Stumbled across this chocolate randomly when looking for a similarly named product. Since I've been tasting spicy chocolates back to back, figured it was time for something a bit more pleasant. Also, they're running a promotion offering a free bar if one signs up for an email newsletter. (Free is the second best flavor.)
Story:
Chuao Chocolatier is another of these trendy chocolate makers mixing in unusual flavors and textures. Founded in 2002, the company claims to be one of the first to experiment with blending exotic flavors. Their party piece is a chocolate bar with what're essentially pop-rocks blended in (the Firecracker bar). While tempting, the Honeycomb dark chocolate bar seemed like a lower risk.
Price:
The 2.6 ounce bar sells for $6, for an effective price of about $2.30 per ounce. While this isn't especially expensive, it should be noted they charged more than $5 for shipping (probably as an incentive to buy more at a time). Inclusive of shipping, the price catapults to $4.42 an ounce.
Packaging:
This is the most eye-catching packaging I've reviewed so far. The gold colored glint of the wrapper edges and the box with the company name is certainly visually appealing. I'm of two minds about this wrapper, though. Since it lacks a sleeve or other packaging outside the foil wrapper, the material is thicker and has a rougher feel than the foil wrapping other bars (such as the interior wrapper of the Wild Ophelia bar). It feels disappointingly cheap on a $6 chocolate bar.
Taste:
Sweetness: (4.5)
As it's filled with solid chunks of honey, this bar is on the sweeter side. The dark chocolate mostly balances out the honey by not providing much sweetness on its own. I can't honestly bring myself to start messing with quarter points, but maybe this is more like a 4.25. It really is almost just right.
Complexity: (4)
The Honeycomb bar really shines when it comes to its flavor profile. With a practically symbiotic relationship between dark chocolate and sweet honey, it offers a distinct transition between flavors with both being perceptible throughout the experience. The chocolate portion itself isn't extravagantly good, but this is a sensible compromise as the flavor needs to be robust enough to complement the sweetness,
Texture: (3)
Conversely, this chocolate's biggest flaw is the texture, which can be graciously described as crunchy and slightly gritty. The chocolate doesn't melt in the mouth very easily. I'd rate this parameter even lower, but it's again a reasonable approach given the flavor profile they're after. Still not the most appealing.
Finish: (3.5)
Would I prefer to taste a bit more chocolate after finishing a piece? Sure, probably. However I can't say I'm dissatisfied with a faint, pleasant memory of honey on the palate with just a ghost of cocoa.
Conclusion:
Recommended. This was a good chocolate to eat on its own, and robust enough to consume with coffee or another powerfully flavored food or beverage. Is it the apex of chocolate flavor? Certainly not. But it is a pleasant riff on two very good flavors presented in either harmony or counterpoint.
