IN 1925, JOSEPH RICHART,
maitre chocolatier, founded his
laboratoire. Three generations later,
richart chocolates are sold across the world. Among them is a wide range of single-origin bars and an excellent single-origin tasting box which we review below.
Availability:
RICHART chocolate can be bought from the website website as well as in 15 stores around the world (see below).
Stores:
Paris: 258 bd St Germain, 75007 Paris, Tel +33 1 45 55 66 00, Mon-Sun 10-7
There are other stores in Lyon, Milan, Geneva, Barcelona, Tokyo, Seoul, New York, Boston, San Francisco, San Juan and Rabat. Details can be found here.
THE TASTING BOX
key: (C)riollo (T)rinitario (F)orastero
SUR DEL LAGO 70% (C)Venezuela, South America
This rich but dry chocolate carries flavours of wood, spice and mushrooms with a distinct underlying Criollo note.
MADAGASCAR 70% (T/C) Madagascar, Africa
The complex flavour of this sample combines sweet notes of mandarin with hints of coffee before ending in a dry finish.
PAPOUASIE 71% (T/F) Papua New Guinea, South East Asia
After hints of coffee at the beginning, a sweet edge and strong flavours of ester fruits and banana dominate this sample, which also exhibits a slightly oily texture.
GRENADE 71% (T) Grenada, Carribean
Earthy, dry notes with hints of berry fruit make this fairly sweet chocolate appear a little unspectacular by contrast.
COTE d'IVOIRE 73% (F) Ivory Coast, Africa
This highly unusual sample combines strong notes of apple with the flavour of nuts. Probably one of the most interesting Forasteros we have come across.
CARENERO SUPERIOR 75% (T) Venezuela, South America
While lacking unusual flavours, this chocolate still managed to impress us in a more conventional way by filling the mouth with a full and rich, powerful taste, with bitter notes of coffee. A classic example of this classic Trinitario.
ST DOMINGO 82% (T) Dominican Republic, Carribean
Strong notes of berry fruit are followed by a very dry finish and pleasing aftertaste. Not too unusual but well executed.
EQUATEUR 82% (C/F) Ecuador, South America
This very interesting sample with an edge brings strong earthy and burnt flavours with notes of green tea.
HAITI 70% (T) Haiti, Carribean
Less complex than some of the others, this rather sweet chocolate carries notes of caramel with a hint of peach.