To’ak Signature – Rain Harvest 100% cacao

To’ak is renowned. They’re known for making the most expensive chocolate in the world. The beauty of it is that they don’t rely on chocolates with gold glitter or other embellishments. Although, of course, with that very, very expensive version, you do get a wooden box made of very specific and beautiful wood, tweezers, and other extras.

We don’t really need all that, and we’re happy that To’ak is now also releasing this identical chocolate in the ‘Signature’ series. Still incredibly expensive, and beautifully packaged. But—for what it is—affordable. After all, it’s special Nacional cacao from their own cocoa plantation—tree to bar, as they say. And yes, you can find other brands in our range that are also delicious. But we personally think To’ak is a wonderful chocolate company that, through its work, beautifully poses the question, “What is a fair price for chocolate?” To ask the question is to answer it: average chocolate is too cheap. That is to say, chocolate companies are making billions in profits, but they’ve been doing so for years with far too little respect for people and the environment (you’re probably familiar with the excesses from the news by now), and the chocolate is so cheap mainly because it’s not about the cocoa… The cocoa is ‘bulk cocoa’ of often poor quality, disguised by excessive roasting and the addition of copious amounts of sugar and other additives.

Now, the chocolates we sell already do things differently. It’s chocolate that is about the cocoa, where you taste the diversity, the origin of the cocoa. And where a fair price is paid for good cocoa. And proper consideration is given to the environment. And yes, that’s what you pay for. We do everything we can to keep prices low. We certainly don’t need to get rich from it ourselves (and we won’t), but we do believe it’s very fair that you pay for quality, and that chocolate makers pay the cocoa farmer a fair price. It’s desperately needed. Another factor is that cocoa comes in all sorts of varieties, each with its own flavor profile and characteristics. While large-scale industry focuses solely on monoculture (with far-reaching consequences for the environment), we believe it’s crucial that the natural diversity of cocoa is preserved and that cocoa isn’t simply grown on otherwise barren plantations, but among other trees in a more natural system.

Whole story, now about this chocolate!

To’ak makes, and we think that’s really cool, specific chocolates for each harvest year. So, in this chocolate, you can taste the 2022 harvest. There are two harvests per year; this is the ‘rain harvest.’ We find the chocolate from the previous year significantly inferior (and we don’t sell it either). This 201st harvest—as To’ak also points out—produces a beautifully balanced flavor. It’s wonderful to see the influence of the weather this way, and to be able to taste the chocolates side by side—which is possible in the mini tasting set, also available.

From the makers:

After many dry and dark months—with the least sunlight we’ve ever tracked in Piedra de Plata—the rains finally came at harvest time, producing a cacao that’s decidedly tropical. A medium roast and short conching time helped cut any bitterness, bringing out bright, slightly sweet notes of ripe banana and green tea.

Medium roast, unconched – heirloom Nacional cacao – Piedra de Plata. Fermented for 4 days.

Tasting notes from the makers:

Flavor notes: ripe banana, woody, nutty, berry

Ingredients: cacao 100% cane sugar.

Pairing suggestions from the maker: