Additional information
| Bar Size | 25g, 50g, 100g |
|---|
Madagascar 72% Sambirano Valley
£2.50 – £4.00
2* Great Taste 2020 Award-Winning and Bronze Academy of Chocolate 2019 Award-Winning. Used by Michelin Star chef Alex Bond at Alchemilla Restaurant, Nottingham.
Here’s what the Guild of Fine Food judging panel had to say: “The citrus notes are bright and tangy and the hint of raspberry adds further complexity. The fruitiness lingers on the palate. It is deceptively simple, delicious and layered.” “Fruity fresh aroma. Excellent creamy mouthfeel and good melt with the flavour profile releasing great balance with fruity, rich chocolate notes to the fore.”
Ingredients: cacao, cocoa butter, unrefined sugar
Made in an environment that handles nuts.
Vegan, dairy-free, refined sugar free, gluten free, soy free, no artificial flavourings & additives, emulsifier free, sulphite free.
1 review for Madagascar 72% Sambirano Valley
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Jack Benjamin
12:50 23 Apr 20
I've been popping into Luisa's little shop down in Sneinton Market for the last months. Every experience has been great - the chocolate is fantastic and Luisa is always helpful and making recommendations about her new bars. I have to stress that it's not just the chocolate that is great but also the ethics behind the project - it's directly sourced and made in the shop. So the farmers are being paid properly for their work and we get a high quality product.
Forby801 .
16:23 13 Mar 20
I have nothing but good things to share about Luisa's chocolates. Luisa herself is a huge inspiration, just from talking to her and seeing her interact with her customers, you can see just how incredibly passionate she is.
And then there's the chocolates... Oh my... Do yourself a favour and try them! They're AMAZING. These are now my first choice when it comes to chocolates, and there's chocolates to suit everyone. I can't even begin to describe the flavours, and not only that, but the smell of chocolate as you walk in the door is worth a trip in and of itself.
It's easy to locate, and the story behind how it's made - again, well worth a trip down there.
Thanks Luisa, you're a super star and I can't wait to come and get more!!!
Keith Parkins
01:22 08 Mar 20
Bean to bar chocolate maker.
Quality chocolate. not industrial chocolate out of a factory.
It is not every day I visit a bean-to-bar chocolate maker, craft beer brewery and a coffee roastery all in one day.
I was on my way to Sneinton Market, an area of Nottingham I had not visited before, to find Blend, a coffee shop.
Sneinton Market fairly easy to find, head off straight down the street from Wired. The further I walked down the street the seedier it became.
Google Maps says five minutes, more like ten minutes. Though I did pop in Bookwise on the way. Never miss up the opportunity to look in a second hand bookshop.
And that was how I happened upon Luisa’s bean-to-bar craft chocolate, the jewel in the crown of Sneinton Market.
I popped in, but at a delicate process. I am asked can I pop back? No problem. I am off to Blend coffee shop, I will return a little later.
Sneinton Market is three rows of long low outbuildings. I have a wander around. Look in a craft beer brewery, a coffee roastery, a coffee shop.
It was then back to Luisa’s. An interesting conversation on chocolate ensued.
I had tasted samples earlier. Another taste. Each one better than before. In essence it is wow. Mind blowing chocolate. I have never before tasted such exquisite chocolate, though I have yet to try Bullion or Bare Bones from Steam Yard. One fruity, maybe cherry like, another more citrus. Mind blowing flavours. The last one I tried, as I hold it in my mouth, the flavour intensifies.
These are not added flavours, these are the intrinsic flavours of the chocolate, what chocolate should taste like, not like Cadbury’s.
A coffee analogy, coffee does not taste like the vile tasting undrinkable coffee served in Costa or Starbuck’s.
Specialty coffee has more flavour notes than red wine, chocolate more flavour notes than specialty coffee.
Why is the chocolate expensive? Why is red wine more expensive than plonk?
Why does specialty coffee attract a higher price than catering supply commodity coffee?
We pay for quality. Wine from a vineyard, a chateau, a year, attracts a higher price than wine in a carton, the vineyard or chateau on the label.
The terroir affects what grows, what we drink, what we eat.
Commodity coffee, commodity chocolate, is quite literally that, a commodity, the price determined on commodity markets.
Fair Trade attracts a tiny premium, barely worth the effort, a marketing scam to make smug Middle Class shoppers feel good, but maintains farmers in poverty as there is no incentive for them to improve.
Direct trade, coffee roasteries are prepared to pay a premium for quality, they work in partnership with the growers to help improve quality.
The same is now happening in chocolate, single origin, direct trade, relationships with the farmers and growers.
Bean-to bar starts at the farm.
Chocolate is rooted in the terroir, bean-to-bar chocolate makers have their fingers figuratively if not literally in the soil.
