Randomly on the subject of hipster small batch, bean to bar chocolate. I saw these and decided to try them.

Randomly on the subject of hipster small batch, bean to bar chocolate. I saw these and decided to try them.

The Nathan Miller one tastes like what it says it is. The label says "Hispaniola Cacao". That could be from either Dominican Republic or Haiti and it doesn't say. It does say 70%. It also says Aleppo chili. If it's the real deal, it's really going to have to be from Turkey, right now, although I was under the impression since it's grown in a region that overlaps the border that even that capacity was being affected. The streusel is definitely there as tiny, slightly crunchy, slightly sweet bits, of which I approve. Anyway, it's tasty and I'd eat it. It also gets points for the mulberry paper style wrapping, which is all silky feeling.

Sadly the Raaka didn't taste like lapsang souchong tea or chai spices. I can easily explain the lack of spice flavor as the only spices listed are black cardamom, coriander, and marshmallow root. I have no idea what flavor marshmallow root is supposed to have, but I imagine it's not terribly intense. As for the cardamom and coriander, they clearly weren't enough to overcome the really strong flavors and aromas of the chocolate itself. Which is a complex fruity aromatic chocolate with a lot going on.

You can kind of imagine you are tasting generic black tea, but lapsang souchong tastes like you are eating a campfire, which I happen to like. This chocolate bar has never seen a campfire; it's never met anyone who's seen a campfire, nevermind bathed in the smoke. Basically, if you didn't tell people there was supposed to be something in the chocolate, they'd never know. Boo, two thumbs down. (The chocolate itself is cromulent if you like that kind of chocolate flavor.) I'd say this one actually has more visually appealing packaging, but that just makes it sadder when it doesn't fulfill your tasting expectations.

#pointlessness