Name: Explorer Club #207: SOUTHEAST ASIA
Brand: Milou Chocolate Co.
SKU: EX-SEASIA
Price: 37.66 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Explorer Club #207: SOUTHEAST ASIA

This offering features cocoa grown in three neighbouring Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Each country is culturally distinct with its own unique language, rich history, and traditions. Vietnam's cultural tapestry is heavily influenced by its history of Chinese and French colonialism, Thailand is known for its unique Theravada Buddhist traditions and ornate temples, while Malaysia's multicultural society blends Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. However, the region as a whole shares mountainous highlands, fertile river deltas, and extensive coastlines. They each experience a tropical climate that supports lush vegetation and vibrant agriculture. Their culinary heritage overlaps with a preference for fresh, local ingredients, aromatic herbs and spices, and dishes that balance sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours. We wanted to feature Southeast Asia because of the uniqueness of its terroirs and the exciting growth of young bean-to-bar producers creating exceptional made-at-origin bars with local cocoa.

$37.66

$41.84

Explorer Club #207: SOUTHEAST ASIA

$37.66

$41.84

BELVIE BLACK PEARL OF THE MEKONG 85%

Producer Country: Vietnam
Cocoa: Vietnam
Weight: 80 g

Crafted from beans of a single variety and plantation, this limited-production bar is aptly named the "Black Pearl" for its extraordinary nature. The texture is sublime, offering a firm bite that slowly melts to satisfaction. Despite its dark composition (85% cocoa), it surprises with a bright and lively acidity, complemented by a hint of earthy porcini. Rich and decadent notes of fudge, espresso, and chocolate liqueur complete this exceptional tasting experience.

KAD KOKOA CHIANG MAI 70%

Producer Country: Thailand
Cocoa: Thailand
Weight: 55 g

This bar is made with organic sugar and organic cacao beans from a farm belonging to the makers. It's located in Pa Pae, a village in the unbelievably beautiful Mae Tang district in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Although grown in Thailand's north, this bar still exhibits the coconut-like undertones and texture of its southern siblings, albeit with more acidity, earthiness, and tarter fruit profile more similar to plums. It's a very well-balanced flavour profile and solid all-around offering. Interestingly, the pattern on the packaging is inspired by Tung, a hanging flag that symbolizes faith and optimism. It originated in Lan Na, a former northern kingdom of the country that was ruled from Chiang Mai.

FOSSA SEMAI COMMUNITY MALAYSIA 72%

Producer Country: Singapore
Cocoa: Malaysia
Weight: 50 g

This bar is made from the November 2020 harvest of the Semai Orang Asli community of Kampung Long B in Pahang, Malaysia. Their cocoa is grown pesticide-free in a holistic agroforestry method that preserves surrounding biodiversity. The beans are fermented in used whisky oak barrels for 6 days with 3 turns in between. They are then dried on raised wooden beds in an enclosed greenhouse. The resulting bar has the composure, confident modesty, and strength of character of a wise old man. At once delicate yet firm, it offers an array of flavours that include gianduja, port, dates, pistachio, and coffee.