The Panther’s Flame 87% dark chocolate is one that is near and dear to my heart. It is the very first chocolate I made from start to finish.

I chose 87% so that I could truly understand the cacao I was working with. The tasting notes were not altered by sugar, and the consistency was not affected by the addition of other elements. It is mellowed ever so slightly by the organic cane sugar I used, but even so, I felt this was the purest form to begin with. This chocolate marked a transformation in my relationship with chocolate, a shift from consumer to creator.

Through this chocolate, I deepened my understanding of how cacao behaves. There was trial and error at every phase of the process while making the first iterations, and each step offered a new lesson.

It was also the first time I truly understood what it means to enjoy the journey, deep in my bones. Each time the chocolate came out grainy or a little off, I saw it as an opportunity to better understand the element I was working with, rather than as an inconvenience or frustration. What a beautiful thing to experience. I believe this is the true mark of love and adoration, seeing trials and tribulations as opportunities to better understand the other and yourself at the same time.

I hope this story is felt in the energy of the Panther’s Flame. It is intended to ignite. To ignite a flame within you, awaken passion, and burn away anything that stands in the way.