THIS INTERESTING NEW chocolate producer was founded in 2006 by a German conservationist entrepreneur, a Dutch fair trade expert and an American organic food marketer. Unsurprisingly
ORIGINAL BEANS emphasizes the sustainability of their chocolate production, and has been involved in establishing a Porcelana plantation in Peru. (This particularly fine Criollo is normally grown in Venezuela and Mexico.) Currently there are four single origin bars in the range, two of which we review below.
Website: www.originalbeans.com
Availability: ORIGINAL BEANS has no stores of its own, but is available in a wide range of delicatessen and fine food shops throughout the Europe and the US. A list of these can be found here.
THE CHOCOLATE BARS
click on countries of origin for more information
PIURA PORCELANA 75% Peru, South America
Made from the fabled Porcelana Criollo variety, this complex bar carries notes of apple and physalis, accompanied by distinct Criollo flavours, and provides a long finish with hints of popcorn.
ESMERALDAS MILK 42% Ecuador, South America
This dark milk bar, with added Fleur de Sel (high quality French sea salt), offers buttery flavours of caramel, and is altogether very pleasant, but do not expect huge complexity.
There are two further bars, Cru Virunga (70%, D. R. Congo) and Beni Wild Harvest (66%, Bolivia).