Michel Cluizel 1er Cru de Plantation "Vila Gracinda" São Tomé 67% cocoa

This bar has a very different flavor profile from the other Michel Cluizel chocolates I've tasted. This one is much more nutty and there are, perhaps, some coffee elements. Not very bitter, but certainly tart. Quite a long aftertaste. 6.5

Slitti GranCacao 73% cacao

Rich cocoa flavor, edging towards earthy. Fairly bitter, so this chocolate is somewhat challenging to the uninitiated. A true organoleptic experience. 6.7

Neuhaus São Tomé 74% cacao

Nice, lively chocolate. Hint of raspberry. Clean taste, low on bitterness. The finish is clean with echos of the fruit theme. 7.5

Amedei I Cru Ecuador 70% cacao

Very crisp snap when broken. Fairly bitter compared to other Amedei I Cru bars tasted recently. Interesting flavors during tasting -- no citrus or fruit. The flavors are earthy, reminiscent of nutmeg. There's a gentle finish, but edging towards metallic. 6.8

Additional note, July 25, 2010
When I first tasted this bar, I had just taken some medicine that may have affected my sense of taste. I saved a few pieces of this bar and tasted them today. I'm happy to report that the metallic taste is gone, and the bitterness that I noticed on first taste is reduced. I've revised the rating up to 7.2

Trader Joe's Organic 73% super dark 73% cocoa

Very similar to other TJ's chocolates that I've tasted at this cocoa percentage. Some chalkiness is apparent, but there is some side-tone notes of citrus. No bitterness, with little aftertaste. This would be fine if not for the chalky texture. 6.2

Theo Organic Costa Rica 91% Cacao

I expect chocolate with this high percentage cocoa to really punch one's mouth with bitterness. This bar has a punch, but it's a gentle one. The bitterness starts slowly, doesn't peak highly, and tapers gently. Not much chalkiness either. There is not much side flavor -- there's little room for it in the overall strong chocolate taste. The label talks about "bright fruit and nutty flavors" -- I do not taste any fruit elements, but I can see how one would get nuttiness -- maybe walnut.

If you are looking for a chocolate with strength but not one that's over-muscled, this one will do. 6.7

$3.99 Tower Market, SF

www.theochocolate.com

Astor Washington DC Dark Chocolate

Last week I visited the Washington, DC area, and came across this bar at the airport gift shop. Being a "completist" in the area of dark chocolate, I felt obligated to purchase the bar. A person should not expect a lot from novelty chocolates, so I approached it with an open mind.

No cocoa content percentage is mentioned on the label, so I would guess it's between 50% and 60%. There's a strong milky element, likely to make it familiar to the casual chocolate eater. You will not find very much bitterness here, but the chocolate does liven your palate with sharp, nearly acidic, activity.

This is not a great bar, but it's not an awful bar either. With lowered expectations, you may find this souvenir of your trip to Washington a good snack on the plane ride home. 5.8

www.astorchocolate.com

Amedei I Cru Jamaica 70% cacao

Dark, but sweet. Very little bitterness, clean taste. A hint of orange flavor, along with a jot of almond. 8.0

Amedei I Cru Grenada 70% cacao

A strong fruity flavor, cherry. Smooth taste throughout, nice finish. Subtle bitterness, not intrusive on the experience. 7.8

Mast Brothers Dominican Republic 81% cacao

This chocolate has two faces. When it melts in the mouth, the initial experience is intense bitterness. This evolves into a chalky texture and no noticeable side flavors.

The other side of this bar is seen when chewed. The bitterness does not have time to present itself and the chalkiness is not seen.

My recommendation: chew this bar. 6.2