Galler Manon Coffee White Chocolate

Famed Belgian chocolatier takes on a difficult balance of delicate white chocolate and bold coffee in this unusual bar.

Many coffees pair well with milk and dark chocolates, However, white chocolate is not technically chocolate and it has a completely different flavor profile from true chocolate. It can be more difficult to balance with the full flavor of coffee.

This particular white chocolate is filled with a whipped coffee filling that is blended with bits of fruit and hazelnuts. The combination bridges the upfront sweetness of the white chocolate with coffee's intensity.

The mouthfeel of Gallo Manon is very unusual. Firm, smooth white chocolate yields to a creamy-yet-light whipped coffee filling studded with bits of fruit and nuts.

The aftertaste tips the delicate coffee-fruit-white-chocolate flavor balance with the overpowering sweetness of white chocolate. While white chocolate fans may love this, dark chocolate fans (like myself) will likely find it to spoil an otherwise great chocolate.

At 70 grams (2.5 ounces) for $3.79 (at my local specialty food store), I had hoped for a less overpoweringly sweet chocolate. While it is far more balanced and complex than your average white chocolate, and it manages to combine flavors in a novel way, it's a bit rough in the finish for my expectations. I would still definitely recommend it to those who love white chocolate, but regular coffee lovers shouldn't necessarily assume they will love this chocolate, too.