Askinosie – Davao, Philippines 58% Dark with Orange

Description

TASTING NOTES

This 58% dark bar is made by blending organic oranges – including the peel and pulp – with a dash of orange oil and organic vanilla bean. What’s produced is a fantastically authentic orange flavour and a nice softening touch of vanilla.

ABOUT THE MAKER

Chocolate maker Shawn Askinosie spent 20 years as a criminal defence lawyer before switching his attention to chocolate in 2005. He travelled across four continents to build relationships with farmers and figure out how they could work together to create the perfect chocolate. Now, he and his team place great emphasis on social responsibility: putting fairness, justice, sustainability, and education at the heart of everything they do.

THE BEANS

Shawn first visited Davao in 2008 to find a new bean origin during a worldwide chocolate shortage. Just when Shawn thought he would leave empty handed, he was introduced to one of the region’s premier cocoa bean farmers, Peter Cruz. Shawn found Cruz and the farmers with whom he collaborated had a dedication to excellence that produced consistent, premium quality cocoa beans in this exotic region. Read more about Askinosie’s relationship with Cruz’s cooperative here.