Dagoba Conacado Dominican Republic 73% cacao

There's nothing wrong with this chocolate, though there's nothing much outstanding. Fairly bitter for a 73%. There's a nutty (peanut?) flavor in the background, but mostly just chocolate. 6

www.dagobachocolate.com

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Manjari Fresh and Tangy 64% cacao

Fresh and tangy, indeed! This chocolate explodes with many flavors on first taste it and as it melts in your mouth. I get more orange than lemon flavor -- but it's hard to tease it apart! Well worth more study. 8

Bloomsberry Emergency Chocolate 55% Cocoa

Fairly bitter for a 55% cocoa bar. Not much side flavor -- just cocoa. Fine in an emergency. 5

Open Tasting Comments:
E.B.: Kinda flat, but *way* better then milk. 5.5
S.G.: OK - Great concept - smooth, easy. 6
M.G.: Good selection for hot chocolate perhaps? 5
J.L.: Kind of bitter, but I like it! 7
L.P.C: Not much taste. 6.5
Herman: Tastes good. 8

Theo Organic Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao

Some Citrus flavor on first taste, but quickly swamped by earthier strains. Slight bitterness remains as an aftertaste. 5

Open Tasting Notes:
Jeanine: Crisp texture, simple flavor. 7
Matthew: Hints of mango, wetgrass, peat and borscht. Smooth palate. 7
Amy: Not very melty. 6
S.G.: Tart, dirt smooth. 7
Susan: Bitter, unsatisfying. 4
Nouha: Bitter, dry. 4

Equal Exchange Organic Orange Dark Chocolate 65% Cacao

I don't normally taste flavored chocolates, but I bought this bar accidentally in an impulse purchase at the checkout stand. I shared it with colleagues in an open tasting.

Of course the orange flavor dominates. There is some slight bitterness, but the taste is mostly pleasant. 6

Open tasting comments:
Matthew: Intense orange with hint of sweetness -- satisfying. 6
Nouha: I don't like dark chocolate but the flavor of orange gave it a sweet beginning and the ending was less bitter than usual. 9
Jeanine: Nice orange flavor, doesn't overwhelm the chocolate. Chalky aftertaste. 6
David: Tasty. Nice sweet orange flavors.
Amy: I liked it. Orangy. 7
Varun: Not very orangy. Edible. 5

In March I attended the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon at Fort Mason. It was the third year of the "salon," but my first visit. When I think of what is meant by "salon," the definition on Wikipedia comes close to my mental image:

A salon is a gathering of stimulating people of quality under the roof of an inspiring hostess or host, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation and readings, ...

The chocolate salon was a gathering, and I'm sure there were many stimulating people there (there were indeed many people there). I did see an author discussing her book on a chocolate topic with a group of people.









But the "roof" was the cavernous Herbst Pavilion, and try as I might I couldn't find the host or hostess -- perhaps she was engaged in other aspects of the event...

The focus of the event was on the many exhibitors who came, nearly all of whom were offering samples of their product. The place was packed, and people, while generally polite, were insistent on getting to the samples. I hung back to watch for lulls in the waves of people, and would deftly swoop in for a quick strike. While there were many offerings of truffles and other chocolate wares, my focus was on discovering dark chocolates to add to the Choco Check survey.

I encountered some familiar faces, such as Amano, which has made an appearance on this site (and will make more appearances in the future), and Ghirardelli, a historic San Francisco chocolate brand (now manufactured across the bay in San Leandro).

My hunt for "new faces" found a new packaging of dark chocolate from Ghirardelli. They were passing out miniatures of "Twilight Delight," their Intense Dark chocolate with 72% cacao. I reviewed the full sized bar previously and gave it a middling rating, but this had a nice, clean taste -- perhaps they've reworked it, or perhaps my palate is more generous these days.

I also came across Tcho, a brand I had not heard about previously, but which is based on Pier 17 in San Francisco, a short walk from my office. Their signature marketing tool is the "flavor wheel," which are the basis for many of my wine-snob-like comments on the chocolates I check. Their wheel includes "Citrus," "Floral," "Nutty," and several others. At their booth they handed out the wheel on a piece of cardboard, and then offered visitors a chance to place difference chocolates on each flavor so they could compare them with a little guidance.

While hectic, it was overall a fun event. The exhibitors were friendly and eager to show their wares. There are a couple other new faces that I picked up during the event which will find their way to Choco Check. I was disappointed to not see some of my other local favorites here, such as Rechhuiti or Scharffenberger (now owned by Hershey), or more international brands, such a Teuscher, Amedi or Rich Art. The event certainly introduced many San Franciscans to chocolate as more than a snack -- more like an obsession.