Name: Explorer Club #204: COFFEE
Brand: Milou Chocolate Co.
SKU: EX-COFFEE
Price: 35.2 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Explorer Club #204: COFFEE

Coffee, one of the world's most beloved beverages, has a rich history intertwined with culture and tradition. Originating from Ethiopia, coffee has played a significant role in various societies over centuries. It was in the Arabian Peninsula that coffee first became a popular drink, cultivated as a medicinal beverage by Sufi mystics and other religious groups. From the 17th century onwards, coffeehouses in Western Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean became social hubs, serving as artistic, political, and intellectual centres. The cultivation and trade of coffee have shaped economies and landscapes, as it is the world’s second most traded commodity behind oil. In many cultures, coffee is more than just a drink; it is an integral part of social rituals and daily routines, forming its own “culture”, from the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony to the Italian espresso culture. Coffee, like cocoa, offers diverse flavour profiles influenced by the terroir where it is grown, and is enjoyed equally by casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike.

$35.20

$39.11

Explorer Club #204: COFFEE

$35.20

$39.11

BAIANÍ BRAZILIAN COFFEE 70%

Producer Country: Brazil
Cocoa: Direct Source, Single Estate, Made at Origin
Weight: 58 g

'Exhibit A' in proving that what grows together, goes together! Both sets of beans (cacao and coffee) are sourced from Bahia, Brazil, with the latter coming from two of Latitude 13's farms situated in the high altitudes of Chapada Diamantina. The bar's profile is pleasantly mild, showing tasteful restraint and balance. Its buttery texture and relatively lighter weight, however, does not affect the fullness of its flavours; a credit to Juliana, the maker, who was able to tease out all the pleasant tasting notes of both coffee and dark chocolate while leaving out any excess acid, astringency, or bitterness. I don't think this could be made any better!

MAROU VIETNAMESE COFFEE MILK 44%

Producer Country: Vietnam
Cocoa: Direct Source, Made at Origin
Weight: 80 g

Ca Phe Sua, literally translated as "milk coffee," is a cultural staple across Vietnam, commonly enjoyed iced. This popular beverage is made by passing hot water through dark roast coffee grounds into a cup containing sweetened condensed milk. The practice originated in the nineteenth century when French colonists, unable to easily acquire fresh milk, turned to condensed milk as a substitute. Even today, fresh milk remains uncommon in traditional Vietnamese coffee shops, with condensed milk continuing to be the preferred choice. If you're already familiar with Ca Phe Sua, you know exactly what to expect: a harmonious blend of big sweetness and bold bitterness. For those who haven't experienced this distinctly Vietnamese coffee, imagine the rich flavour of whipped cream and hazelnut toppings added to a robustly milked coffee. This bar, reminiscent of Jamoca® Almond Fudge ice cream, offers a similarly delightful and indulgent treat.

STANDOUT GESHA SPECIALTY COFFEE 70%

Producer Country: Sweden
Cocoa: Direct Source, Organic
Weight: 50 g

Sweden's high per capita coffee consumption and vibrant specialty coffee scene inspired the creation of this bar. Standout combined the roasty yet fruity cacao from Öko Caribe in the Dominican Republic with a washed Gesha from Hugo Mariño in the Cusco region of Peru. These ingredients are roasted in Sweden by local roaster Johan & Nyström. The result is a strikingly bright flavour profile that showcases floral and fruity notes, alongside the tasteful tannins of the cocoa. There is no bitterness, astringency, or harsh acid from either the coffee or cocoa. This chocolate is balanced, beautiful, and immensely flavourful.