A journey through four of the world's distinctive cacao origins, Amedei Selezione I Cru brings together a curated collection of single-origin dark chocolates from Ecuador, Grenada, Madagascar and Venezuela.
Presented as 12 individual Napolitains, the collection is designed for comparative tasting, allowing each origin to reveal its own aromatic personality—from the bright red-fruit character of Madagascar to the extraordinary concentration of Venezuela. It is an elegant introduction to the concept of terroir in fine chocolate and an ideal selection for the serious chocolate enthusiast.
Producer: Amedei Toscana
Chocolate Origin: Pontedera, Tuscany, Italy
Cacao Origins: Ecuador · Grenada · Madagascar · Venezuela
Style: Single-Origin Extra Dark Chocolate
Format: 12 Napolitains · 54 g / 1.90 oz
The collection contains four different Amedei single-origin chocolates:
Ecuador — 77%
Rich and rounded, with intense cacao, ripe banana, dried-fruit nuances and a distinctive toasted-caramel character.
Grenada — 85%
Powerful yet balanced, with deep cacao, fruit compote and dried-fruit characteristics.
Madagascar — 72%
The brightest and most vibrant of the collection, characterized by lively acidity, red-fruit flavors and licorice.
Venezuela — 92%
The most intense expression, with formidable cacao concentration balanced by notes of sour cherry, cream and roasted coffee.
Amedei confirms that each chocolate is made from the same beautifully concise foundation of cocoa mass, cocoa butter and cane sugar, with the differences in origin providing dramatically different expressions.
Aroma:
A fascinating progression across the four origins, moving from bright berries and exotic fruit to dried fruit, roasted coffee, caramel and intensely concentrated cacao.
Palate:
The collection demonstrates just how dramatically cacao can change according to its origin. Madagascar is vibrant and fruit-driven; Ecuador is rounder and more generous; Grenada offers greater concentration and dried-fruit depth; while Venezuela provides the collection's most powerful and intense expression.
Texture:
Each Napolitain offers a clean snap followed by Amedei's characteristically smooth and refined melt, allowing the aromatic differences between the four origins to develop gradually.
Finish:
The finish evolves from the fresh, fruit-driven persistence of Madagascar through the richer character of Ecuador and Grenada to the exceptionally long, dark and roasted finish of Venezuela.
Amedei's I Cru collection explores one of the most fascinating ideas in fine chocolate: that cacao, like wine, can express the characteristics of the place where it is grown.
Instead of blending beans from different countries to achieve a consistent house style, each chocolate focuses on a single cacao origin, allowing differences in fruit, acidity, bitterness, aroma and structure to become part of the tasting experience. Amedei describes this 12-piece selection specifically as an opportunity to discover the unique characteristics of four exceptional single-origin chocolates.
For a wine lover, the idea is immediately familiar: four origins, four expressions of terroir.
Amedei Selezione I Cru is more than an assortment of dark chocolates—it is a comparative tasting experience.
Across just four origins, the collection moves from the bright red-fruit freshness of Madagascar 72%, through the exotic richness of Ecuador 77% and deeper dried-fruit intensity of Grenada 85%, before reaching the formidable concentration of Venezuela 92%.
Presented as 12 individually portioned Napolitains, it is an excellent choice for gifting, after-dinner tasting or pairing with wines and spirits. It is also a particularly interesting collection to taste with friends, comparing each origin side by side.
For the full experience, I would pair each Cru individually:
MADAGASCAR 72% — Brachetto d'Acqui · Recioto della Valpolicella · Ruby Port
ECUADOR 77% — Tawny Port · Madeira · Aged Rum
GRENADA 85% — Vintage Port · Madeira · Cognac
VENEZUELA 92% — Vintage Port · Barolo Chinato · Aged Rum · Armagnac
Alternatively, serve the entire collection alongside a flight of aged rum, Port or Madeira, tasting progressively from Madagascar through Ecuador and Grenada before finishing with Venezuela.
PAIR WITH:
Vintage Port · Tawny Port · Madeira · Barolo Chinato · Aged Rum · Cognac · Armagnac · Espresso
Amedei recommends storing the collection in a cool, dry place between 14°C and 18°C, with an indicated shelf life of 18 months.
