I've had not so wonderful results with previous Trader Joe's chocolates, but I was intrigued when I came across the "Chocolate Palette" at our local T.J.'s. Eight bars, all from different origins: Venezuela, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Dominican Republic, Peru, Ghana, Ecuador and São Tomé. The cocoa content ranges from 60% to 73%, so no extra-strong bars. I'll give each bar a taste and let you know what I find.
More successful, I think, in achieving the "fruity" taste that identifies this bar. Kiwi fruit. Cherry. Maybe even pear. Nice flavor journey from beginning to end. No bitterness, but a memorable aftertaste. 8
I'm not really getting the "citrus" aspect of this chocolate -- there's a little tang to the taste, but no lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime or even tangerine. There's a good amount of bitterness, more than I want for a casual bite of chocolate, but enough to keep me interested when I'm up for a challenge. Good snap. Smooth aftertaste. 7
Nice aroma from the bar. Strong nutty taste, has almost a coffee bean flavor. Bitterness is present, but not persistent -- eases off in the aftertaste. I'm not a fan of chocolate with nutty flavors, so points off for that. 6.5
Quite bitter, but the rich chocolate balances the bitterness. The flavor is fruity, mostly cherry. This is a well built bar. Nice snap, smooth melting. 7
Strong, flavorful chocolate, particularly for a 55% cocoa bar. Fruity, dare I imagine some pineapple notes? The bar breaks crisply and melts slowly in the mouth. An excellent chocolate. 8.5
Simple, clean, pleasant, uninspired. 6.5
This is a fine semi-sweet chocolate. Unlike the Rechiutti Dark Milk 55% Cocoa bar, which has a distinct "milk chocolate" taste, this bar does not. It is certainly less bitter than the high cocoa Teuscher bars, but keeps the chocolate dimension of the flavor prominent. There is not much in the way of side flavor tones, just cocoa. Those who do not like high cocoa bars will love this one, and those who do like high cocoa bars will find an enjoyable experience. 8
Bitter taste -- bracing, but not over-strong. Some peppery angles to the first bite. Makes you wonder what's coming next. Not a lot, but the aftertaste stays with you -- maybe it would die down with a Port chaser. 7
I was surprised to like this bar as much as I do. I associate "organic" chocolate with other bars I've tasted with that label, and they were not great. This bar has a crisp snap when broken, a pleasant aroma when sniffed, and a tangy, rich choclate flavor, and a smooth finish. All the elements of a great tasting experience. 8.5
As I was walking about downtown San Francisco, I stopped by Teuscher's to see what they had that was new (picked up a 55% cocoa bar that I'll be trying out later), and decided to walk up the hill for a visit to Richart. I was disappointed to see a sign on their door explaining that they had closed in June.
If you're feeling mopey as a result of this (a bit stale) news, then head over to Noe Valley for a visit to a born-in-San Francisco chocolate store experience. On another wander about town, I noticed the Chocolate Covered store. It was closed when I took this blurry phone snap, but I came back later for a visit. The window in front of the store is packed with tin boxes of all shapes and sizes that are imprinted with the names of San Francisco streets and all kinds of other pictures.
I had not posted the reviews for an open tasting that I had done back in May -- so this one is a little late. The Asante bar is one of Scharffen Berger's Single Origin chocolates, similar to the Tome-Acu 68% cacao bar that was tasted earlier.
This is the last of the three open tastings.
This is the second of three open tasting with the Sales Productivity Chocolate Club.
In August I once again hosted the Sales Productivity team's Chocolate Club tastings. This is the first of three "open tastings" that week.
The chocolate is 55% cocoa, and the cranberry does enhance the flavor. It gives a piquant sweetness that is a nice blend of flavors. The chocolate appears well made, and has little aftertaste on its own. With the cranberry, the aftertaste is -- cranberry! Very enjoyable.
The theme for this Tcho bar is "Chocolatey" -- and that it is. It nearly hits you over the head with an intense dose of chocolate flavor -- there are some side flavors -- hazelnut comes through. Not much bitterness, just enough to keep the flavor ringing. While it's a respectable enough bar, I am not a fan of such strong chocolate taste. I like it more subtle. 6
When chewed, the fruit flavors jump out from this chocolate. Citrus, plum, cherry. When melting in the mouth, the flavors creep slowly from the chocolate. Very nice. 8
I recently traveled to Great Britain for vacation, and visited Wales during the trip. One stop was to the Welsh National Assembly building, a beautifully built structure, very airy, though it reminded me of Danish modern styling. In the gift shop were a number of Welsh originated products, and I picked up a couple of chocolate bars. This is the first of the two.
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
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
Fairly bitter for a 55% cocoa bar. Not much side flavor -- just cocoa. Fine in an emergency. 5
Some Citrus flavor on first taste, but quickly swamped by earthier strains. Slight bitterness remains as an aftertaste. 5
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.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.
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.
This is tough love -- the taste is robust and persistent. A long, lingering after taste that is full of warmth and excitement. A musky flavor, similar to moist oak, lingers as the chocolate melts in your mouth. 7
Second tasting: (see also http://chococheck.blogspot.
Very milky on entrance. You can tell it's "dark" rather than pure milk chocolate, but it is such a mild and sweet chocolate that the similarity to milk chocolate becomes apparent. It certainly can't be very high in cocoa content. Non-offensive, and pleasant enough. No flavors are apparent -- it's the simple stuff. 6
Rich chocolate, perky and grabs your attention. Some almond notes, and some fruity flavor (blueberry, perhaps). 8
Simple, but clean, chocolate flavor. Some citrus echoes in the back, but overall, uncomplicated. Smooth finish, does not linger much. 7
Sweet. Warm Tastes. 6
Pure chocolate. No bitterness. Elegant from start to finish. 8
Some fruit notes. Smooth finish. 7
A powerful shot of chocolate on first taste, ringing with flavors, cherry the strongest voice. The ending is not smooth -- but it is also not a rough ride. No chalkiness, but echoes of bitterness that reminds you of what you just experienced. 8
Strong fruit flavor on first taste, though I would lean more to the cherry side than apple/pear. Even dark chocolate flavor from beginning to end. Aftertaste has some citrus aspects. 8
Rich chocolate flavor -- bordering on the milk chocolate side, but it backs off from it at the last minute. The cocoa percentage is not stated, but I'd guess it's on the low side for a Dark. Very tastable, and though I'm not a coffee drinker, I would think it would stand up to a Starbucks brew. 7
