Chocolate Wanderlust or Wanderlust of the chocolatier, I wonder if Christopher Curtin of Eclat Chocolate hopped on a plane (or a boat) once he completed his Obsession chocolate collection, 6 cities, 6 bars from Aleppo (Syria) for the Aleppo Pepper & Pink Peppercorn bar to Tarragona (Spain) for Caramelized Hazelnuts bar.
The most logical order for his trip would have been to start in Philadelphia where he is based, the source of inspiration for Dutch Pretzels and make his last stop in Osaka which he credits as Wasabi Peas creative source.
I tasted 3 of the 6 bars including Aleppo and Wasabi Peas.
My favorite though was/is Toasted Corn linked to Cuzco (Peru). Corn on the cob is a summer pleasure. The crackling mouthfeel of Toasted Corn must be to blame for my choice besides the wholesome chocolate it is coated in. Wasabi Peas came second best.
Corn, as I learned recently in my Mitsitam Cafe Interview with Richard Hetzler has strong Native American roots on the Mayan and Aztec side which could explain the link to Cuzco.
I will have to try Caramelized Hazelnuts and Dutch Pretzels bars next.
Having a Cacao Travel Monday.