Venezuela
Northern Coast of S. America, Neighboring Colombia & Brazil
Cacao is grown throughout Venezuela, from coastal valleys and grassy plains to the Andean foothills. Each region’s beans have distinct flavors. Gail works with Chocolates El Rey, one of the oldest Venezuelan chocolate manufacturers.
The company sources its fairly traded beans directly from small- and large-scale growers across the country. In addition to paying its growers above-market prices and teaching sustainable agriculture, El Rey makes incredible single-origin chocolates that inspire some of Gail’s most creative concoctions.
Flavors of Venezuela
Lemongrass with Ginger
Inspired by Asian cuisine, this fragrant fusion – featuring mild, buttery 70% Rio Carribe chocolate – tastes of lemon groves and the steamy tropical sun. Gail infuses dried organic lemongrass into coconut puree with a few generous scoops of sharp ginger pulp. Topped with candied lemon peel and dried safflower, this meeting of East and West has rapidly become a favorite.
Jasmine
Gail pairs the delicate flavor of Rishi’s Jasmine Tea with the smoothness of 61% Carenero Superior chocolate. This refined chocolate complements the light floral of the jasmine green tea, infused in fresh cream. It’s a subtle, elegant taste that reveals itself softly on your tongue.
Rose
Rishi’s dainty Wild Rose Tea, steeped in sweet cream, romances the mild smoothness of Venezuela’s Carenero Superior chocolate. This light and delicate play on the taste buds is like breathing in a heady bouquet of roses. It’s a mindful muddling of the senses, best savored in blissful quietude.
