Rózsavölgyi Carenero 73%

The best about Budapest (and Hungary) is Rózsavölgyi. My sin, my soul. 

The aroma wow oh wow. Wheaty, salty, soda bread, rosemary. The taste didn't wow-oh-wow quite like the aroma, but it still was ever so nice. It was wheaty, very chocolate-smooth, rosemary and red peppercorns (that distinct spice to it). In my first tasting I had icing sugar (which is a defect to me), in later tastings I got sweet orange zest (not sharp) and once slightly burning car tyre, this smokiness was mesmerising

Carenero, a Venezuela strain of cacao, named after the port from where it once shipped from, is known as a "tropical fruit basket" with spice and earth grounding it. However, Rózsavölgyi are fond of the 'green' and more subtle earthy notes in chocolate, so they work hard with their cocoa beans to achieve this; their effort shows

I love Rózsavölgyi, that is all

Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé Bonbons

This was the one place I had to visit when in Budapest. And really "it was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight." I felt jittery when I finally found the shop. There was a CHUAO cocoa bag in the window and inside it smelt wonderful. The smell wasn't of what is associated with chocolate. I cannot even describe it, but, it was real chocolate. Oh my ... fine cocoa!

I chose 6 bonbons and they were put into a paper cone. I then walked 2 miles, in the hot sun, back to the apartment, praying that they wouldn't melt in my backpack! - A few days later I went back and bought 3 of them again (as I wasn't confident in my first tasting notes on them) and then the Lemon Oil Caramel too

Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé Madagascar 72%

Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé are chocolatiers and bean-to-bar makers based in Budapest. Their Madagascar 72% chocolate tablet was of organic Trinitario cocoa beans (from the Sambirano Valley (Åkesson's planation)), organic cane sugar and cocoa butter

Unwrapping the chocolate was unlike any other. The process was like a ritual, performed with delicacy, admiration and not to be rushed. Pull up the sticker, unfold and open up the thickish wrapping-paper, pull up the next sticker, unfold and open up the tissue paper wrapping to finally unveil the beautiful tile of chocolate (the moulding inspired to look like traditional fireplace tiles)

The aroma was grass, wood, malt, roast (smokey) and a slight fruitness. The taste burst a sourness, acidity and oak wood. It was sweet and malty with little-to-no bitterness. There was a floral wave, a peachy note and a touch of spice. The finish was predominantly malt. This chocolate had a soft flavour and with the buttery smooth texture it was scrumptious

I liked this chocolate. It's nice to know I have another ornate tile (I received one from Chocablog and one from my Cocoa Runners box)