As a chocolate lover and advocate for ethical chocolate, I recently tried the River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar. I purchased this bar from Seek Chocolate Shop and was intrigued by its unique flavor profile and ethical certifications. In this review, I will share my thoughts on the packaging, appearance, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and quality of this chocolate bar, as well as the company’s ethical practices.
About the River-Sea Chocolate
River-Sea Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Chantilly, Virginia, USA. The company is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including direct trade and support for litter cleanup and prevention in the Amazon River Basin and carbon-neutral transport. River-Sea sources its cacao beans from Brazil, where the owners Krissee and Mariano personally visited a family friend’s farm to purchase their beans. The company also holds slave-free chocolate and wind-powered certifications.
Packaging
The packaging of the River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar is eye-catching and unique. The bohemian line art of a sloth holding a cacao pod against a watercolor background is cute and whimsical. the watercolor colors remind me of a sunset. The certifications for ethical and sustainable practices are prominently displayed, suggesting a commitment to responsible sourcing and production.
Appearance
The River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar has an elegant and simple swirl mold and a glossy, well-tempered appearance. The bar is divided into two textures, one side smooth and the other side with a more gritty texture, which adds visual interest and texture variation.
Aroma
Upon opening the wrapper, I immediately noticed the fragrant aroma of the cocoa butter, which reminded me of the River-Sea Angel Food White Chocolate. The aroma was pleasant and inviting, reminding me of cozy kitchen.
Flavor
The overall flavor of the River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar was delicious, but I found the salt and caramel flavor to be lacking. It doesn’t seem to be evenly spread since some parts of the chocolate are Compared to other salted caramel chocolate bars I’ve tried, such as Domori Chocolate Caramel Milk Chocolate, the caramel flavor was not as strong. However, the chocolate itself was of high quality and had a rich, creamy taste.
Mouthfeel
The River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar had a smooth buttery mouthfeel, which made it enjoyable to eat. The texture variation between the smooth and gritty sides of the bar also added an interesting mouthfeel experience.
Quality
The use of fragrant cocoa butter sourced from the highest quality cacao beans contributes to the high quality of the River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar. The well-tempered appearance and smooth, creamy taste are also indicative of the company’s commitment to producing delicious chocolate.
Is River-Sea Chocolate Ethical?
River-Sea Chocolate’s direct trade practices and support for sustainable and ethical programs for litter cleanup and prevention in the Amazon River Basin and carbon-neutral transport make them a strong contender for ethical chocolate. The company’s commitment to responsible sourcing and production is evident in its certifications for slave-free chocolate and wind-powered production.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Bar is a delicious and ethically made treat that is worth trying. While the caramel flavor could be stronger, the high-quality cocoa butter and creamy taste of the chocolate make up for it. River-Sea Chocolate’s commitment to ethical and sustainable practices adds to the appeal of this chocolate bar.
Chocolate Scorecard
| Packaging | 4/5 | Eye-catching and unique design with prominent ethical certifications. |
| Appearance | 4/5 | Elegant swirl mold, glossy, well-tempered, and interesting texture variation. |
| Flavor | 3.9/5 | Delicious overall, but salt and caramel flavor could be stronger and unevenly spread. |
| Aroma | 4.5/5 | Fragrant cocoa butter aroma was reminiscent of a cozy kitchen. |
| Mouthfeel | 4.3/5 | Smooth and buttery, enhanced by texture variation. |
| Quality | 4/5 | High-quality cocoa butter, well-tempered, and creamy taste. |
| Ethics | 4.5/5 | Strong commitment to ethical practices, including direct trade, support for sustainable programs, and certifications for slave-free chocolate and wind-powered production. |
| Overall | 4.1/5 | Delicious and ethically made treat worth trying, despite slight shortcomings in flavor. |
Where can you buy River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate?
You can buy this chocolate bar from the brand’s website.
Should you buy River-Sea Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate?
Yes! Especially if you love salted caramel.
Chocolate Information
| Brand | River-Sea Chocolate |
| Description | Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate premiered at our 1-year anniversary party and outsold everything else! It’s an absolutely delicious treat. We added the caramel using pure flavor extracts that are cold processed without the use of any colorants, fillers, diluting agents or preservatives. |
| Cocoa percentage | N/A |
| Cost | $7.99 |
| Made in | Chantilly, VA |
| Ingredients | Cacao Butter, Organic Cane Sugar, Cacao Beans, Organic Whole Milk, Caramel Extract, Hawaiian Lava Salt |
| Allergens | N/A |
Nutrition Facts
Have you tried this chocolate bar before? How was your experience? What other chocolates would you like me to review? Let me know in the comments below.
