Marcolini’s black boxes are stylish and minimalist, the perfect packaging for the dark and sexy looking bar inside. No flaws are present behind the plastic wrapper, and the color is as mentioned dark but brightly tinted by red. Despite the dark appearances, the aroma comes as a shock. It’s light and complex, conveying lemon, wood, and smoke for a theme that for Indonesian cacao is the norm rather than an exception.

Starting with sweet spice and then transitioning into lemon and orange, the chocolate so far is light as a feather without a sign of boldness. Leather and smoke then appear, taking center stage while the sweet citrus serves as accents, but not once does the flavor ever become assertive or forceful—everything is presented at a very manageable level. Indeed, a yang accompanies the yin, and they complement one another in an odd couple sort of way; if opposites attract, then Java displays it perfectly. Texture could not be better for Marcolini; the chocolate melts like a dream, creamily and smoothly, almost like solidified cream.

Java’s flavor, though dominantly comprised of masculine notes, still comes off as light and feminine, not bold and assertive like the burly offerings from Pralus. As a result, this bar may be ideal for those curious about these eccentricities. This is perhaps Marcolini’s most successful placement in the single origin roster, an ironic feat made possible only by the processing that occurs within the country of production. In a sense, then, the chocolate’s flavor is unique in that its development extends farther than the usual fermenting and roasting. Without it, this chocolate would most likely be merely average and patently one-dimensional.

Simply, yet stylishly packaged in black cardboard, the chocolate is a solid looking bar of nine squares, with letters spelling our Marcolini’s name. An enticing light ochre red in colour, as if it were a strong milk chocolate, which is not surprising as Java beans are most commonly used in good milk chocolate, rather than in plain.

The bar has a solid marble sheen, neither too opaque nor too translucent, suggesting a good balance of cocoa paste and butter. Snaps with a solid thud that can be felt in the fingers.

The aroma is mild with caramel and lime notes, neroli (orange flower) or strawberry and a toasty liquorice undertone.

On tasting the chocolate seems much stronger, first with heavy caramel and molasses, followed by a sudden rush of lime, strong ‘chocolate’, then bursting with powerful, fizzy strawberry. The melt is so light and subtle it will hardly be noticed, though the texture is fudge-like. After this flourish the chocolate settles into the underlying liquorice and caramel flavours, perhaps with a hint of plum at the end. Length is a little sour, with mainly the dark notes persisting, but clears after a while and lingers very long.

An interesting chocolate, quietly daring and unusual, with a lot going on. Thankfully the flavour complexities are not off putting if you just want to eat an excellent, approachable chocolate.