When autumn sweeps through New England, it brings a bounty of fresh apple cider. But this isn’t your typical cider: Goodnow Farms has partnered with Downeast Cider to handcraft a chocolate bar that perfectly captures the essence of fall.
Downeast is renowned for its hard cider, a beverage created by fermenting fresh apple juice. The fermentation process not only develops a natural alcohol content but also enhances the cider's flavor, giving it a crisp, vibrant profile with notes of fresh apple, warm spices, and a touch of caramel sweetness. Unfiltered hard cider, like Downeast's Overboard 8%, retains the natural sediment of the apples, resulting in an unparallel authentic taste.
The chocolate’s foundation lies in Zorzal cacao, cultivated in the heart of the Dominican Republic’s Zorzal Reserve. This 1,000-acre conservation project protects biodiversity and supports local farmers through sustainable cacao production. Zorzal cacao is prized for its aromatic complexity, and flavor notes ranging from deep molasses and ripe fruits to subtle spices and a lingering richness that pairs beautifully with the cider infusion.
To create this inclusion, Zorzal cacao nibs are steeped in Downeast’s Overboard 8%, an unfiltered hard cider that preserves the apples' natural sediment and full-bodied character. This meticulous process infuses the nibs with the cider’s bright, tangy essence. Importantly, while the cider adds its unique flavor, all the alcohol evaporates during chocolate-making, resulting in a completely alcohol-free bar.
Ingredients: single origin Zorzal cacao beans, organic cane sugar, freshly pressed single origin cocoa butter, unfiltered hard cider (hard cider, freshly pressed apple cider, water, sugar, malic acid, sulfites to preserve flavor).
Batch Number: AUG 2026/1426
Aromas
Fresh Apple: Comparable to freshly pressed apple juice.
Dark Cane Sugar: Warm and caramelized undertones.
Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg.
Buttery Caramel: Sweet and rich, with a velvety appeal.
Tasting Notes
Fresh Mcintosh Apples: sweet and tart with a slightly spicy note.
Ripe mango tropical vibes: creamy sweetness with subtle resinous undertones from the midpalate to the end of the tasting.
Dark Cane Sugar: Adds depth and richness to the flavor profile in the background and aftertaste.
Spices: Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, enhancing complexity.
Buttery Caramel: Sweet and buttery tones that enrich the tasting experience.
Balanced acidity adds vibrancy and a clean palate.
Appearance (5/5): Homogeneous, glossy, and uniform surface.
Tactile Attributes
Fineness (4/5): Almost no perceivable particles.
Texture (7/8): Creamy, enveloping, and smooth.
Astringency (5/5): Absent.
Melting Point (5/5): Very rapid.
Inclusion Balance (6/7): Excellent, coherent.
Flavor Profile/Aftertaste
Primary Cacao Flavor (6/8): Moderately intense, especially noticeable in the aftertaste.
Unpleasant Secondary Aromas (0): None detected.
Inclusion Quality (10/10): Excellent, intense, and fragrant.
Balance and Harmony Between Chocolate and Inclusion (10/10): Excellent, well-balanced, and harmonious.
Taste
Sweetness (3/5): Correct and balanced.
Bitterness (4/5): Slightly perceptible, towards the end and in the aftertaste.
Acidity (3/5): Present yet sweet.
Aftertaste (4/5): lasts approximately 10 minutes.
Flavor Profile and Aromas Balance (10/10): Excellent and well-balanced.
Final Sensation (5/5): Excellent and pleasant.
Final Score: 87
This score places the Goodnow Farms Unfiltered Hard Cider Bar in the "Exceptional" category.
Personal Reflection
I find this inclusion truly fascinating and a delight to explore. As someone unfamiliar with hard cider, I was pleasantly surprised by how its essence was captured in the chocolate. The fresh apple flavor at the start is incredibly genuine, sweet yet tart, with a rewarding spiced undertone. What stood out to me was the tropical vibe mid-palate, where juicy and creamy mango notes shine through, adding a unique dimension to the experience. The molasses chocolate layer in the background ties everything together seamlessly.
I deeply admire Goodnow Farms for their thoughtful approach to hand-crafting inclusions. Their collaborations with small businesses are never random or superficial. They take the time to experience these products, understand their origins, and carefully select what pairs best with their fine flavor cacao.
In particular, this limited edition is undoubtedly innovative yet approachable enough to be enjoyed daily. Goodnow Farms Chocolate has once again demonstrated the ability to create a tasting experience that feels meaningful, balanced, and deeply palatable, proving that they are masters of harmonizing flavors in ways that highlight the strengths of their single origin cacao beans and their carefully chosen partners.
Thank you, Tom & Monica, founders of Goodnow Farms Chocolate
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