Chocolove Organic 61% cocoa

I have been a fan of Chocolove bars: The Rich Dark 65%, the Strong Dark 70% and the Extra Strong Dark 77% cocoa bars. I've also liked the love poems included in these bars -- a nice bit of whimsy to go with the treat.

Some of this is missing from the organic offering from Chocolove. There is no poem, though there is a note about the making of the bar. At only 61% cocoa, maybe I'm missing some of the punch I've come to expect from the other bars. The "chalky" texture is prominent, which is less pleasing to me. There are some subtle flavors, most notable when the chocolate melts quietly in the mouth. There's a faint cherry flavor, certainly. The bar has very little bitterness, which is to be expected from the low cocoa content, so the finish is smooth. 6.6

Bernard Castelain Intense 77% cocoa

I usually read the comments that the manufacturer puts on the label after tasting the bar, but this time I happened to read this quote first: "The richness of cocoa from South America and Africa develops a bitter note in the mouth. The ideal chocolate."

Bitterness is indeed a significant element of dark chocolate -- it enhances the resonance of the chocolate flavor, lengthens its duration, and can provide a framework upon which other dimensions of the bar are displayed. But simple bittnerness does not in itself make a chocolate bar "ideal." The bitterness needs to be mediated and managed to produce an overall pleasant effect. The ultimate in bitterness is pure cocoa, also known as unsweetened chocolate, also indicated with "100% cocoa." Most people do not find 100% pure chocolate the ideal chocolate, though everyone will likely describe it as "bitter."

This bar does display the bitterness they advertise, but there's little else that's going on. The bitterness lasts a little too long, and there is no nuance to the experience. It earns the title "Intense," but it has a way to go to earn the title "ideal." 6.4

www.chocolat-castelain.com

Bissinger's All-Natural 75% cocoa

This bar presents itself like a milk chocolate, though it is clearly labeled as 75% cocoa dark. Certainly there's a bitter edge, though it falls off nicely in the aftertaste. The overall effect is not entirely to my liking. 6.3

Valor Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa

Strong chocolate taste with an edge of bitterness. Earthy flavor, some walnut notes. Respectable. 7.1

madécasse "mellow & subtle" Madagascar 67% Cocoa

First taste of this bar is slightly metallic, but that fades fairly quickly. There are some cherry notes, not much else. So I agree with the "subtle," but the initial metallic taste harshes my "mellow." 6.9

Feodora Grand'Or 75% cacao

Strong chocolate flavor with some slightly metallic elements. Not very bitter. 6.5

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Guanaja "bittersweet & elegant" 70% cacao

My first impression from this chocolate is spiciness -- a piquant burst on first taste. This is followed by some bitterness that builds a strong chocolate presence. There is a lengthy taper of flavor as a result as the chocolate melts. 7.0

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Alpaco "floral & oaky" 66% cacao

A richer chocolate taste than the Caraibe -- warmer and smoother. The bar describes itself as "floral & oaky" -- I taste the oakiness, but the floral part escapes me, though perhaps there are some floral notes when I sniff the bar. There's a quick finish to the taste due to the low bitterness -- so there's no lingering memory of the experience. Very tasty. 7.1

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Caraïbe "balanced & velvety" 66% cacao

A gentle dark chocolate -- very little bitterness. Some floral flavors, some fruity. Not much "snap" when breaking the bar, but it has a nice even color and appearance. 7.3

Green & Black's Organic Bittersweet Dark Chocolate 85% cocoa

I tasted this chocolate at our weekly low-stakes poker game at work. Three of us tasted the chocolate and we got three thumbs up. There is none of the chalkiness you might expect from such a high percent cocoa bar, and the bitterness was well balanced giving a nice finish. This chocolate is full bodied, with some earthy flavors. One of us thought it was very flavorful. 7

Compare this to the Green & Black's 70% bar that I reviewed quite a while back. Given the more positive response I've had to the 85% bar, it would probably be worthwhile for me to taste this one again to see if the bar or my taste has changed in the 2 1/2 years since I last tried it.

www.greenandblacks.com