Chocolate Adventure Flight
Welcome to the tasting journey
Each chocolate in your flight was made from cacao beans in small batches in Exeter.
Bean-to-bar chocolate is a little like wine or coffee — the origin, variety, fermentation and roasting process all shape the final flavour.
The four chocolates you’ve just tasted were chosen to show how different chocolate can be.
1. Hacienda La Carrera 70%
This cocoa is grown by Hacienda San José Real de la Carrera, one of the biggest privately-owned plantations in Central America.
El Salvador’s volcanic soils help create the bright acidity and fruit notes found in this chocolate.
Explore further:
Learn about El Salvador cacao →
2. Copinol Escondido 70%
These beans come from Elmer and his family at Copinol Escondido, a mountainside farm in El Salvador that I visited and stayed on - only accessible on foot through forest and waterfalls.
Explore further:
Read about volcanic soils and chocolate flavour →
3. Masala chai 50%
This chocolate is made with our cacao from Colombia, and infused with our house chai blend.
Cinnamon, cardamom and aromatic spices are ground with the cacao beans, to create a softer, comforting chocolate designed for slow tasting.
Explore further:
Learn about our Colombia cacao →
3. oregano & seasalt 70%
A flavour pairing inspired by an idea I had while on holiday.
The herbal oregano contrasts with the rich dark chocolate, while the salt brings out notes of caramel and roasted nuts.
Explore further:
Full Tasting Notes
1. Hacienda La Carrera
Aroma
Raisin, citrus
First impression
Green apple acidity
As it melts
Mouthwatering tartness, deepening into raisins and brown sugar
Finish
Rich chocolate, cream and black tea
2. copinol escondido
Aroma
Black olive, bread
First impression
Olives, burnt sugar
As it melts
Sweet and sour tamarind and dates, leading to a buttery creaminess
Finish
Clean finish, dark caramel and apricot
3. masala chai 50%
Aroma
Sweet cinnamon
First impression
Fast melt, spiced biscuits
As it melts
Ginger, cardamom, caramel
Finish
Toffee, gentle spice warmth
4. oregano & seasalt
Aroma
Oregano, salted caramel
First impression
Earthy cocoa, toasted nuts
As it melts
Sour cherry, slightly savoury
Finish
Lingering rich herbal chocolate
Continue the Chocolate Adventure
Shop the tasting flight
Visit our Exeter shop
Learn bean-to-bar chocolate making
Read The Self-Taught Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Maker
Which chocolate surprised you most?
Share your tasting flight on Instagram and tag
@nicolas_chocolateadventures
Vote in today’s Instagram story poll and see which chocolate everyone else is choosing.
