
A perfect chocolate for a warm summer evening ...recommends
Memonji
