Amano — Chocolate From A Former Scientist
Art Pollard is a scientist by training. His specialty is search engines. In fact, his code is on most of our computers, in one form or another.
He’s also a chocoholic. More than 10 years ago, he started studying the science of chocolate. And two years ago, he started sharing his chocolate handiwork with the sweet-tooths of the world.
Thus was born Amano Artisan Chocolate. The name in Italian means both “by hand” and “they love.” It’s Pollard’s way of saying he hopes what he handcrafts will be loved by all who try it. He works with cacao farmers to improve their growing, fermenting and drying techniques. In return, he says he pays them three to four times the going market price — well above “fair trade” level.
He chose Orem, Utah for his factory, believing the high altitude (4,441 feet above sea level) and dry climate have beneficial effects on the chocolate. His 2-ounce bars ($6.95 each) are available online.
I’ll use my patented scale of 1 to 10 lip-smackers, with 1 being the “Bleh, save your money’’ far end of the spectrum; 5 being the “I’m not sure I’d buy it, but if it was just there, I might nibble some’’ middle-of-the-road response; and 10 being the “My gawd, I could die now and never be happier, because this is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth’’ supreme ranking.
Ocumare, Grand Cru Dark Chocolate 70 percent cacao: These beans come from the Central coast of Venezuela. The resulting chocolate is earthy, woodsy, and with a pleasant bitterness. It’s a little akin to an espresso with foam on top. Rating: 8 lip-smackers.
Cuyagua, Premium Dark Chocolate 70 percent cacao: Also made from beans from Venezuela, this chocolate bar is complex with malty, nutty, woody notes. It has real richness, but no fruity-ness at all. Rating: 8 lip-smackers.
Madagascar, Premium Dark Chocolate 70 percent cacao: Amano says this is a favorite of pastry chefs, and it’s easy to taste why. It is smooth, with coffee notes, and very vibrant cherry and raspberry flavors, and just a bit of acidity. It really fills your mouth. Rating: 9 lip-smackers.
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Monday, 8. September 2008 7:51
When I worked at Bittersweet Cafe, we got to choose from that entire wall of chocolate bars whenever we had a craving, and I can say the Ocumare was definitely one of my favorites!
Monday, 8. September 2008 8:06
Man, what a great job perk! I think every employer should have a wall of chocolate bars for their employees.
Monday, 8. September 2008 16:46
wow. you gave these 8 and 9 lip-smackers! that is HIGH!!! i am going to look for these bars.
Tuesday, 9. September 2008 8:58
Yep! I definitely enjoy Amano! Still have two squares that tempt me constantly! I hope you also have room for a post about Patric Chocolate?
Tuesday, 9. September 2008 13:17
Patric Chocolate is a new one to me. I will have to seek that one out. Thanks for the recommendation. One can never have too much chocolate.
Wednesday, 29. October 2008 10:42
[...] a few more blogs that have reviewed our chocolate. Blavish gave use a very nice holiday review. So did Food Gal who gave us a “9 lip-smackers review.”Speaking of blogs, you might like the following [...]