I’m in a dilemma.
I like the ideals behind Fair Trade; who doesn’t? Giving the farmer – often working a very small plot with his family with absolutely no control over what price he receives for his cocoa crop – a fairer price and more say in the process is both decent and appropriate.
Having it made from organic ingredients makes it even better and as such, I always try ‘Fair Trade’ branded chocolate.
Scarborough Fair were first established in New Zealand in 2004 and tell us on their website that they have ”largest range of Fairtrade products under one brand in Australasia,” and that their ”….entire range is Fairtrade Certified so you won’t find us putting out one line to appear to be doing the right thing whilst at the same time exploiting growers with our other range. That doesn’t sit well with us.”
Well said: as is “Where possible the products will be organic.” Right?
Er, right. Trouble is, this one – ‘Rapture’ – 70% cocoa Dark Orange Chocolate – tastes awful.
The overriding first impression is of damp dirt. Not as in fresh, nature’s-own, deeply rich ‘earthy tones’ as other (poncier) chocolate experts and wine tasters like to describe things, but as in a yukky muddy taste that clings to the back of my throat like potatoes that haven’t been washed properly.
Aware that such a reaction to such a well-intentioned product could be viewed as being unnecessarily harsh, I put the block away and tried it again with a fresh eye and palate a few days later.
Nope. Still horrible and the orange flavour was barely discernible above that of wet earth.
And a third time. Nope. It again tasted like it had been some peat bog had been compressed together instead of conched, making it unravel instead of melt.
And thus the dilemma. It’s 70% (antioxidants ahoy), Fair Trade and Australian Organic Certified. Yet for all this effort, surely it still needs to taste good, or aren’t all the efforts in vain?
I might try their milk chocolate to see if that’s better, otherwise I think my $4.99 would be better donated directly to Fair Trade or World Vision.
I’ve not tried this brand but it sounds very similar in taste to the Cocolo Mint chocolate I tried last year. Absolutely dreadful stuff it was
Ooh, that statement is *such* a jab at Green & Black’s and their only certifying the Maya bar as Fairtrade! That really just made me giggle.
Luckily I’ll never have to go through the awfulness of tasting this as I can’t stomach orange chocolate in any form. But I completely agree – all the principles in the world are for naught if the product isn’t pleasant, as people won’t buy something that tastes awful.
P.S. I’m a big fan of using “earthy tones” to describe chocolate. Signing off, Ms. Poncy Pants.
I’ve had this experience with several Fair Trade chocolates. Now I avoid them like the plague.
Yeah, I’m not too dazzled by Cocolo either Christine, but admittedly it’s been a couple of years since I’ve tried it. Maybe I should find the plain dark variety and give it another try….
Hannah, Ms ‘Poncy Pants’ is really just a term of endearment
River, seeing as you’re a Milk lover, you’re probably better off avoiding them and making whatever donation to whatever charity instead of ending up with a crap chocolate and perhaps only a small sliver of the profits going anywhere helpful.
Try their dark chocolate. It was on special at Woolies so I gave it a go… and yummo! My favourite chocolate tends to be haighs, but I actually prefer Scarborough Fair’s less honey flavoured version.
I disagree, this is the ONLY variety of chocolate I used to buy on a regular basis, the rest is horrible sugary fat milk.
I’m very disappointed this is no longer produced.
Scott, I guess we can only agree to disagree, because I tried it on three separate occasions and still didn’t like it.