Costa Esmeraldas 70%

Chokaico is an artisan maker based in Avon, Connecticut, dedicated to crafting chocolate with a focus on specific single estates. This 50 gram bar highlights the Costa Esmeraldas farm lot in the Muisne region of Ecuador, owned and managed by the Salazar family. By utilizing the heirloom Nacional variety, the maker emphasizes the historical and genetic legacy of Ecuadorian cacao in a small batch format.

The Costa Esmeraldas 70% bar offers a distinct character due to its stone ground refining method, which preserves a more tactile mouthfeel compared to heavy industrial conching. On the palate, the profile is defined by vibrant red fruit and delicate floral tones, rounded out by a subtle honey like sweetness. Remarkably, this bar contains zero grams of sugar, as it is sweetened with a blend of erythritol and monk fruit extract to let the natural complexity of the beans shine through.

Quality starts at the source where the beans undergo traditional box fermentation and are dried under the Ecuadorian sun. These Fair Trade certified Nacional beans are sourced directly from the single estate, ensuring transparency and quality control from the tree to the finished bar. The maker's approach combines these high quality agricultural practices with mindful sweetening alternatives for a modern take on specialty chocolate.