Luisa Vicinanza-Bedi has her fingers in the soil, she works in partnership with three female cacao farmers in Colombia.
She is also working in partnership with Future Food at University of Nottingham to analyse the microbes that form part of the fermentation of cacao beans to better understand how the flavours are produced.
Chocolate
- cocoa mass — sugar — vanilla
- cocoa mass — cocoa butter — sugar — vanilla
The purists will not allow vanilla, others say ok if enhances the quality of the chocolate. A moot point.
Always check the list of ingredients.
Quality chocolate will be bean-to-bar. Anything that is not bean-to-bar paying a lot of money for someone to buy in chocolate and turn into bars.
Chocolate, high quality single origin bean-to bar chocolate has many subtle flavours, no quality chocolate maker would dream of adding additives. This would be akin to adding syrups to a good coffee.
And never be taken in by a black Great Taste award. It gets plastered on everything. It is absolutely no guarantee of quality. It may be on a quality product, but as likely not.
urvija srivastava
21:22 07 Feb 20
Visited during Light Day and didn't have a great experience to be honest. My friend and I received very ugly looks by some of the customers who kept staring at us so I announced I was going to stand outside the shop and wait instead but none of the staff members cared. Also, all customers that came after us were served hot chocolate (very watery anyway) before us. Very unfortunate that this lovely place gave us a very uncomfortable experience!
Karen McLeod
21:01 03 Feb 20
Until I tried Luisa’s chocolates, I didn’t realise there was such a variety of different cocoa beans, each with their own unique flavours. Luisa sources quality beans, from around the world to create extraordinary chocolates. I compare her delicious chocolates to wine due to bursts of notes and flavours - I’m quite partial to the deep plum and zesty bars (the natural flavour of the cocoa).
There’s a bar to suit everyone even if you’re not a dark chocolate fan; because this amazing Chocolate Maker has magically created uncompromising, yummy and creamy tastes without using dairy. Luisa’s shop is a real hot spot for quality chocolates!
Beth Woodhouse
15:38 22 Jan 20
Excellent friendly service, very knowledgeable about the impact of cocoa bean sourcing AND the importance of sustainability! BUT most importantly GREAT VEGAN chocolate (especially CASHOLATE!)
Beth and Alec
E Sims
16:47 25 Dec 19
Absolutely delicious chocolate! The chocolates are all freshly made in the Sneinton shop so it smells divine. Also very ethically sourced chooclate. Luisa has the pictures of all of the cocoa farmers on the walls and can talk about them as individuals. Love it!
Cathy Brookes
15:38 07 Dec 19
Incredible gem of a shop. They're always so friendly and you can see the vegan choc actually being made and the beans being roasted through the viewing panel. The white cashewlete is my favourite and I love to go there as often as I can. Value for money since the farmers are paid better than fair trade. Luisa is doing good things :) worth a visit!
Deidre Miller
2020-11-10T09:31:40+0000
OMG, the hazelate = pure bliss! It's like Nutella married Prince William. Smooth, rich, sophisticated.
Carm Acko
2020-11-06T18:17:39+0000
A fantastic world of wonderful chocolate! I cannot thank you enough. Your service is exceptional, your chocolate is... beyond exceptional. The chocolate I bought to send to my daughter at university in Louisiana has gone down an absolute treat. She is delighted and I’m so happy to put a smile on her face from a distance. I cannot wait to bring her to your shop when she is home for Christmas. Everything about this wonderful small business is something everyone should experience.read more
Miwa Takaoka
2020-09-26T18:58:36+0000
As a Japanese national I'm often disappointed with the lack of authentic Matcha chocolate in UK, especially as it's my... favourite flavour. Luisa's White Casholate Matcha Tea however is, THE best Matcha chocolate I've come across. It is creamy, has great balance of sweetness and Matcha bitter after taste. Now I know where to go for a pick me up! 🍵🍫read more
Hannah Allum
2020-09-23T16:30:05+0000
Treated to some of Luisa’s delicious chocolates for my birthday- they are fab, lovely smooth dark chocolate contrasts... against the delicious sweet fillings and the vegan white chocolate was creamy and super tastyread more
Elena Terraneo
2020-08-06T20:50:19+0000
I recommend a visit to this beautiful shop, the chocolate is amazing and Luisa is very nice and informative about cacao... beans, where her cacao come from and also how her products are made! If you are chocolate addicted Luisa's is the place to be !read more
Louise Orange
2020-08-05T09:11:08+0000
I went to the shop for the first time yesterday and was really impressed! I’ve had some chocolate before from... Louisa’a pop up stall and have used the online service to send gifts but I can highly recommend the store. Louisa is so knowledgable and the staff were so helpful and friendly it was a lovely experience. The chocolates were beautiful, all gone already!read more
Laura Jayne Paterson
2020-07-24T17:51:57+0000
A friend sent me some of your chocolates to cheer me up and I have to say they are delicious!
