#Japan #Tokyo #Minimal Chocolate #Rum Barrel #Bosō Rhum

A Refreshing Summer Treat: Minimal's Rum-Aged Chocolate

As July approaches, chocolate lovers can anticipate an exciting new offering from Minimal - Bean to Bar Chocolate, a specialty store based in Tokyo. Starting from July 1, 2026, the store will introduce a limited edition chocolate called "SEASONAL Ghana Rum Cask FINE," available for purchase in their online shop and select locations.

With summer in full swing, this exceptional chocolate is designed for adults seeking a refreshing treat. It is a high-cacao chocolate that exudes the rich aroma of rum, perfect for charging your energy in the hotter months.

The Art of Rum Aging

This exclusive chocolate is crafted using cacao beans that have been carefully infused and aged for three months within rum barrels sourced from the Boso Oikura Distillery in Chiba Prefecture's Minamiboso City. Renowned for its innovative craftsmanship, this distillery is noted for producing agricultural rum with a focus on sustainability and quality. By aging the cacao in rum barrels, the flavors meld beautifully, resulting in a chocolate that embodies the deep, rich aroma imparted by the rum, creating an unparalleled tasting experience.

Unlike typical sweet rums, this variant from Minimal presents a pleasant acidity paired with herbal notes reminiscent of sage and nutmeg, alongside a vibrant array of fruity scents, enhancing the authentic cacao flavor. By selecting Ghanaian cacao beans that hold their ground against the powerful rum flavor, Minimal has created a unique high cacao chocolate that promises a taste adventure.

Chill Out with Clean Flavors

This summer chocolate is ideal for chilling in the fridge, maintaining its exquisite flavor even when served cold. The combination of high cacao intensity and the rum's rich aroma provides a refreshing palate, perfect for recharging in the summer heat.

To maximize the flavors and ease of consumption, Minimal employs a fine grind technique. By finely grinding the chocolate, the sweetness from cocoa butter becomes more noticeable, while the bitterness is reduced. This allows for a surprisingly rich sweetness, despite containing 80% cacao, that harmonizes beautifully with the rum's aromatic sweetness. The fruity scents are further accentuated, enhancing the overall tasting experience.

Crafting Quality from Farm to Bottle

Minimal’s collaboration with Boso Oikura Distillery signifies not just a partnership in flavor but also a shared commitment to high-quality production processes. The distillery carries out the entire process from sugarcane cultivation to distillation and aging all on-site, nestled within a heritage home over 150 years old. Utilizing both traditional methods like their unique 'bagasse maceration' technique and modern scientific approaches, Boso Oikura is dedicated to delivering world-class rum. Their products, encapsulating the essence of Boso's terroir, are highly regarded both domestically and internationally.

For more details on the limited edition chocolate and its unique flavor profile, here’s what you need to know:

• - Price: ¥1,880 (tax included)
• - Release Date: July 1, 2026
• - Availability: Limited quantities will be available at their online store and physical locations including the Tomigaya main store, Azabudai Hills store, and Sengawa store.

Join the Culinary Exploration at Minimal

Minimal is home to a team of chocolatiers and pastry chefs who share a passion for exploring cocoa and chocolate. Each chocolate is meticulously made by hand, with a philosophy grounded in simplicity and a commitment to enhancing the natural flavors of quality ingredients. Their relationship with cocoa farmers focuses on knowledge sharing for fermentation and drying processes aimed at developing flavors that promise sustainability and a fair economy within cocoa production.

Recognized in international venues, Minimal’s dedication to craft and innovation has resulted in impressive accolades—112 awards over 11 years, securing their reputation as leaders in the chocolate industry. Each bite of Minimal chocolate offers a lasting memory, a delightful addition to your culinary journey.

Visit Minimal

Join us at our various locations:
1. Minimal Tomigaya: Located at 2-1-9 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Just a 6-minute walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station.
2. Minimal The Baking Yoyogi Uehara: 1-34-5 Kamiyama, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Only a 2-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station.
3. Patisserie Minimal Soshigaya Okura: 8-8-24 Kinuta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. About 3 minutes on foot from Soshigaya-Okura Station.
4. Minimal The Specialty Azabudai Hills: 5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Directly connected to Kamiyacho Station.
5. Minimal The Edition Sengawa: 3-1-17 Sengawa, Chofu City, Tokyo. Just a 2-minute walk from Sengawa Station.

Together Towards a Sweet Future

As we navigate the sweetness of chocolate and the craft of crafting rum, Minimal invites you to join our adventure of flavor and discovery. Enjoy the aromatic depth of rum-aged chocolate this summer and celebrate the artistry that brings it to life.