Patric Chocolate: From Bean to Bar

Columbia, MO-based Patric Chocolate makes dark chocolate bars in small batches, from cacao beans sourced from Madagascar.
Founder Alan McClure started his company three years ago, after being inspired by the chocolate-making traditions he witnessed while traveling in France.
Hearing about Food Gal’s insatiable appetite for all things chocolate, McClure sent me a sample to try. The 1.75-ounce bars retail for $6.25 each.
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.
Patric Chocolate Madagascar 70 percent: Love the bold “P’s” imprinted on the squares of the bar. This is quite complex tasting. Flavors of plum and wine hit you immediately, along with a lovely bitterness. There’s a pronounced citrusy tang, as well, more so than in many other dark chocolates. The spectrum of flavors makes this a very grown-up tasting bar. Rating: 8 lip-smackers.



Monday, 22. June 2009 9:04
I know I would love this chocolate, the flavors of plum and wine sound excellent!
Monday, 22. June 2009 10:07
Chocolate is a perfect simplicity! I will try this Chocolate bar and share with my friends ~~~
Thanks for Sharing your Chocolate post ~~~
Monday, 22. June 2009 11:52
oh nice… yeah, I like the bold print “P”. looks tasty too
Monday, 22. June 2009 12:22
I’m afraid that I would have consumed this so quickly, I wouldn’t have noticed all those complex flavors you’ve described. However, thanks to your superior willpower, I will know what to ‘taste’ for if ever I were fortunate enough to get a hold of these chocolates!
Monday, 22. June 2009 12:23
A score of 8? I’m in! I was actually just looking at my chocolate stash and thinking it was looking too depleted. I’m ready to stock up on new brands…
Monday, 22. June 2009 15:04
I love the review. Did I miss where I can snatch these up? Yum!
Monday, 22. June 2009 15:06
Wow, this chocolate sounds amazing. What a great way to start a day – chocolate delivery.
Monday, 22. June 2009 17:14
I’m not much of a chocolate fan, but the descriptions of this is just TOO tempting! The flavors in there must be so luxurious and amazing.
Monday, 22. June 2009 17:35
Sophia: I think you might possibly be the only woman I know who doesn’t go crazy for chocolate.
Monday, 22. June 2009 21:15
Mmmm, that looks so rich and decadent. Dark chocolate is the best chocolate!
Monday, 22. June 2009 23:45
Wonderful, you finally got to the Patric! Was Alan kind enough to send you the 67%? It’s been my favorite chocolate since I first tasted it.
Tuesday, 23. June 2009 8:58
AJ: I did try the 67 percent. I can see why it’s your fave. Deep flavors, but not quite as bitter or acidic as the 70 percent.
Tuesday, 23. June 2009 21:11
Love your lip-smacking scale! I will have to add this one to the archive of “gotta try”!
Wednesday, 24. June 2009 5:31
I like chocolate but I don’t LOVE it either.
For $7, this chocolate better be good! Where can we get it?
Wednesday, 24. June 2009 8:36
Pam: You can buy the chocolate from the Patric Chocolate Web store. Just click on the hyperlink in my post. Orders over $40 get free shipping. I know that sounds like a lot of money, but if you pool your chocolate-loving friends together to split an order, it’s not so bad.