CocoAndré Chocolatier and Rush Patisserie will be the first exclusive Texas carriers of Marañón Chocolate’s thought-to-be-extinct Pure Nacional Cacao starting August 11, 2011. CocoAndré Chocolatier will debut the Fortunato No. 4 Chocolate Bar and the Fortunato No. 4 Truffle and Rush Patisserie will debut the Fortunato No. 4 Macaron first to the food and restaurant industry professionals and media in samplings on August 11 and 12 and then to the general public on Saturday, August 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Space is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 214.718.2384 to make a reservation.

Master chocolatier Andrea Pedraza and pastry chef Samantha Rush, who have been awarded exclusive regional rights in Dallas Fort Worth, join an elite list of leading professionals utilizing Marañón’s Fortunato No. 4 Pure Nacional.

Lost for nearly 100 years, Pure Nacional is famous for its rare flora, fruity and nutty flavors. It was re-discovered by Dan Pearson and Brian Horsely in the Marañón Canyon in Northern Peru. The name Fortunato Number 4 refers to the name of the farmer who has the mother tree of the Pure Nacional. The number four refers to the number of the sample DNA tested by the USDA/ ARS Laboratory that proved the authenticity and rediscovery of the Pure Nacional as indigenous to Peru. After two years of site visits, additional testing and developing relationships with not only Fortunato, but other farmers in the region, Marañón Chocolate was founded to offer this exclusive chocolate to chefs and consumers.

“The chocolate industry is a small, close group. Both Samantha and Andrea came highly recommended by another one of our partners, as experts in their field who would preserve the integrity of our Fortunato No. 4 Pure Nacional chocolate,” says Dan Pearson, President of Marañón Chocolate. “We’re excited about CocoAndré Chocolatier and Rush Patisserie joining us in introducing this fine chocolate to the North Texas area.”

The media and food and restaurant samplings will be scheduled for August 11 and 12. The public is invited to the launch on Saturday August 13. For more information or to reserve space, please call 214.718.2384.