Chocolate Tasting: Vive La Différence! The Rock is home to some 8 different micro-climates (out of 13 worldwide), and was traditionally divided into many more “ahupua’a.” Some folks find these different regions result in different flavor profiles. Take a taste tour of Big Island “moku” (districts) chocolate, each made from the cacao of a different region of the island. Features Madre Chocolate, Maverick Chocolate, Puna Single-District Chocolate, Waialua Estate Chocolate. (Tasting at Koana, 12:30pm-2:00pm, limit 8 participants, sign up at Koana or sign up via email to KoanaHawaii@gmail.com.)
Order | Brand | Bar | Batch | Source |
1 | Puna | Puna | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
2 | Puna | Hilo | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
3 | Puna | Hamakua | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
4 | Maverick | Big Island | NA | Maverick Online |
5 | Puna | Hakalau | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
6 | Puna | Kohala | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
7 | Madre | Kona Criollo | NA | Kohala Center Market |
8 | Puna | Captain Cook | NA | Puna Chocolate Hilo |
9 | Waialua Estate | 70% | 111821 | Cocoa Outlet |
- Sniff: pop the top off of the chocolate container and smell the aroma.
- Rub: if there’s not enough aroma to smell, lightly rub the surface of the chocolate.
- Look: pull out a piece of chocolate and look at it, the top, bottom, and sides.
- Snap: bring the piece of chocolate next to your ear, and break it in two.
- Lick: put the piece between your tongue and top of your mouth and lick it.
- Melt: let the chocolate stay on the top of your tongue to melt in your mouth.
- Chew: when softened, chomp the chocolate to release the flavors.
- Finish: note the final flavors theat linger after you’ve eaten the chocolate.