Bold spice, rich ferment, and deep umami are wildly unique tasting notes for chocolate. To’ak subverts expectations with this intriguing creation.
Indigenous communities of the Amazon rainforest have prepared Tucupí – also called Neapía – for millennia. They use fermented manioc starch and chilies, which are cooked over a woodfire in a lengthy process. The flavor of Tucupí is rich, spicy, and smoky, with a prominent umami taste. It’s an important condiment used in many kitchens across the Amazon. To’ak aims to bring recognition to a relatively unknown condiment for an unexpected symphony of flavor.
TASTING: spice, ferment, umami
PAIRING: mezcal, malt-forward lagers, shochu
CACAO ORIGIN: Piedra de Plata, Manabi – Ecuador
MADE IN QUITO, ECUADOR
INGREDIENTS: Dark chocolate (65% heirloom cacao, 35% cane sugar), tucupí (fermented and reduced yuca starch, chili pepper), cacao butter