Day 4: Zotter Chocolate 'Challenge'; Panama or Belize cacao, Madagascar or Colombia?

Today we are continuing this week's theme of 'A Zotter a Day' with two Zotter products instead of one. I have decided to cover both because they are a part of a 'challenge' Zotter has put to its customers to try to identify different origin chocolates without labelling them directly.

Depending on the cacao used to make the chocolate,
each chocolate will have its own unique 'shade'.
This is one hint in Zotter's Challenge chocolate bars.

This cool line of chocolates by Zotter is in its Labooko collection of bars: the Contests. These are two-packs of chocolate bars, made from two different 'flavours' of chocolate. For instance, the Madagascar 75% versus the Columbia 75% pack offers one bar made from Madagascar origin cocoa beans and one bar from Columbia-origin cocoa beans, each with 75% cocoa solids for a good comparison of the natural origin flavours. The catch in these tasting 'contest' packs is that Zotter does not reveal to customers which bar is which. The package simply contains two chocolate bars, one on the right side and one on the left, unlabelled. And there is no secret answer anywhere on the package, nor on the Zotter website. Yikes, right? So let's take a closer look at some of the packs to see if we can 'win' the contest through taste.

Madagascar versus Colombia 75% dark chocolate challenge

Madagascar 75% vs Colombia 75% 'contest' chocolate bar set - for those who are not familiar with the taste of most Madagascar origin chocolate, this might be a difficult challenge. But if you've been around the chocolate block a few times, you'll instantly recognize it. If not from the lighter and slightly reddish colour, then from the fruitier and acidic taste.

The Colombia chocolate bar, which I am sure was on the right side of my package, was darker in colour (although not extremely dark). It offered deep roast flavours, earthy and some spice, with just a touch of fruit on the finish.  The aroma was sweet vanilla and spice.

This was an excellent pairing of chocolate origins. They were different enough to highlight the affects of origin on chocolate flavour.

You can also purchase just the Madagascar chocolate bar online here. And the Colombia 75% chocolate bar can be purchased on it's own as well here.

Panama Versus Belize 72% dark chocolate challenge


The Panama & Belize 'contest' is a bit more difficult. I actually wondered if the same two chocolate bars had been put in the package by mistake. https://www.zotterusa.com/labooko-pure-chocolate/301-contest-belize-72-panama-72.html

The one tucked into the left side of the package was very delicate, it is creamy and also has the taste of cream, perhaps fruity with some orange blossom, citrus and something I can't quite articulate.

The right-side bar has a roast taste, a little richer or more bitter in cocoa flavour, some fruitiness, and a little spice and definitely some floral flavours.

I had hoped the Zotter website would tell us some flavour notes on each chocolate, but it did not give away any secrets. This drove me a little bit crazy. I think the intention is to have the customer also buy each flavour in its individual packages, such as the Belize 72% (find it by clicking here). However, the Panama only comes in a milk chocolate so you won't be able to compare there, but if you can purchase the Belize and get that figured out, it may be an easy solution.

Since I didn't purchase the Belize bar on its own, I will have to keep guessing for now.

If you are interested in tasting packs like these, but want to know which bar is which, try Sirene Chocolate's duo packs. The Madagascar vs Ecuador really highlights the difference between two origin chocolates, much like Zotter's Madagascar & Colombia package.

I haven't decided which Zotter to feature tomorrow, on the final day of this 'A Zotter a Day' theme week, but I will after some more extensive tasting :-). Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Read the rest of the week....
Day 1: Zotter's Labooko Sheep's Milk Chocolate - great for people who are avoiding cow's milk
Day 2: Zotter's Mitzi Blue 'Dark Secrets' disc - perfect for gifting to a dark chocolate lover
Day 3: Zotter's Labooko Bolivia 90% - a great chocolate for vegans, Paleo diet followers and anyone who loves very bitter chocolate
Day 4: The Zotter Chocolate Challenge packs, Madagascar versus Colombia origin chocolate & Belize versus Panama origin chocolate