buttery.
a hint of plum.
notes of tobacco.
These are the descriptors the red-bearded Mast Brother's use to describe their hand-crafted organic, vegan chocolate that I had the privilege of tasting today at their very own chocolate factory on North 3rd street . No soy-emulsifiers allowed here! This 'food of the gods' melts in your mouth simply because of the quality of the raw materials used, and the vintage crafting process the brother's have re-discovered and are working to keep alive.
At 7 dollars a bar, this chocolate is not cheap, but you have to keep in mind you are not buying a candy bar, you are keeping alive a dying art, not unlike ballet, classical music or the study of Latin. The cocoa beans are handharvested, and the wrappers are hand-made by local artists and friends. The beans are roasted, cracked, winnowed, stone-ground and aged in Brooklyn according to the label . (I think they might even rely on sail boats to import their cocoa beans?).
Sounds pretenious? Maybe a tad. (It's Williamsburg what can I say.) Nevertheless, helping to cultivate a local economy based on the merit of creativity. But putting aside sailboats, vintage-process, vegan-whatever these guys have a great product! I found the customer service to be very friendly. The smell of cocoa beans roasting waffs down 3rd N Street. The flavor selection is incredibly creative! Serrano peppers in my chocolate! Give me the heavenly taste of chocolate and a neti-pot for my sinuses all in one. Yum! ...they have yet to discover the combination of fennel and chocolate though....
If you are dying for a chocolate-pick-me-up and need a serotonin boost just stop in, smell and taste for free. (I promise you will leave smelling like chocolate.) If you are not in the neighborhood you can order, and learn more about their product on their website at mastbrotherschocolate.com.
Love,
Marginally Mollie
