Valrhona Caraïbe 66% Dark Chocolate Sampler

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

A blend of Trinitario cacao beans from different plantations along the Caribbean, the Caraïbe chocolate squares are balanced and velvety, aromatic and fruity, barely sweet, and reveals the delicate flavors of almonds and roasted coffee. It has a long finish with a slightly oaky tinge to it.

PAIRINGS

As a chocolate square, the Caraïbe makes a decadent treat with your tea or coffee. It is, of course, great to pair with many different flavor profiles. We like it with all things citrusy, of course—from clementines to grapefruit to the ever-popular orange—to bring out its fruity notes best. Reach for some nuts, be they almond, walnut, or hazelnut, to complement its flavors. Choose a fortified wine like port or a red wine in the port tradition like Malbec, Zinfandel, or Shiraz to go with your treat!

A SIGNATURE FLAVOR

Fruity notes are a Valrhona signature, a result of this chocolate house’s light cacao roasting style. They also tend to be sharp or tannic, from both the roasting and the fermentation processes of the beans. Of all the prestigious chocolate brands from France, Valrhona is a textbook example of smoothness. In the 1980s, Valrhona pioneered the Grand Cru chocolate movement, including the exclusive terroir of their different partner plantations in coming up with their blends.

Storage Instructions

Store your chocolates in a cool, dark place, ideally between 18 to 24°C. You can use the refrigerator, but place the chocolate in an airtight container to keep the moisture and humidity out—and retain its full range of flavors, of course!