The Rarest Chocolate in the World

Those who know me well know that I enjoy sharing my chocolate discoveries with anyone who can appreciate dark chocolates. So when a coworker shared an article with me about the exciting rediscovery of an extinct cacao variety, I had to get some to try it. Here is the article, in the New York Times.

Why a single source chocolate? Why this single source? This is an exceptionally smooth, mild flavored dark chocolate. Additionally, as the cacao trees age (beyond a century) a mutation causes many of the beans in the pod to be white, instead of purple. The white beans have fewer of the bitter chemicals, to improve the mild flavor without the volume of additives that make up milk chocolates.
By the way, if you ever hear of a chocolate bar made from only the white beans of the Fortunato Number 4, please tell me where I could get such a treasure! I may only taste it once, but that could go on my bucket list!

I went in search of some Fortunato Number 4. I was under the impression there was only one licensed manufacturer in the United States. I was also told that manufacturer sold in my local candy store. Score! Before long, I had purchased all the bars they had. Then I started ordering them online...
Then I found I couldn't even do that! My candy store and my supplier both said my chocolate bars were out of season, and I'd have to wait for the next crop of beans to come in. I was sad, but not too much - because in the meantime, I was broke.

After a couple of months, I was traveling for work. I ate all my chocolate reserves and had trouble finding some of my favorites (ever heard of Firecracker?) I had to find a new supplier so I could restock my Fortunato No. 4.

Jinju is a made-in-America chocolate company - the bars ship from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jin Caldwell is Korean, and a Master Chocolatier. I will vouch for her creations - delicious! She mixes the Fortunato Number 4 with some tempting combinations: Peruvian sea salt, or honey powder.

My order arrived in two boxes, not together. I was initially dismayed, but the customer service was good, and the second box arrived as promised.

Try some for yourself!