Foundry Chocolate Peru 70% Dark Chocolate Bar

70 g bar - New Zealand

Every once in a while, a chocolate comes along that makes us stop mid-bite and wonder, "How is this even possible?" Foundry Chocolate's Peru 70% is exactly that kind of bar. Made with a rare cacao variety called VRAE-99, grown by a single farming family in the forested valleys of Peru, this chocolate is a celebration of flowers, fruit, and candy-like sweetness. It's enchanting—and a reminder of just how extraordinary cacao can be.

We're fascinated by the flavor profile of this one. Imagine the juicy brightness of sweet mandarin oranges mingling with the fragrant, rosy sweetness of Turkish delight. There's a floral quality that seems to float above the richer chocolate notes, with an almost confectionery character that keeps us coming back for another taste. The combination is so vivid that it's tempting to check the ingredients twice. Surely there must be some fruit or rosewater tucked in there somewhere?

But no. Just cacao beans and organic cane sugar. Not a drop of mandarin juice, a rose petal, or a splash of floral essence. That's what makes this chocolate such a thrill. The flavors are inherent in the cacao itself, skillfully revealed by Foundry's meticulous bean-to-bar process.

The beans come from Finca Nueva Esperanza, a tiny two-hectare farm in Pichari Alta, Cusco, Peru, where third-generation cacao farmers Juan and Carmen Laura work alongside their daughter Rosaura. The family has cultivated cacao in this community for more than 50 years, combining generations of agricultural knowledge with sophisticated fermentation and drying techniques to produce beans of exceptional quality.

And here's where the story gets especially interesting. The Lauras grow several distinctive cacao varieties on their farm, including JL-2, VRAE-15, and the particularly remarkable VRAE-99 used in this bar. While many cacao producers combine beans from different varieties into a single harvest, the Laura family keeps theirs separate, allowing the individual flavor characteristics of each genetic variety to shine. It's a fascinating approach that offers a rare opportunity to taste the personality of a particular cacao rather than a blend.

VRAE refers to the Valley of the Apurímac and Ene rivers, part of a region whose fertile valleys and extraordinary biodiversity create opportunities for exceptional agriculture. The Laura family's work is also helping demonstrate the value of high-quality cacao cultivation in an area historically associated with illicit coca production. Their commitment to preserving cacao genetics and developing outstanding post-harvest practices offers an inspiring example of what small-scale farming can accomplish.

This cacao is so sought after that relatively little leaves the region. Foundry was fortunate to secure a limited quantity directly from the Laura family, transforming the 2025 vintage of VRAE-99 into an exceptionally expressive 70% dark chocolate. With no added cacao butter, vanilla, or lecithin, the remarkable floral and fruity character of these beans takes center stage.

We think this is a must-try for anyone who loves aromatic, fruit-forward chocolate, especially those who enjoy discovering flavors that seem almost impossible without added ingredients. If you've ever wondered why chocolate enthusiasts get so excited about cacao genetics, this bar offers one very delicious explanation.

Tasting Notes: Sweet mandarin, rose-scented Turkish delight, juicy fruit candy, fragrant florals, lingering confectionery sweetness.

Cacao Origin: Finca Nueva Esperanza, Pichari Alta, Cusco, Peru. VRAE-99 cacao, 2025 vintage.

Ingredients: Cacao beans, organic cane sugar. No added cacao butter, lecithin, or vanilla.

Dietary: Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and 100% plant-based.

About Foundry Chocolate

Just north of Auckland, New Zealand, husband-and-wife team David and Janelle Herrick create extraordinary micro-batch bean-to-bar chocolate with an almost obsessive devotion to cacao's natural flavors. Working with exceptional single-origin beans, Foundry uses just cacao and organic sugar in its dark chocolate—or pure cacao for its 100% bars. No added cacao butter, vanilla, or lecithin. Their meticulous approach has earned numerous international awards, including Best in Show at the 2024 Northwest Chocolate Festival. Every bar is a delicious exploration of what makes each cacao origin unique.

Explore the full Foundry Chocolate collection at ChefShop.