Description
This 54% Sheep milk chocolate bar starts with fresh sheep milk from a neighboring farm which is cooked in-house into dulce de leche powder. It represents a technical collaboration between local producers in the Wairarapa region.
Craft & Origin
Johnty Tatham produces Lucid chocolate in the Coastal Wairarapa region of New Zealand from a remote farm location. He employs a rigorous bean-to-bar process using organically sourced Marañón cacao from Cajamarca, Peru. This expression features grass-fed sheep milk from Fernglen Farm—the first dairy milk in New Zealand to receive SPCA animal welfare certification. Sourced from Tatham’s lifelong friend, Cameron, the fresh milk is meticulously transformed into a caramelized dulce de leche powder before being refined with the cacao. By leveraging the naturally high fat content of sheep milk, Tatham achieves an exceptionally velvety finish without the use of emulsifiers. The chocolate production focuses on highlighting these creamy, toasted aromatics through precise roasting and controlled conching processes. This technical approach yields an addictive bar that celebrates original vision and local provenance through the expressive medium of Marañón cacao and grass-fed sheep milk.
Flavor & Texture
Notes of toasted caramel and sweet cream. The texture is smooth and dense with a clean melt.
How to Use
Enjoy this bar as a focused tasting or pair it with a lightly salted almond.
Why We Like It
We value the regional connection and the technical application of sheep milk in craft chocolate.
Technical Details
- Size: 50g
- Origin: Wairarapa, New Zealand
- Varieties: Marañon cacao produced by Noe Vasquez near Huarango in Cajamarca, Peru
- Production Method: Bean-to-bar
- Dietary Notes: Contains dairy, soy-free
- Pairs With: Salted nuts, black tea, espresso