They're different to a... lot of other vegan chocolates. Great flavours and textures.
Thank you! xread more
Beck Benson
2020-07-16T15:12:37+0000
The lovely staff, their knowledge of the process of their product. wonderful rich velvety vegan chocolate.
Angi 'Bird'
2020-06-16T07:24:55+0000
Very kind and knowledgeable. Loved her enthusiasm. The casholate hearts 💓 YYYYUUUUMMMMM!!!
Louise Mills
2020-04-23T14:03:51+0000
Gosh, Luisa makes the most amazing chocolate! I’ve tried a few different varieties but my absolute favourite is the... White Casholate Turmeric Matcha Tea; absolutely mouth wateringly delicious 😊 Highly recommend anything made by her though!!read more
Elle Cornes
2020-03-31T12:42:28+0000
The most amazing vegan chocolate I’ve ever had! Exactly like Lindt and milky bar😍
Nina Green
2020-02-11T19:46:37+0000
Best chocolate ever! We are so lucky to have Luisa in Nottingham!
Donna Johno
2020-02-07T22:30:25+0000
Amazing experience visiting on Light Night. Gorgeous Hot choc, warm welcome from Luisa & co. and great to hear the... support for the Colombian women growers. The 75% cacao bar is delicious and the individual, beautifully crafted chocolates are delicious!read more
Beth Everard
2020-02-02T12:44:39+0000
I bought a small selection of these gorgeous chocolates yesterday and they really are something special. The white... chocolate hearts were the best vegan white chocolate I've ever tasted. Absolutely divine. A treat for all the senses!read more
Izzie Bedi
2020-01-18T15:43:42+0000
The best chocolate that happens to be vegan. Blows your mind with the nuances in each origin
Sarah Ritchie
2020-01-13T23:16:48+0000
This chocolate is not only ethically made, but also delicious. I would thoroughly recommend it
Jenny Jones
2020-01-08T12:37:12+0000
These chocolates are absolutely delicious, and probably the most ethical treat you could get. The casholate is a... particular strength, being creamy and having the right mouthfeel for 'milk' chocolate. I've only been vegan a year, so i remember what dairy chocolate tastes like - this absolutely nails it!
Aside from casholate, the single origin cocoa bars and the individual chocolates are all luxurious and worth every penny.
I just wish I lived nearer!read more
Deirdre Westwood
2020-01-04T15:45:52+0000
Brought my husband as he’s been missing his galaxy milk chocolate since going vegan 5 weeks ago. He’s now got his... smile back, think he’ll be a regular visitor from now on! Thanks Luisa, Deirdre and David (Sandiacre)read more
Cassandra Maughan-Williams
2019-12-21T14:10:46+0000
Outstanding chocolate. The beans are ethically sourced directly from the farmers - who incidentally are all female.... 💪🏾The beans are then transformed in store by Luisa's talented chocolatiers into the most AMAZING vegan chocolate with NO added refined sugar. Such an inspiring ethos. My new favourite place ♥️read more
Ashleigh Ranft
2019-12-05T15:53:37+0000
Delicious chocolates, excellent and friendly service, vegan...what's not to love! ❤️❤️
Jack Benjamin
2019-11-25T19:48:14+0000
Amazing selection of single origin chocolate made in Sneinton market. Properly sourced, vegan and Luisa was incredibly... friendly and helpful.read more
Melody Choudhury
2019-11-17T18:31:49+0000
Had a selection of chocolate over the weekend.
My three year old daughter loved choosing the heart and duck shaped... ones.
sadly we have finished them in 2 days. they taste amazing, plus hasn't left my daughter hyper. 👍🙊🙈read more
Emma Ford
2019-11-03T09:25:04+0000
Luisa’s vegan chocolates are absolutely incredible, since choosing to go vegan I haven’t been able to find a... chocolate that has tasted as good until now. I can’t recommend her enough . On top of that Luisa is wonderful... so helpful and takes time to explain about the process . Honestly do yourself a favour and try this chocolate ♥️read more
Alana Claire Sheils
2019-09-29T18:43:24+0000
Amazing service and chocolates!
It’s like buying a dream. Luisa has so much passion for what she does you can taste... this in the chocolates 💛💛💛💛💛read more
Sarah Hardy
2019-08-18T07:57:01+0000
received a selection of luisas vegan chocolate from a friend and it is delicious! the packaging is beautiful the milk... chocolate was so good best vegan chocolate ever!read more
Sarah Maloy
2019-07-20T16:10:13+0000
Wonderful chocolate made with such care! Love that Luisa can tell you the whole story of her creations, from bean to... bar! Great tasting love that this product is naturally vegan.read more
Sonia Mellor
2019-07-13T17:43:54+0000
Peanut butter disappeared before I could take a photo. Delicious. Salted caramel and ginger to go. Don’t stop me 😋
Laura Gamble
2019-06-04T20:26:02+0000
Delicious chocolates! Finally got around to visiting on Saturday, will be back <3
Linda Taylor
2019-06-01T14:30:35+0000
Fabulous chocolates and beautiful! Haven’t tasted better. Hope to pop in on 7th at the street food fair!
