Product Description: Taza Chocolate describes its Stone-Ground Mexicano Cinnamon Chocolate as organic Dominican cacao ground using Oaxacan stone mills along with whole cinnamon sticks. The 2.7-oz. retail package is comprised of two discs, each scored into eight wedges, in a simple paper wrapper. It is certified USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Dairy & Soy Free, OU Kosher Pareve and Taza Chocolate Direct Trade Certified Cacao.
Ingredient List: 50% dark chocolate, organic roasted cacao beans, organic cane sugar and organic cinnamon.
Test Kitchen Overview: Taza sent us the wholesale/bulk version of this product to test, which is in the shape of rectangular chunks, as seen in the image above. The retail version, shown below, comes in a small disc shape. According to the manufacturer, they are the same, just in different shapes.
The chocolate is rich, fruity and acidic with tons of character. It is potent and makes you pay attention. Like all of Taza’s chocolates, it features a rough, rustic texture that, while very different from most chocolate, is exciting on our palates. The cinnamon is obvious, but neither too subtle nor too pronounced; it has great balance. Taza states that this is 50% cacao, but to us it tastes darker and richer. We would have said at least 55%.
Note that their discs come in other flavors as well, such as Salted Almond, Cacao Pure, Fire Puncher, Orange Cinnamon, Chipotle Chili, Coffee, Ginger, Guajillo Chili, Orange, Salt & Pepper and Vanilla. The cacao percentages vary per flavor and range from 40% to 70%.
The Pros: The retail packaging of the discs really stands out in a crowded field of specialty chocolates and is also minimal, which many consumers appreciate.
The Con: This is a pricey chocolate at almost $30/pound.
Suggested Uses: This chocolate is fabulous as a snack or to use chopped up in recipes such as our Browned Butter Chocolate Chunk & Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. It would be great in chocolate chip cookie dough as well. Taza suggests using it for a rich Mexican hot chocolate.
Where to Buy: Taza Chocolate is carried at many Whole Foods stores and can also be ordered directly from Taza. The site also offers a retail locator search function and sells its products at its factory store in Somerville, MA.
Price at Time of Review: $5 per disc.
Have you tried this product? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Images: Dédé Wilson
Bakepedia received this product as a gift for review. All opinions are the reviewer’s own.
No comments yet.