While waiting in line for the NWCF in October, I talked with fellow chocolate enthusiasts. Among other things, I asked a few veteran festival goers, “Which booths do I absolutely need to hit?” Many said, “Mestico!” Let me introduce you to Mestico Chocolates. Mestico was founded in 2017 by Rogério Kamei and his wife, Claudia, in Bahia, Brazil. Their cacao farm, Bonança Farm, is located within the municipality of Itacaré, where the Rio de Contas meets the ocean. The area is known for its stunning beaches and amazing surf culture. Rogerio is a third-generation cacao farmer and former mechanical engineer, who established the brand to add value to his family’s cacao farm. His goal was to create a stable income amid fluctuating cacao prices and promote sustainable farming practices. Mestico was one of the first companies to use its own cocoa butter in its chocolate bars. Most bean to bar brands buy deodorized cocoa butter that was produced from ordinary cacao by other manufacturers. Mestico Chocolates has won 28 awards through the International Chocolate Awards, Academy of Chocolate Awards, and Bean to Bar Brazil Award.
Now let me introduce you to Mestico’s Hidromel 77% Intense Dark chocolate bar. As mentioned, the cacao is single origin from Bonanca Farm in Brazil. Besides using their own pressed cocoa butter, they also use a honey-infusing fermentation process for the cacao. The process begins with fresh cacao fruits, which are opened and combined with water and honey in a fermentation tank. The beans undergo a two-month fermentation in the honey and water solution. Then the cacao continues with the regular process of being dried, roasted, and processed into chocolate.
Sight: dark brown with shiny surface; clean, sharp molding; outer packaging attractive, but the inside is wonderfully informative
Sound: good snap with break
Smell: moderate intensity, chocolatey
Mouth feel: creamy and smooth, soft melt
Taste: an initial deep cocoa flavor with a secondary note that’s tangy like yogurt along with a light flora honey flavor
Astringency: none
Summary: This is a deliciously complicated bar–chocolate paired with a delicately floral mead flavor. I’m trying to figure a way to get more without flying to WA state for the next NWCF. Darn it, I might just have to go back to the NWCF next year.