Stanisland Magazine

Very few products on the market accomplish the ‘ethical’ spectrum. One such company doing so is Montezuma’s, whose inventory of stock is free from slavery and other concerns.

Montezuma’s has been a big player in the game of cacao for some time, offering a range of products in varying flavours. But despite this, their name remains adrift when one thinks of chocolate and quality. Their work is undermined largely by a conglomerate of competitors who have sought to block legal frameworks that aim to reduce slavery in their workflow.

Our choice of variant to review today is their Royal Mint Dark Chocolate bar, which comes in two dimensions: a pocket measure of 25g and a large 90g size.

Packaging

Being an ethical chocolate company, it stands to reason everything must follow suit. Delivery (or pick-up) comes in two different forms. The pocket-size bar is produced in a paper sleeve, which is durable enough to withstand delivery bumps and knocks, and despite this, very little chocolate melts into its packaging.

The larger bar is encased in a waxy paper wrapping, which is then packaged inside a cardboard sleeve. It’s a worthwhile design, as it protects the chocolate and is easily opened with little damage, and the aesthetic design of each is similar to other dark chocolate bars; square in form and minimalist.

A bonus point goes to Montezuma’s for ensuring the entire packaging in both bars is 100% recyclable. However, you’ll need to find out from your local recycling service whether they can take on goods that are stained with foodstuffs.

Taste, profile and finish

This is a rather delicious bar of chocolate, though there are some caveats to its profile.

The mouthfeel of the “Royal Mint” is flavourful and rammed solid with cacao, and the mint taste isn’t as sharp as other products on the market, though it offers a distinct minty taste as it enters the mouth. It’s chunky and you’ll get your money’s worth though its flavour could be improved.

The aftertaste is, put quite simply, one of dark chocolate. The mint flavour quickly dissipates and you’re met with the 74% dark chocolate notes it is based upon. Given the amount of cacao solids in this product, it’s no surprise that the mint flavour quickly disappears. In order to improve this, it would be ideal if their chocolatiers formulated a way for the key ingredient to linger for longer after each bite.

Nutritional profile

If you’re aiming for gut health, you’re in good fortune; Montezuma’s interpretation of the classic mint chocolate bar is free of nasties with an ingredient profile chock-full of the basics with only vanilla extract and natural flavours added. The bar is entirely organic, and it’s also vegan.

Ingredients: Organic Dark Chocolate (Organic cocoa mass, Organic cane sugar, Organic cocoa butter, Organic vanilla extract) & Natural Flavouring: Organic Mint Oil.

VERDICT:

Mint taste:

Chocolate:

Packaging:

Overall: