Creo virtual tasting package
This month I participated in my first virtual chocolate tasting hosted by food writer and chocolate expert, Megan Giller, highlighting the creations of Portland, Oregon based company Creo Chocolate. Janet and Kevin Straub of Creo were present and provided background on their company and fun facts and stories about their products. It gave me an opportunity to learn more about what makes Creo’s products so unique.
Here are a few fascinating tidbits:
They use Heirloom Ecuador Cacao Hacienda Limón Farm beans from the province of Los Ríos.
They pre-dry their beans before fermentation.
They do a medium roast on their beans. (This is what gives their chocolate what I consider a smooth and delicate character.)
Janet designed the chocolate bar packaging to allow the consumer to put the chocolate back in the sleeve so it can be easily transported.
Janet likes sharing chocolate. For this reason they designed the chocolate bar mold so the bar could be broken up into small shareable squares.
They try to use all parts of the bean and even press their own cocoa butter that is used in their chocolate and skin care products (lip balm, body cream).
The week before the scheduled event I received a box with four of Creo’s bars: Purely Dark 73%, Spicy Dark 73%, Caramelized Milk 51%, Caramelized White. Here are a few notes on each of them.
Creo Purely Dark 73%
The Purely Dark 73% is medium brown in color. Upon opening the plastic packaging a sweet scent was emitted that was complimented by the sweet, buttery, and creamy flavor accented by a light touch of nuttiness.
Creo Spicy Dark 73%
The Spicy Dark 73% has a slightly reddish brown color. It is made with ancho chili for spiciness and Creo’s blend of spices. I can’t say that I tasted much of the ancho chili, but then again, I do like pretty spicy food. I did taste a variety of flavoring spices. In fact, it reminded me of the flavors I enjoy that are associated with the winter season, such as gingerbread, cardamon, and cinnamon. Now you can enjoy the taste of Christmas any time of the year.
Creo Caramelized Milk
The Caramelized Milk 51% is light brown in color and is creamy and buttery. Janet shared that while most milk chocolates have up to 30% chocolate, Creo’s has 51%. Since their chocolate is light and smooth, it is a good introduction to dark chocolate for those who typically do not like dark chocolate. What also makes this bar unique is that it is made with organic milk powder from Humbolt County, Eureka, CA, which Kevin said is some of the best milk found on the West Coast.
Creo Caramelized White
The Caramelized White has a lovely light caramel color and a little spicy vanilla scent. It is made with 38% of Creo’s own pressed cocoa butter and is a mouthful of caramelized creaminess.
This chocolate tasting pushed me beyond my comfort zone, as I normally would not select these bars. I am grateful for this opportunity as I got to learn more about the Straub family’s passion for all aspects of chocolate while tasting firsthand what makes Creo’s products unique.
Check out all the wonderfully unique creations that Creo has to offer by going to their website: creochocolate.com