chrisurban.com » pepper

Dolfin Chocolat Noir Au Poivre Rose

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:45:27 +0000

Another fantastic Belgian chocolate, this time a dark – 52% cocoa – from the Belgian chocolatier Dolfin. This one is purely pink – peppercorns, that is.
We know well enough know to expect a solid chocolate from the Dolfin folks, and this is no exception. Smooth, nicely balanced, just enough sweet, just enough bitter, and the pink peppercorns gives just the right hint of ‘light’ pepper. That’s the beauty of a bar like this – it really makes you appreciate the subtle difference between a lighter, higher note from pink peppercorn, as opposed to the earthier, more pungent black pepper. (what about white pepper, you ask? there’s a chocolate for that.)
So now we’re two-thirds of the way through our Dolfin pepper chocolate trifecta. Read on…

Café Tasse Noir Poivre de Szechuan

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:38:42 +0000

Among the many Belgian chocolates I recently found at Chelsea Market Basket, this was one of the most interesting I tried. Now, it’s important to note that I say interesting – it is not my favorite, but I am glad I got to try this.
You open this bar up – it’s a delicious smelling 54% Belgian chocolate. You take a bite, and wham! Right away you’re blindsided with the szechuan pepper. It doesn’t sneak up on you, it doesn’t gracefully enter the chocolate room, it jumps on top of your tongue and rodeo rides it until you give up. And after you give up, it’s still around – remember you were eating chocolate? The pepper lingers on the back of your tongue like Anbesol.
Alright, so perhaps I’m a little over the top. Try this chocolate and you tell me. I can see where this might turn some people off. Me, I like it: I think it’s interesting.

Hachez Cocoa d’Arriba – Strawberry & Pepper

Chris Urban — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:22:59 +0000

Strawberry and pepper? German dark chocolate? Sounded interesting.

Using Ecuadorian dark chocolate, this is a mildly bitter, dark, not overly sweet chocolate. Very smooth, full-flavored, bittersweet chocolate. We think while the pepper is just about right, the strawberry could stand to be a little more prominent. As it is, it has just a hint of strawberry (1.5%) which floats to the top as it melts in your mouth, and the pepper holds the bottom down. This is indeed a “superior mild dark chocolate.”

Two year old’s reaction: shakes head vigorously and succinctly says “no.”

Four year old: “a little salty, tastes like grapes, a little bitter and creamy.”

Frey Chocolate Citron & Poivre (lemon & pepper)

Chris Urban — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:33:12 +0000

Wow – once in a while you try a chocolate that really makes you stop and think about what you’re trying. This is one of them – what a delicious combination of dark swiss chocolate (55%), lemon powder and black pepper. Made by Frey Chocolate, a Swiss chocolatier recently (2006?) introduced their chocolate into the US via Target stores. Thank you, Target! Known in Europe for their unicorn themed commercials not much unlike American perfume spots (the unicorn comes from their logo) and available there in Migros stores…

This chocolate reminds me a little of Cuban cigars: you hear that a Cuban cigar is different, that they’re better, etc. but until you actually try on in context does one really appreciate the subtle differences in quality and taste. This bar is really good – but I have to wonder if this is chocolate made for the American market only?