ONE OF THE FEW INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE PRODUCERS from the homeland of chocolate, the Venezuelan company
EL REY - a family business founded in 1929 - sells most of its chocolate in the United States where it is one of the major players in the market for fine chocolate.
Website: www.chocolates-elrey.com
Stores: The EL REY website features an extensive list of retailers in the United States which carry EL REY chocolate. All bars are made from Venezuelan Carenero Superior Trinitario.
Availability: In addition to the stores, EL REY chocolate can also be purchased online from its website.
THE CHOCOLATE BARS
click on countries of origin for more information
CAOBA 41% Venezuela, South America
This dark milk bar starts with notes of coffee which blossom into full flavours of caramel, honey and vanilla with spicy warmth containing hints of ginger.
BUCARE 58.5% Venezuela, South America
This bar did not impress us particularly. The low percentage for a non-milk bar means a high sugar content which masks the subtler flavours of the cocoa.
There are three more EL REY bars from the same cocoa, the Mijao (61%), the Gran Saman (70%) and the Apamate (73.5%).