Banana

Alluvia is an artisan chocolatier based in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The producer operates under the philosophy of showcasing the specific character of their local terroir, summarized by their motto, Taste Alluvia, Taste Vietnam. As a bean-to-bar maker, they maintain control over the entire production cycle, from the initial harvest in the Mekong Delta to the finished 80-gram bar.

The Banana bar is a dark chocolate creation enhanced with fruit inclusions. The process begins with a distinctive post-harvest protocol, where beans are fermented inside banana leaves for one week before undergoing a 10-day sun-drying period. After roasting, the ingredients, which include cocoa nibs, sugar, banana powder, and cocoa butter, are refined in a melanger. The resulting texture is achieved through careful tempering, yielding a flavor profile characterized by buttery banana and bright citrus notes.

Alluvia integrates its sourcing directly with its fermentation and drying practices to ensure consistent quality. By wrapping the cocoa beans in banana leaves during the critical fermentation stage, they influence the chemical development of the bean, which contributes to the final sensory identity of the bar. This vertical integration allows the maker to highlight the specific agricultural outputs of the Mekong Delta in their finished chocolate.