UPDATE: Sadly, Vosges' Matcha Chocolate Bar has been discontinued.
Vosges, the "luxury" chocolate brand that redefined chocolate bars for a large segment of the American population, offers both a matcha (green tea ) chocolate bar and a "Creole" (New Orleans chicory coffee) chocolate bar. Both are good quality chocolates that melt evenly across the palate and pair well with tea/coffee.
Vosges, the "luxury" chocolate brand that redefined chocolate bars for a large segment of the American population, offers both a matcha (green tea ) chocolate bar and a "Creole" (New Orleans chicory coffee) chocolate bar. Both are good quality chocolates that melt evenly across the palate and pair well with tea/coffee.
Chocolate Meets True Tea
Earl Grey is a classic tea chocolate flavor. Unfortunately, most chocolatiers simply use bergamot, the citrus fruit used to flavor Earl Grey tealeaves, rather than Earl Grey tea itself to make "Earl Grey chocolates." Similarly, "chai" (a.k.a. "chai tea" or "masala chai") chocolates are often just made with a blend of masala chai spices and no actual camellia Sinensis ("true tea").
A more recent trend originating is changing all that. Matcha powdered green tea is easy for chocolatiers to add directly into melted chocolate and appeals to fans of bittersweet chocolate and of antioxidants, so it has become a popular type of tea chocolate. Vosges' Matcha Bar was one of the first matcha chocolates to hit the mainstream American market.
Matcha Bar's chic packaging displays both tencha (the Japanese green tealeaves used to make matcha) and powdered matcha.
A more recent trend originating is changing all that. Matcha powdered green tea is easy for chocolatiers to add directly into melted chocolate and appeals to fans of bittersweet chocolate and of antioxidants, so it has become a popular type of tea chocolate. Vosges' Matcha Bar was one of the first matcha chocolates to hit the mainstream American market.
Matcha Bar's chic packaging displays both tencha (the Japanese green tealeaves used to make matcha) and powdered matcha.
The Flavor
At 45 percent cacao, you would expect a typical milk chocolate flavor. However, the naturally bittersweet flavor of matcha gives this bar a much deeper taste, like that of a much darker chocolate. This effect is something I think fans of darker chocolates and Japanese green teas (especially green tea latte fans) will both appreciate.
That said, this is not the best quality matcha. It's a little more "seaweed-y" and less nuanced than a truly great one. Then again, why waste the best matcha on confections?
A touch of vanilla balances and smooth the flavor of the Matcha Bar. The lingering bittersweet finish is enjoyable and leaves pairing opportunities wide open.
That said, this is not the best quality matcha. It's a little more "seaweed-y" and less nuanced than a truly great one. Then again, why waste the best matcha on confections?
A touch of vanilla balances and smooth the flavor of the Matcha Bar. The lingering bittersweet finish is enjoyable and leaves pairing opportunities wide open.
Overall Opinion
At about $7.50 a pop, this is no Hershey's bar. It's also not as expensive as, say, the The Tea Collection truffles from Teance and Charles Chocolates (my personal favorite tea chocolates). If you like your chocolate cheap and your tea out of a flat bag, I don't recommend this chocolate. However, if you like quality green tea and are interested in trying a higher end chocolate or if you enjoy quality chocolate and are getting into tea, I highly recommend this bar.
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
