From Maglio Arte Dolciaria in Italy, this bar comes in a square cardboard box that tapers slightly on the bottom. The bar itself is a 50 gram square of deep matte brown with a hint of yellow. Unwrapping the bar, I smell toasted flour, not unlike loaves of flour-dusted ciabatta as they’re pulled from the hot oven. Taking a bit in the mouth, it’s slightly but not unpleasantly gritty and melts slowly; this bar is higher in cacao solids than in cocoa butter. Not much flavor at first, then a clear ringing of fresh pineapple. Take a full square: the chocolate isn’t fluid, but moves quickly to the roof and back of the mouth. Not much pineapple now; perhaps golden raisins. If this chocolate were an instrument, it would be a cello–drawn-out lower tones. The finish is long, leaving a slightly tart aftertaste in the back of the throat and the cheeks.
Rating: If I came across the Maglio Tingo Maria, I’d eat it again.
Notes from my Tasting Team:
DK: Smokey, but not much flavor. I suddenly get sweet cherries and earthiness. Then it just leaves.
CQ: I don’t taste anything. [Tasting more] I agree with cherries. I like this one.