Comments on: Askinosie Chocolate: The “Del Tambo” Bar http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/ Thinking about artisan chocolate Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:42:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Steven http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-682 Steven Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:08:53 +0000 http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-682 Does anybody know where to find more info on their packaging? Does anybody know where to find more info on their packaging?

]]> By: tspyz http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-625 tspyz Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:14:26 +0000 http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-625 While $6 or $7.50 may seem like a lot for a chocolate bar (and there are many chocolate bars that are significantly more expensive.), keep in mind that artisan chocolate makers are operating in a very different world than a bulk candy maker. They are buying cacao beans that are anywhere from 4 to 20 times more expensive than the commodity beans that go into a cheaper bar. An artisan maker like Askinosie is also typically spending anywhere from a few months to a few years to develop and refine the formula for a bar, and using a labor intensive process to make it. Just as example, a bulk chocolate may have it's flavors developed in a "turbo conche" that takes about 4 hours. An artisan maker may be conching chocolate for upwards of 72 hours. It's a painstaking process, and once you've seen the work that goes into a bar like this, it seems like a huge bargain. While $6 or $7.50 may seem like a lot for a chocolate bar (and there are many chocolate bars that are significantly more expensive.), keep in mind that artisan chocolate makers are operating in a very different world than a bulk candy maker. They are buying cacao beans that are anywhere from 4 to 20 times more expensive than the commodity beans that go into a cheaper bar. An artisan maker like Askinosie is also typically spending anywhere from a few months to a few years to develop and refine the formula for a bar, and using a labor intensive process to make it. Just as example, a bulk chocolate may have it’s flavors developed in a “turbo conche” that takes about 4 hours. An artisan maker may be conching chocolate for upwards of 72 hours. It’s a painstaking process, and once you’ve seen the work that goes into a bar like this, it seems like a huge bargain.

]]> By: Roger Schulman http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-621 Roger Schulman Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:18:03 +0000 http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-621 I met the owner at a supermarket yesterday and tried his chocolate. I was very put off by all the hoopla he's surrounded his product with: lots of protestations about sharing with the farmers; elaborate yet "natural" wrapping, logos and lot numbers everywhere, etc. This is all good stuff, it's just an overabundance that screams, "You're a Baby Boomer with disposable income! I'm going to seduce you with information!" Nonetheless, to my untrained palate... This is some of the best chocolate I've ever tasted. I wonder if he's charging too much. In the store it was $6 for 3.5 ounces, which I thought was expensive. On another chocolate site, it can be had for $7.50! Am I wrong? Is this just too much for chocolate? Please visit my blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com I met the owner at a supermarket yesterday and tried his chocolate. I was very put off by all the hoopla he’s surrounded his product with: lots of protestations about sharing with the farmers; elaborate yet “natural” wrapping, logos and lot numbers everywhere, etc. This is all good stuff, it’s just an overabundance that screams, “You’re a Baby Boomer with disposable income! I’m going to seduce you with information!” Nonetheless, to my untrained palate… This is some of the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted. I wonder if he’s charging too much. In the store it was $6 for 3.5 ounces, which I thought was expensive. On another chocolate site, it can be had for $7.50! Am I wrong? Is this just too much for chocolate?

Please visit my blog at http://scriptwriting.blogspot.com

]]> By: Jessica "Su Good Eats" http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-204 Jessica "Su Good Eats" Mon, 10 Sep 2007 20:23:05 +0000 http://cacaolab.wordpress.com/2007/08/14/askinosie-chocolate-the-del-tambo-bar/#comment-204 I love his chocolate, but I wasn't able to pin down the exact flavors because it was so different. Thanks for sharing your tasting notes! I love his chocolate, but I wasn’t able to pin down the exact flavors because it was so different. Thanks for sharing your tasting notes!

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