Explorer Club #308: VIETNAM

If you’ve ever been to Vietnam, you already know: this country overwhelms in the best possible way. Sidewalk grills sizzle under low hanging wires. Bikes whiz by in impossible formations. Markets overflow with colour, and noodle shops with noise. Once a colonial experiment, cacao nearly disappeared in Vietnam through war, economic collapse, and decades of disinterest. But recently it’s come back—not as a commodity crop, but as something local makers and small farmers are shaping into their own. Each region now produces beans with a distinct fingerprint, and this box features three of them.

$36.00

$40.00

Explorer Club #308: VIETNAM

$36.00

$40.00

Belvie Ben Tre 70%

Producer Country: Vietnam
Cocoa: Vietnam
Weight: 80 g

The cocoa in this single origin bar is interplanted with coconut trees, which is perhaps why so many tasters point out a coconut flavour. You'll also notice a pronounced acidity and subtle herbal notes reminiscent of rosemary. Hints of hazelnut spread, molasses, and nutmeg add depth, leading to a mildly sweet and slow-melting finish that is truly delightful.

Marou Ba Ria 76%

Producer Country: Vietnam
Cocoa: Vietnam
Weight: 80 g

This bar is crafted from Trinitario cacao sourced directly from family-owned farms in Ba Ria, a province in the southeast of Vietnam known for its stunning beaches. The cocoa's floral aroma, complemented by hints of roast coffee, makes an immediate impression. The firm texture and rich flavour profile coat the palate with notes of crepe, fudge, and citrus. An intricate and delightful offering from this reliable producer.

Foundry Ea Kar Dak Lak Vietnam 70%

Producer Country: New Zealand
Cocoa: Vietnam
Weight: 70 g

Ea Kar is an agricultural cooperative founded in 2012 by 51 families. Located in the district of the same name in Vietnam's Central Highlands, it is part of a series of connected high plateaus near the borders of southern Laos and northeastern Cambodia. The plateaus are encircled by tall mountain ranges and feature numerous waterfalls and lakes. The local farms are typically small and family-owned, cultivating diverse crops such as coffee, cacao, pepper, mulberry, and tea. This cocoa's flavour lies firmly within the earthy profile, offering a myriad of nutty (praline, walnut) and woody (birch, cinnamon) notes. These are beautifully balanced in the bar by a turbinado or molasses-like sweetness. A very refined bar.