Manufacturer: Theo
Cocoa Content: 74%
Location: Madagascar
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B+

Today's chocolate is a 74% cacao dark chocolate from Theo. This bar is made from Madagascan cacao beans. The bar is a light mahogany in color with some orange highlights, which is typical for Madagascan chocolate. The nose has woody cocoa aromas.

The first impression on the palate is chocolate with bright citrus notes. The acidity is immediately present, but it is not overpowering. Citrus notes of lemonade, fresh squeezed lime juice and orange juice are all present. Other fruit notes are blackberries and juicy red wine. Other flavor notes include vanilla and some woodiness. Chewing the Theo Madagascar highlights lemonade, cherries and brownie batter. The mouthfeel has some slight grit/graininess. There is a touch of cooling sensation as well. The finish has lemonade, marshmallow and oak.

Theo has a bar that really makes for a good reference for the typical Madagascan chocolate. The color and the citrus flavor are classic Madagascan characteristics. There is some nice fruitiness without ever losing the chocolate flavor. My only compalint is that the texture is a near miss. If you're starting to get into single origin chocolates, I highly recommend the Theo Madagascar as a reference for what good Madagascan chocolate brings to the table.