Amedei – La Tavoletta – 70%

Price Approx 4.00 Euro's for 100g

Comparative price Approx 4.00 Euro's per 100g

Origin Blended

Rating 4 stars

Buy again Yes, a very good chocolate

I'd heard rumors of a great Italian chocolate house called Amedei but sadly being in Australia had no way to venture further than rumour, but when a friend (Heidi of fellow reviewing fame) travelled to Italy it became my duty to ask (beg) her to bring me some home.  Sadly, I wasn't quite aware of how hard it is to procure good chocolate in the middle of summer when so many shops have closed for summer but I take my hat off to you Heidi, for your perseverance and ability to keep the chocolate in unmelted form in sweltering temperatures - thank you!

So, amongst my Amedei and Venchi goodies I choose to start with this particular bar for for the simple reason that there are two of this particular one so that seems to make sense.  Although I must admit I was a little confused when reading this and had quite convinced myself it was cooking chocolate (it has chooclate fondante) written on the packaging and Google was uncharacteristically unhelpful in helping me decode this.  So whilst I eventually discovered it wasn't cooking chocolate (sacrilege at this quality) I had used a wee bit when baking apple and cinnamon muffins - YUM!

But now I sit down to eat and savour it properly.  This particular chocoalte is a blend of three beans, specially selected to achieve the promised flavour.  

Sight

For a chocolate that comes within the 'black' range I must admit I was expecting a darker hue, however this is an approrpiately rich coloured chocolate with a slight red tinge to it.

The pieces themselves are large, much larger than the average, this is a good two or three bites in each.  The thickness is also satisfying, no little thin wisp here but a good solid offering.

Each piece has the name of Amedei proudly stamped on it with little other decoration, but then Amedei needs little other than its name.

Smell 

A distinctly strong, inviting and enticing aroma that invites one to get started on this chocolate.  Particularly on the break, the aroma is particularly strong.  

Snap

This is a solid, proud snap with particular resonance.  Whether this is the chocolate itself or the thickness I am not sure, but this is one good snap.  

The only problem is the pieces themselves are difficult to break if you were so inclined as they are rather thick.

Taste & Texture

The first thing I notice as I bite off a piece is the rather strange texture; it almost has a crumbly feeling within my mouth and it certainly doesn't melt quickly.  From what I am experiencing, I would hazard a guess this is low in cocoa butter...

As for the flavour it strangely reminds me of lollies or something I would get from the show/fair.  This is the oddest description I have yet written, but it evokes something sweet and familiar but I cannot pinpoint it.

So trying to ignore my nostalgic tastes of childhood, I turn my attendtion to my more refined, adult tastes...

This is an interesting chocolate.  I am somewhat disconcerted at first by the texture being so chalky when biting into it, and whilst it melts slowly it does so smoothly and pleasantly - some may even argue the slow melting is a benefit as it certainly does allow the chooclate to linger on the palette imparting its charms.

But I keep digressing from flavour.  Taste is slow to develop and as is does start to pick up pace it brings with it a cocoa bitterness and a slight sharpness of raspberries.  The bitterness develops into more earthy coffee or tobacco notes but then it is reprieved as the sharp berry flavours make their presence felt.  And whilst this is a distinct and strong flavour, it is offered slowly and gently so it feels like an unfolding rather than an onslaught.  I find the sharpness of the flavour and the delicateness in which it is delivered balanced and interesting.

The flavour lingers on the palette but this is an exceptionally clean finish.  Whilst this is 70% cocoa, and initially a little bitter, this leaves quickly and it is a strongly and appropriately blended chocolate.

Summary

Something I find very interesting about this chocolate is how slow it melts and how gently the flavour delivers itself, or maybe the slow melt provides me the time to take this in, it certainly isn't a rushed tasting and with such large pieces, there is more waiting for me to try.

I am not sure I am quite reconciled to the texture when I bite into it, but it does melt beautifully (albeit slowly) so I can forgive it.  

Amedei describe this as 'chooclate with style' and I would have to agree.  It starts very slowly and takes its time to warm up but when it does it delivers strength and character.  It isn't flashy or selling itself too quickly, but is rather quiet, discreet and lovely.  I rate this as 4 out of 5 - I do wonder whether it should make it to 4.5 but I don't think it has quite made it that far for me.  But overall a very good chocolate.

12 September 2009
Reviewer: Shari