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August 13, 2015
EAT | Brooklyn's "Bean-to-Bar" Chocolate Makes Its Japanese Debut
EAT | World's Rarest Bean-to-Bar Chocolate, Now in Japan
Brooklyn's Cacao Prieto Makes its Japan Debut
From Brooklyn, New York, comes CACAO PRIETO, a brand of chocolate that is exceptionally rare worldwide for its complete vertical integration, from cacao cultivation to finished product. Now making its Japan debut, the brand offers a diverse range of uniquely styled chocolate bars.
Text by KUROMIYA Yuzu
Pouring All Passion into Chocolate, Produced 100% In-House
Cacao Prieto was founded in 2008 by Daniel Prieto Preston, who has a unique background as an aerospace engineer. All of its chocolate is crafted from organic cacao beans harvested at the Corallina farm, owned by the Prieto family for over 100 years in the Dominican Republic, and organic cane sugar.
The product line features two series: "Fleur & Nut Bark" and "Criollo Bar Line."
The "Fleur & Nut Bark" series comprises five types of tablets. These are rich, single-origin dark chocolates made exclusively with cacao beans from their own farm, enhanced with a variety of nuts and fruits.
The lineup includes "Almond Salt," meticulously roasted with small batches of almonds from the esteemed Sahadi family; "Pecan Sour Cherry," a delightful combination of tart sour cherries and sweet pecans; "Pistachio & Apricot," which pairs well with spirits; "Hazelnut & Raisin," popular for its marriage of special raisins and chocolate; and "Cashew & Cranberry," where the tartness of cranberries enhances the rich cacao.
Each bar comes with a unique postcard illustrated by a Brooklyn artist, with different designs for each flavor – a detail not to be missed.
The "Criollo Bar Line" uses organic Criollo cacao beans from their own farm, with roots tracing back to the time of Columbus. This series offers seven distinct flavors, including 72% single-origin dark chocolate boldly topped with coffee and Spanish sea salt, and bars infused with vanilla and cassia, each providing a deep and unique taste experience.
The beautifully designed packaging makes them an ideal gift for loved ones. Recently, factory tours, where visitors can learn about the chocolate-making process, have also become popular, especially among local children.
Fleur & Nut Bark
Types | 5 varieties (Almond Salt, Pecan Sour Cherry, Pistachio & Apricot, Hazelnut & Raisin, Cashew & Cranberry)
Price | ¥1,700
Criollo Bar Line
Types | 7 varieties (Dominican Coffee & Sea Salt, Vanilla & Cassia, Mandarin & Bergamot, 72% Single Origin Criollo Bar, Absinthe, Orchid Criollo Bar, Dominican Spiced)
Price | ¥1,500
Cacao Prieto
http://www.krongthip.co.jp/brand_cacao.html