Castronovo Sierra Nevada Colombia 72%

Introduction

The Castronovo Sierra Nevada Colombia 72% dark chocolate is crafted from cacao grown in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region of Colombia. This unique area is home to the world’s tallest coastal and glacial mountain, encompassing all of Earth’s biomes. The cacao is cultivated on small agroforestry farms, working towards biodiversity preservation despite the challenges posed by palm and banana plantations.

In 2019, Denise Castronovo met Pedro Bolivar, a third-generation cacao farmer who is passionate about his craft and describes it as being “in his blood.” This bar is a tribute to the dedication and skill of these farmers, showcasing the rich, complex flavors of heirloom cacao from this special region.

Castronovo Sierra Nevada Colombia 72%

Batch Number: 1494

Ingredients: cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter

Aromas: fruity and spicy.

Flavor Profile:

• Walnut: Delivers a nutty profile with a slightly bitter edge, offering earthy richness and a subtle roasted quality that grounds the flavor profile.

• Nutmeg: Adds warm and complex spicy undertones, with hints of cinnamon, clove, and sweet pepper. Its subtle resinous and earthy qualities provide depth and a delicate warmth that enriches the palate.

• Maraschino Cherry: Adds a vibrant, fruity tartness with sour notes that contrast beautifully with the nutty and spiced base, creating a lively and dynamic layer.

• Purple Forest Guava: Offers a combination of tannic and acidic qualities, balanced by subtle tropical hints of pineapple and berries, adding an exotic dimension to the bar.

• Rose Hips: Blends floral, sweet, and tangy flavors, evoking tart apples, cranberries, and plums, with a distinct tangy aftertaste that elevates the fruity elements.

• Light Caramel Sweetness: Complements the profile with a soft, delicate sweetness, rounding out the flavor without overshadowing other notes.

Appearance (4/4): homogeneous, glossy, and uniform.

Snap (1/1): clean and sharp, indicating a well-tempered bar.

Tactile Attributes

• Fineness (4/5): Slightly perceptible particles, adding a rustic element to the smooth texture.

• Texture (8/8): Creamy and enveloping, offering a satisfying mouthfeel.

• Astringency (3/5): Mild astringency that complements the fruity and tropical notes of the bar.

• Roundness (5/7): Moderate and well-rounded, with a natural and consistent balance.

• Melting Point (2/5): Slow melting, reminiscent of two-ingredient chocolate without added cocoa butter.

Flavor Profile and Aftertaste

• Primary Cacao Flavor (7/10): Moderately intense, providing a robust foundation.

• Secondary Positive Flavors (12/12): Distinct and vibrant, delivering a pleasurable experience.

• Secondary Negative Flavors (0/-5): None detected, reflecting clean and precise production.

• Overall Aromatic Quality (5/5): Flavorful and aromatic, showcasing the cacao’s complexity.

• Aftertaste (5/5): Long-lasting, leaving a memorable impression of the chocolate’s fruity and sour elements.

  
  

Taste (Gustatory Attributes)

• Sweetness (5/6): Low, balanced, and perfectly in harmony with the chocolate bar’s character.

• Bitterness (4/6): Noticeable but well-balanced, enhancing the overall profile.

• Acidity (3/6): Present and harmonious, accentuating the fruity and tropical flavors.

• Harmony and Gustatory Pleasure (10/10): Excellent, with flavors blending seamlessly for a cohesive experience.

• Final Sensation (5/5): Outstanding and highly enjoyable, leaving a lasting impression.

Total Score: 83/100

This places the Castronovo Sierra Nevada Colombia 72% in the "Very Good" category, reflecting its depth, balance, and vibrant flavor profile.

Personal Reflection

This tasting experience is one of my absolute favorites. It’s no surprise that this chocolate earned a Gold Award at the Academy of Chocolate in 2022.

The flavor profile is both intriguing and captivating, encouraging a slow, deliberate savoring of the chocolate. This is the kind of single origin that demands your attention, drawing you in with its intensity and compelling you to pause and reflect on each nuance you perceive.

Castronovo’s Sierra Nevada Colombia 72% is a shining example of what single-origin chocolate should aspire to be: complex, engaging, and truly unforgettable.

A heartfelt thank you to Denise of Castronovo Chocolate for providing this sample.