Java 75%
by Alain Ducasse
Impact
A life pondering chocolate suspends itself, at the very melting point of a bar, in a kind of transcendence. The experience inhabits 'union' -- at its best fully, kindly, & creatively -- for a temporary glimpse of immortality.
Instant enlightenment attained... once realizing that none of it lasts... forever. The very nature of living; with hopefully the wisdom to fulminate less / praise more, in the spirit of compassion & respect for those who toil to bring chocolate, any chocolate, into fruition.
Especially if it falls way short of expectation, & goads self-righteousness to condemn it... but then refrains from such vitriol.
This bar demands such restraint & forgiveness while testing the limits of both of these virtues.
Instant enlightenment attained... once realizing that none of it lasts... forever. The very nature of living; with hopefully the wisdom to fulminate less / praise more, in the spirit of compassion & respect for those who toil to bring chocolate, any chocolate, into fruition.
Especially if it falls way short of expectation, & goads self-righteousness to condemn it... but then refrains from such vitriol.
This bar demands such restraint & forgiveness while testing the limits of both of these virtues.
Appearance 4 / 5
| Color: | no light/white Java 'A' here; dark gunsmoke with purple wisp |
| Surface: | fair |
| Temper: | recessed |
| Snap: | brittle dry |
Aroma 4.3 / 10
runs right over the nostrils with a Big Mack truck fuming diesel out the twin exhausts & burning rubber tires + brake fluid
beneath it all a load of cocoa scatters
leaves behind skid marks & a snub nose
beneath it all a load of cocoa scatters
leaves behind skid marks & a snub nose
Mouthfeel 12 / 15
| Texture: | great balls of fire-wax |
| Melt: | liquid smoke |
Flavor 14.2 / 50
sour diesel (sorry, stoners, the nonflammable variety)
grilled cocoa -> charcoal lighter fluid -> sour-sauce underneath with a trace of lemongrass -> smoke entrails to the high-heavens over the horizon -> strident stringent grip
grilled cocoa -> charcoal lighter fluid -> sour-sauce underneath with a trace of lemongrass -> smoke entrails to the high-heavens over the horizon -> strident stringent grip
Quality 3.1 / 20
Bar-b-q sauce.
Tainted goods / fire-damaged. Java's mechanically-dried cocoa -- in this case uncontrolled smoke -- practically fried in cacáo's own grease. Add-in a rank ferment to the woes.
Ducasse should've never taken delivery; shipment should've been rejected. Either that or re-direct them to one of the nearby chocolate giants to re-commerce in their candy bars smothered in sugar & vanilla.
At least this bar stands somewhat alone in the Ducasse line-up... un-marred by rancid emulsifier oils. The smoke effectively clouds the sunflower lecithin up.
Gives "fine chocolate" a soot-covered rep.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, vanilla
Reviewed June 25, 2013
Tainted goods / fire-damaged. Java's mechanically-dried cocoa -- in this case uncontrolled smoke -- practically fried in cacáo's own grease. Add-in a rank ferment to the woes.
Ducasse should've never taken delivery; shipment should've been rejected. Either that or re-direct them to one of the nearby chocolate giants to re-commerce in their candy bars smothered in sugar & vanilla.
At least this bar stands somewhat alone in the Ducasse line-up... un-marred by rancid emulsifier oils. The smoke effectively clouds the sunflower lecithin up.
Gives "fine chocolate" a soot-covered rep.
INGREDIENTS: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, vanilla
Reviewed June 25, 2013