Ali Collison
2019-06-01T12:31:24+0000
My son and I popped into the shop yesterday and had our first try, Luisa’s chocolates are absolutely delicious!... Can’t quite believe they’re vegan!! Lovely story behind the brand too, it’s really nice to hear from people who are trying to make a difference in the world not just in it for profit 😄 Highly recommend a visit 🙌read more
Rachel Kenworthy
2019-04-01T18:43:48+0000
My idea of heaven, absolutely stunning taste and texture. The best vegan chocolate I’ve ever eaten. Thank you
Paul Guyll
2019-03-10T21:17:51+0000
What's not to like ? You know it's good chocolate when you can still taste it half an hour later.
Victoria Mary
2019-01-20T15:07:01+0000
Lovely chocolates and a lovely experience in the shop. Luisa ensures that you're informed about the chocolates... themselves. She has a range of beautifully created chocolates.read more
Elena Marchetti
2019-01-16T10:38:44+0000
Worked with Louisa a few times and everyone is always so impressed with her chocolates!! Not only is the service... amazing but the quality is lovely, perfect for gifts or just for yourself!! Would 100% recommend to anyone who is vegan or looking for a small gift!read more
Samantha Culshaw-Robinson
2019-01-11T16:15:26+0000
Luisa invited me in for a tasting today. The smell of her shop is divine. I love the cashew and hazelnut "milk"... chocolate especially as vegan milk choc is usually meh!read more
Ally-Jayne Cordon
2019-01-02T20:18:24+0000
I received a box of Louisa’s chocolates as a gift. They are beautiful to all the senses. I will be calling in on my... next visit to Nottingham. Highly recommendread more
Suzi Bee Beckett
2018-12-21T19:57:06+0000
Due to health issues , I made the decision to alter my diet to assist my recovery . I do not consume any refined sugar... or dairy and have found a HUGE benefit by doing this .... HOWEVER ......... I am only human and every now and then I love a sweet treat !
Luisas chocolates are the best that I have tasted and I love the fact that they match my dietary requirements !!!!!
Her customer service is excellent , packaging is superb and pricing is great considering the fact that the ingredients are of the highest quality .
I love them xread more
Shelley Porter
2018-12-14T10:33:10+0000
Luisa brought her choc delights into my workplace yesterday, I tasted three different kinds & plumped for some bars as... a treat to self. It’s amazing stuff & you CAN taste the difference!read more
Tracey Lord
2018-12-01T19:11:23+0000
Went in today ... and the amazing aroma of warm chocolate enveloped me... bought 12 wonderful truffles... and then went... back for six more... for a gift, honestly!
A true artisan... these chocolates are truly sumptuous.read more
Helen Scott
2018-09-01T15:03:59+0000
The best chocolate I’ve tasted. I can’t abide the bland homogenised taste of the brands so this is in a different... league. It’s my favourite indulgence now.read more
Sarah Raymond
2018-08-20T19:32:08+0000
Such delicious and beautifully presented chocolates. All cocoa beans are sourced directly with the cocoa growers and so... it is even better for the farmers than fairtrade chocolate. I've bought a box of 6 of the chocolate truffles (lots of different flavours of fillings - salted caramel, coconut, strawberry and apparently she's trialing a passion fruit filling too!) on two occasions and they are honestly so yummy. One was a gift and went down very well. The dark chocolate seems so creamy and luxurious - would definitely recommend 😊read more
Mathew Roberts
2018-07-06T21:27:47+0000
Epitomises nottingham’s new found confidence and creativity. Chocolate without any milk fats or oil is like in the... 90s when I discovered coffee wasn’t maxwell house and Nescafé. The Papua New Guinean blows your mind with earthy mushroom notes.read more
Toni Bailey
2018-05-16T12:33:45+0000
I love Luisa’s chocolate. I’d never had 100% before and absolutely love her bars. Have tried other makes now but... none are a patch on Luisa’s. My daughter adores the honeycomb chocolate.read more
Alwi Sufian –
I’ve had a taste of most of her single origin dark chocolates – big fan of the 72% Madagascan! Compared it with M&S single origin chocolates (£2/100g bars), I could instantly tell which one was Luisa’s with my eyes closed. The flavours were intense, very fruity, bright and acidic profile. The chocolate melts evenly in the mouth and texture is amazing – reminds me of having a spoonful of manuka honey. Might be more expensive than your typical go-to dark chocolate but definitely worth it!