70% with Nyons AOC Olives

This is one of the more intriguing bars in Ara Chocolat’s lineup. It begins with 70% grand cru cacao from El Salvador, layered with Tanche olives from Nyons—one of France’s most celebrated olive varieties. The dark chocolate brings deep cacao richness, while the olives add a gentle fruitiness and a subtle savory, briny note that softens the chocolate and makes the flavors feel round and balanced. 

The olives themselves have an impressive heritage. Grown near Nyons on the Chauvin family plantation, Tanche olives were the first olives in France to receive an Appellation of Origin (AOC) in 1968, later becoming an AOP in 1996. Their delicate sweetness and soft texture make them especially suited to this unexpected combination.