Oaxacan chocolate - "sin azucar, por favor"

Okay, while in Mexico last year I purchased a ton of Oaxacan chocolate that I had custom ground at Mayordomo. While there, I was able to tell them that I wanted the chocolate without any sugar. I'm now out of that chocolate and don't think I can find anything similar here. Do I have to go back to Mexico to get unsweetened Oaxacan chocolate? I don't think that my food cost budget would support that.

Anybody know if I can order customized chocolate online from anyplace in Oaxaca or if there is a chocolate producer here that has a similar product?

HI Molly,

When you had your chocolate custom ground, beyond no sugar, how did you specify it? Never having had any chocolate custom ground for me, I know I wouldn't know where to begin.

Regards,

Commercially available Mayordomo chocolates (both green and gold) simply contain, in addition to sugar as the main ingredient, cacao beans, almonds, and cinnamon. I see no reason why you couldn't use a high-quality unsweetened chocolate and mix it with ground roasted almonds and cinnamon. I've never tried this since the standard Mayordomo offerings suit me just fine, but I'd bet in something like a black mole, which doesn't contain much chocolate to start with, you'd be hard pressed to notice a difference.

Bill/SFNM

I see no reason why you couldn't use a high-quality unsweetened chocolate and mix it with ground roasted almonds and cinnamon

This is what I've been doing since I used up my stash from Mexico and I'm just not as happy with the end product. Guess I'll just have to keep adjusting my almond and canela additions.

figmolly wrote:Guess I'll just have to keep adjusting my almond and canela additions.

You probably already know this, but Ceylon-type cinnamon is preferred for Mexican cuisine. Also, a foodie friend who is very much into cakes and pastries recently told me he prefers almonds from Spain over those from California. I have no idea whether this would apply to ground chocolate.

Bill/SFNM

What about starting with cocoa nibs? They're pretty available these days. Otherwise, I'd check with somebody like Bombon and see if they have a source.

Hi Molly,

I'm fairly certain I sampled Oaxacan chocolate without sugar at the Chicago Green Festival this past April. The festival was a circus, and I wasn't taking notes and therefore don't have the name of the vendor. There seems to be something wrong with the festival website at the moment, but if I can get to the list of vendors that were there, I may be able to sift through and find a name for you. I'll see what I can do...

Sharon