Kaithapara Vanam 70% Dark Chocolate Bar

Spice up your life with Kaithapara Vanam - an exclusive and exceptionally intense 70% dark chocolate that hails, rather incredibly, from centuries-old plantations in the state of Kerala in Southern India.

The single origin Indian cacao bean we have used for this luscious Limited Edition 70% dark chocolate has the name Kaithapara Vanam which takes on the unique environmental flavours from the gentle climate of the forest-dwelling community of Idukki. The harvests from this region of vast mountain forests carry great heritage, as the favourable climatic conditions attracted the British back in the 1700s to plant cacao here which led to this area becoming enriched with spices and the waterways of Kerala became some of the world’s busiest.

The vast majority of dark chocolate on the market today globally is made from a different type of cacao bean to this – a type that is easy to grow and harvest, and which, for this very reason, tends to carry poor flavour and the farming conditions employed are unacceptable.

At Harris & James, we are passionate about quality and sustainability and we do things very differently. All H&J cacao beans are ethically sourced ensuring that the partnerships we enjoy with the cacao farmers and co-operatives are more than fair trade. Our handcrafted, small batch bean to bar processes ensure that we can procure the very best quality organic beans, and from them, create an exceptional calibre of chocolate, very different to the rest.

Then to the Kaithapara Vanam chocolate bar itself - when the foil is pulled back and the glossy perfection snapped – the aromas that emanate will trigger notes of plum jam with balsamic undertones. Once in the mouth, the smooth buttery texture will delight along with a mysterious hint of biscuit. Its unique complexity of flavour allows good acidity and works in combination with the high 70% cacao percentage to ensure bitterness is kept at bay with its refined plummy sweetness. This dark chocolate sure partners well with a jammy red wine as an after-dinner treat.