9th & Larkin – Matasawalevu, Fiji, Dark 74%

About the bar

This dark 74% bar from 9th & Larkin begins with a sweet creamy profile. We think that the bar has rich, nutty undertones (very characteristic of Fijian beans) alongside subtle hints of mushroom. The flavours gradually lead into a strong lingering astringency in the finish, creating a balanced and complex flavour wave.

About the maker

Lan and Brian, the founders of 9th & Larkin, come from non-food backgrounds – Lan was an analyst and Brian an engineer – but both share a deep love for good food and handcrafted products. Their journey into chocolate making began as an adventurous kitchen experiment at home, driven by their passion for cooking. In 2017, they officially launched 9th & Larkin, with Lan leaving her job to become a full-time chocolate maker. The name “9th & Larkin” holds personal significance for the pair, as it represents the two streets in San Francisco where they spent a lot of their time together during their early relationship. 9th & Larkin’s mission is to create high-quality chocolate that feels like a personal gift, bringing joy to those who buy them.

The beans

Cacao was brought over from Ceylon to Fiji by the British around the late 19th century. These cacao pods and beans were of mixed genetics. Slowly more hybrids were being introduced by the World Bank’s cacao funding project. Today the majority of the cacao cultivated in Fiji is Amelonado.

9th & Larkin sources its Fijian beans from Cacao Fiji, founded in 2014 by Arif Khan as part of a project to revitalise Fiji’s cacao industry. Inspired by a chocolate bar made from Fijian beans and the struggles of local farmers to find markets, Arif, a native Fijian, returned to his homeland to help revive cocoa farming. Cacao Fiji operates the Matasawalevu Cocoa Farm on 100 acres in Dreketi, Vanua Levu Island, where traditional post-harvest techniques are used to produce high-quality beans. The farm works with a network of farmers across Fiji to emphasise quality and is at the forefront of the country’s cacao resurgence.

Allergens*

May contain milk, may contain nuts

Ingredients

72% cacao beans, 26% sugar, 2% cocoa butter

*Allergen advice: We directly import, and purchase, all products from independent makers and have these shipped by our partner warehouse (which is not certified allergen-free), and so we cannot guarantee that any product will be allergen-free. Even where an allergen is not listed, products may have been produced, shipped, or stored in facilities which handle allergens.

If you would like further information about a specific product, please contact us on [email protected] or contact the maker directly.