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Post by Brad on Aug 27, 2009 23:02:38 GMT -5
Hey everyone!
My Chuao sample arrived today, so I rushed back to the shop to do some testing.
Interesting.... VERY Similar to Cuyagua, but with a distinct black pepper note present in the raw beans... Smells DAMNED GOOD in the oven though! WOW!
Exciting Times!
;D
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Post by Brad on Aug 28, 2009 1:18:34 GMT -5
Ok....
I roasted, cracked and winnowed the sample.
It's now in FrankenSantha.
The initial smell is absolutely amazing. If the taste is anything like the smeill, I'm going to buy as much as I can get my hands on.
To this point I can certainly understand why people fight over these beans! WOW!
:-)
Brad
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Post by Alchemist on Aug 28, 2009 10:14:42 GMT -5
Tease
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Post by cheebs on Aug 28, 2009 11:49:27 GMT -5
Tease Really! Just like the hot coeds prancing around in their teeny bikinis! Chocolatier porn! LOL
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Post by Brad on Aug 28, 2009 17:41:37 GMT -5
Cheebs;
Maybe I'm making chocolate in the wrong locale.... There are no hot coeds in teeny bikinis here! Well... maybe a few hot coeds.... but not in bikinis.
Here in Calgary we have only two seasons: Summer: 3 days. Winter: 362 days.
We're currently on our last day of summer and prepping for winter! LOL
No wonder my attempt to grow cocoa failed.
...but I have Chuao!!!!
Send me some pictures of bikinis!
Brad.
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Post by Brad on Aug 30, 2009 14:33:48 GMT -5
Well Everybody, the jury's in, and we have a winner.
The chuao I sampled was from the Hacienda Valdiviezo, and is everything this bean is cracked up to be.
It's not incredibly fruity, or nutty, or spicy, although all of those notes are present at one point or another in the taste spectrum. It is by far the richest and deepest chocolate I have yet to taste.
A very good comparison for those of you who were privileged enough to sample some Cuyagua when John had it a couple of years ago, would in fact be the Cuyagua. It is VERY close, but without the Tobacco/Caramel/Cinnamon/Apricot notes.
As a result, I have ordered 2 tons of Chuao, and another 2 tons of Cuyagua, and will proudly be the first North American Chocolatier/Chocolate Maker that I'm aware of who has this legendary bean to offer.
I may even break my shop policy and offer a limited amount of Chuao for sale through our web site.
Exciting times everyone!
TTFN Brad
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Post by hautechocolate on Aug 31, 2009 12:11:30 GMT -5
I'd be interested in some of those beans - if you decide to "break" your store's policy. Have fun with the awesome flavor profile! I'm living vicariously through others at the moment until my santha arrives.
JiLL
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Post by Brad on Aug 31, 2009 17:40:32 GMT -5
Clarification: I won't sell the beans - just the finished chocolate.
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