Qantu Don Maximo`s Quest 80% Single Farm Dark Chocolate

Origin and Cacao Heritage

“Don Máximo’s Quest” celebrates a single-estate cacao grown in Kimbiri, Cusco, part of the VRAEM valley (Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro)—a fertile and biodiverse region that extends across Cusco, Ayacucho, and Junín. While this dark chocolate is often associated with Ayacucho due to the geographic continuity of the valley, Qantu specifies Kimbiri, Cusco, as the official origin!

The cacao comes from Finca Bellavista, run by Don Máximo, a farmer known for his dedication to quality-driven post-harvest practices. His approach combines traditional knowledge with careful experimentation in fermentation and drying, ensuring clean, expressive beans that reveal the potential of local genetics.

The Chuncho Legacy

This origin lies within the historical cradle of Chuncho cacao, one of Peru’s most distinctive genetic groups. Chuncho trees are considered among the oldest cultivated cacao types in the world, often characterized by small pods, high butter content, and low bitterness. Genetic studies conducted by the USDA-ARS and the ICCO have identified Chuncho as a distinct cluster within fine-flavor cacao, characterized by extraordinary aromatic diversity across the micro-regions of Cusco. Farmers in Kimbiri and nearby valleys still preserve these native varieties, sometimes blending them with selected hybrids to enhance productivity while maintaining sensory quality. The result is cacao that consistently ranks among Peru’s most refined expressions and has been widely used by Peruvian and international bean-to-bar chocolate makers.

Regional and Socio-Economic Context

The VRAEM region is one of Peru’s most complex agricultural zones: rich in biodiversity but also historically challenged by instability and limited infrastructure. Over the past decade, several development initiatives have promoted cacao as a sustainable alternative crop, encouraging producers to focus on fermentation control, traceability, and direct trade. Makers like Qantu have supported this evolution by establishing direct relationships with farmers such as Don Máximo, ensuring fair compensation and consistent quality through annual purchases.

Qantu’s Approach

Founded by Elfi and Maxime from Montreal, Qantu Chocolat has built its reputation on close partnerships with Peruvian farmers. The company’s philosophy centers on transparency, terroir expression, and single-origin storytelling, giving visibility to the individuals behind each cacao lot. “Don Máximo’s Quest” encapsulates this mission: it’s not only a chocolate bar but a narrative of trust and perseverance, highlighting how smallholder dedication and post-harvest precision can produce cacao worthy of global recognition.

Qantu Don Maximo`s Quest 80% Single Farm Dark Chocolate

Organic Ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar, cocoa butter

Batch Number: MX1107

Aromas: pepper, padauk wood, cassis, allspice.

Tasting Notes

• Blackcurrant

• Allspice

• Aged cedar

• Pecans

• Almonds

• Malabar pepper

• Pu-ehr tea (finish)

Appearance (4/4): Homogeneous, glossy, and uniform.

Snap (1/1): Clean and sharp, indicating excellent tempering.

Tactile Attributes

Fineness (4/5): dense.

Texture (8/8): rich and creamy (akin to two-ingredient chocolate).

Astringency (4/5): hint of astringency.

Roundness (7/7): "heavy and immersive" mouthfeel.

Melting Point (2/5): slow.

Flavor Profile and Aftertaste

Primary Cacao Flavor (10/10): strong, woody, and earthy.

Secondary Pleasant Flavors (12/12): defined and well-perceptible.

Secondary Unpleasant Flavors (0/5): None detected.

Overall Aromatic Quality (5/5): complex and full of intense aromas and flavors.

Aftertaste (5/5): Long-lasting and satisfying (up to 17 minutes).

Taste

Sweetness (6/6): well-integrated.

Bitterness (5/6): Subtle.

Acidity (5/6): Subtle.

Harmony and Gustatory Pleasure (10/10): Excellent.

Final Sensation (5/5): surprising, complex, and extremely balanced.

Total Score: 93/100

This score places Qantu Don Maximo`s Quest 80% Single Farm Dark Chocolate in the "Excellent” category.

Personal Reflection

Don Máximo’s Quest stands as one of the most compelling examples of what an 80% dark chocolate can achieve when precision meets authenticity. It’s not about multiplicity of flavors, but about clarity and distinction. Each note emerges with control and confidence, shaping a flavor experience that is strong yet impeccably balanced.

There’s something inherently masculine yet elegant in its aromatic structure, reminiscent of fine colognes, aged wood, and the quiet rituals of cigar and whisky. That combination of power and refinement defines the identity of this bar: dense, slow-melting, and deliberately composed.

The light tartness that threads through the mid-palate brings tension, while the peppery finish and the tannic pecan-skin grip evoke the sensation of well-brewed Pu’er tea. It’s an aftertaste that lingers—not aggressive, but articulate, with that same sharpness found in aged wood or a sip of fermented tea.

Finding an 80% bar with this level of elegance and coherence is a rare achievement. The industry often celebrates inclusions and mid-range percentages (70%-72%), but the real challenge — and artistry — lies in achieving harmony when cacao takes the lead. For me, these are the tasting experiences that truly deserve attention: those that are capable of being memorable.

After years of tasting, I no longer seek what is merely good; I seek what is extraordinary. Chocolate that leaves a lasting impression, that I want to experience again. Don Máximo’s Quest 80% belongs to that small circle: it captures excellence not as perfection, but as an authentic expression of cacao at its highest potential.