A. Morin Java Arjuna 70%
A. Morin - Java - Arjuna - 70% - Batch 25/03/24
Cacao origin/type:
Local cacao variety
Ingredients:
Cacao beans, cane sugar, cacao butter, sun flower lecithin
Other facts:
Made in France (A. Morin, Donzere)
https://chocolaterie-morin.com/
"A. Morin Chocolatiers are a 4th generation chocolate maker in Donzère, France. Chocolatiers from father to son since 1994, André Morin founded Chocolaterie A. Morin in 1958 to start making bean to bar chocolate. Since then, they have created artisan chocolate in accordance with chocolate making tradition.They have spent years cultivating relationships with their cocoa producers and farmers to create their line of single origin chocolate bars. They also cultivate over 15,000 acres of fruit and nut orchards to use as raw ingredients such as almonds, hazelnuts and cherries for their pralines, pastes, nougats and jams."
Despite the fact that the A. Morin brand is not that old - it originated in the 1950s - we are dealing with very classic, albeit nicely designed packaging. The classic folded, non-reclosable outer packaging, the lower half in a different colour depending on the country, with the bar wrapped in equally classic aluminium foil.
The bars themselves are also very classic, on the one hand in a positive sense, as at 100gr they are quite generous in the single origin sector these days. On the other hand, they are unusually thick/high by today's standards, which I'm sure some people prefer. The finish, on the other hand, is a good step below the top end of the spectrum, slight irregularities and crumbs on the edges and base, not a disaster, but more is possible these days. No logo, no embossing, again very classic rectangles as chambers, without any decoration.
Relatively light medium brown for the cocoa percentage and with a slight red tinge, it breaks relatively dull, but with a fairly smooth cross-section.
Aroma:
Exciting roasted notes on the nose, not the typical roasted beans as with Willie's and others, but roasted woods and grasses, also a hint of smoked ham, plus some citrus peel and cinnamon
Taste:
Nice creamy melt and full body, ok it has "only" 70% cocoa, but with the creaminess and fullness almost feels like a milk chocolate, in the mouth the roasted note clearly continues, light BBQ almost, grilled citrus peel, most likely bergamot, some nutmeg and black pepper, as well as some woods are present, chestnut
Finish:
The chestnut becomes more pronounced, but the finish is noticeably drier, woody, the roasted note lingers for a long time
Conclusion:
Not quite as exciting as the Vietnam Thanh Long in the range, for example, but it scores points for the fact that the roasted flavour is nicely incorporated and does not appear quite typical, with subtle spicy notes also contributing to the complexity. The body and smoothness, on the other hand, are fantastically realised.
