Goodnow Farms Mexico Almendra Blanca 77%

Goodnow Farms crafts this 77% single origin chocolate bar using Almendra Blanca cacao beans sourced from Vicente Caçep's Hacienda Jesus Maria farm in Tabasco, Mexico.

Vicente's family has cultivated cacao on this 70-hectare estate for over 80 years. The farm dedicates 50 hectares to cacao, employing the best farming and post-harvest practices and supporting community initiatives, including projects led by local women. Vicente’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability is reflected in his choice to intercrop the remaining land with coffee, oranges, allspice, bananas, and other species, fostering a balanced ecosystem.

What makes Almendra Blanca cacao unique is its genetic profile, which results in naturally white beans rather than the typical purple hue. This characteristic gives the chocolate a lighter appearance despite its high cacao content.

Goodnow Farms’ meticulous approach to handcrafting this bar includes pressing fresh cocoa butter directly from the Almendra Blanca cacao beans in-house. This process enhances the chocolate's single origin intensity and creates an incredibly smooth texture.

Goodnow Farms Mexico Almendra Blanca 77%

Ingredients: cacao beans, organic sugar, freshly pressed cocoa butter

Batch Number: AUG 2026/1409

The aromas mirror the tasting notes: milk, vanilla, citrusy, floral and nutty.

Tasting Notes

• Milk and Vanilla: creamy notes with a natural sweetness, reminiscent of fresh cream and delicate bourbon vanilla beans.

• White Almonds (peeled) and Toasted Hazelnuts (buttery and slightly earthy, with a subtle chocolatey hint).

• Lilac Flowers: floral bouquet with a delicate sweetness, slight bitterness, and astringent undertones.

• Green Banana: mildly sweet.

• Kumquat peel: bright citrus with a harmonious balance of intriguing tartness and sweetness.

• Ripe white peach: floral sweetness.

• Pink Peppercorn: tangy-sweet with a peppery edge, leaving a pine-like note in the aftertaste.

Appearance (4/4): homogeneous, glossy, and uniform. Its color is extraordinary for a 77% bar, resembling papaya-rose.

Snap (1/1): Clean and sharp, indicating excellent tempering.

Tactile Attributes

• Fineness (5/5): no perceivable particles.

• Texture (8/8): silky, creamy, enveloping, and very smooth.

• Astringency (3/5): slightly present but harmonizes with the fruity notes.

• Roundness (5/7): medium-bodied, neither dense nor thin.

• Melting Point (5/5): melts rapidly and pleasantly.

  
  

Flavor Profile and Aftertaste

• Primary Cacao Flavor (6/10): subtle and fleeting.

• Secondary Pleasant Flavors (12/12): well-defined, distinct, and intense.

• Secondary Unpleasant Flavors: none detected.

• Overall Aromatic Quality (5/5): full of intense aromas and flavors.

• Aftertaste (5/5): excellent persistence, lingering pleasantly on the palate for 10 minutes.

  
  

Taste

• Sweetness (5/6): low, balanced, and appropriate.

• Bitterness (5/6): subtle but perceptible.

• Acidity (3/6): present but harmonizing with the fruity profile of the chocolate bar.

• Harmony and Gustatory Pleasure (10/10): excellent and harmonious.

  
  

Final Sensation (5/5): outstanding.

Total Score: 87/100

This score places the Goodnow Farms Mexico Almendra Blanca 77% bar in the "Outstanding" category, reflecting its exceptional craftsmanship, balance, and expressive aromatic profile.

Personal Reflection

This chocolate bar is captivating, especially its remarkable papaya-rose color, which resembles milk chocolate despite its 77% cacao content. This extraordinary hue is a testament to the unique white beans used to create it. The aromatic profile is well-rounded, balanced, and highly enjoyable: distinctive yet never overwhelming. The flavors are engaging and refined, making it an exceptional tasting experience. It is a one-in-a-million chocolate bar that stands out from sight to taste. I highly recommend it.

Thank you, Tom and Monica.

Goodnow Farms Mexico 77% Almendra Blanca