Christopher's Confections
Impact
Christopher Elbow & Christopher Norman... meet Christopher Blume - part of the Chris-Cross in America. If Elbow sits high on top the pyramid, & Norman can be found just about everywhere subterranean nowadays (check the basement of Whole Paychecks), then Blume’s a rising sun bringing new light.
Presentation 4.2 / 5
simple, well-tempered molds w/ tight fit & finish
Aromas 4.1 / 5
positively balanced between couverture & slightly-favored infusions which carries over into flavor profile
Textures/Melt 7.1 / 10
| Shells: | medium to thick crackle |
| Centers: | softly dense |
Flavor 42.9 / 50
epitomizes New American approach: strong pattern of infusion-forwardness at start (w/out tripping over), then generic stock chocolate gaining prominence at finish
Quality 25.8 / 30
Good synergy & balance; plus inventive without being eccentric. Better couverture would raise overall curve.
Selections
| Couverture: | mostly Barry Cacao - Callebaut |
Banana Maté – roasted tea squarely counters otherwise toothpaste-round banana for a little ganache magic which ever gradually reaches a choc-chip cookie dough finale>br> Gingerbread – realistic; ginger clambers all over hazel-milk center progressing to another good reveal in the late stage
Peppercorn – pepper a box-cutter thru a flat dark that gets up off the mat to envelope & absorb it; excellent
XO – Hennessy rips the front end, almost springing too much & too hot, then true to form, chocolate catches to calm it for 2 fortified spirits
Butter & Scotch – good play on words & flavors, albeit an oozy gun of runny soft caramel knowledge
Peppercorn – pepper a box-cutter thru a flat dark that gets up off the mat to envelope & absorb it; excellent
XO – Hennessy rips the front end, almost springing too much & too hot, then true to form, chocolate catches to calm it for 2 fortified spirits
Butter & Scotch – good play on words & flavors, albeit an oozy gun of runny soft caramel knowledge