Coppeneur Uba Budo São Tomé 72% cocoa

This is a very nice bar, with several distinct flavors.  There is a faint orange/citrus note, and a rich, rummy taste. No bitterness, and an even finish.  8.5

Coppeneur put this bar in a similar package as the Coppeneur Ocumare Venezuela 72% cocoa I reviewed previously.  However, the bar was broken despite its stiff cardboard packaging. The bar was not damaged, though.

Meiji BLACK Chocolate

I found this bar in a small Japanese convenience store in my neighborhood.  Meiji is available in milk chocolate as well as this semi-sweet format.  This is also the first Japanese chocolate I've tried, though it is clearly not in the "gourmet" market.  The bar reminds me more of the mass-market semi-sweets bars from Hersheys or Cadbury.  The label is in Japanese, so I could not find a mention of percentage of cocoa in the bar.

At that point of measurement, Meiji BLACK is an acceptable and approachable.  Very rich in cocoa flavor, with a noticeable sweetness.  There is no bitterness, but a certain amount of pucky tartness from the heavy cocoa flavor.  Not bad, though also not great.  6.0

www.meiji.co.jp

François Pralus Madagascar 75% cocoa

This is a classic Madagascar bar.  Full of fruity flavor, both citrus and cherry.  Rich in cocoa, but not very bitter. Very nice finish -- smooth, but hearty.  9.2

Compare to my review of the Pralus Trinidad bar:

François Pralus Trinidad 75% cocoa

Mast Brothers Sambirano Valley (Madagascar) 72% cacao

I have previously reviewed another Mast Brothers Madagascar bar, but this bar may be different.  It's label states that it is from the Sambirano Valley of Madagascar.  Comparing my prior notes to my response to this bar, it does taste different as well.  There is more bitterness and less fruity flavor.  There is still some there, but it is less pronounced.  I am also not tasting the cherry notes of the prior bar.  Still, a very respectable chocolate.  7.7

Perhaps it's time for a blind tasting, to determine whether the differences are in my imagination!

Seeds of Change Organic 61% cacao

Creamy texture, but with a touch of bitterness. Faint tea flavor, perhaps camomile. 6.7

This bar is 3 ounces, but is packaged in three individually wrapped bars. This makes it an easy three servings of 140 calories each.

Seedsofchangechocolate.com

Recchuiti Classic Truffles

Before Christmas I purchased a box of Recchiuti Classic Truffles.   I just came across the box and have been enjoying them.  They are classic, indeed.  The outside has a dusting of cocoa powder, while inside is a rich dark chocolate creamy filling.  The ingredients are very simple: "Dark chocolate, cream, sugar, butter, cocoa powder".  Quite a great treat.

Bissinger Rainforest 75% cocoa

Strong nutty flavor, fairly bitter. Aftertaste also starts bitter, but tapers quickly to the base cocoa taste. 7.1

Kakaw Belize 70% "kakaw"

This is the first Belizean chocolate I have tasted.  It has a very sharp snap when broken.  Also, it's fairly bitter for a 70% bar.  There are mostly nutty flavor notes, though I taste some faint cherry elements.  This bar is worth additional tastings, but it will be difficult -- it was brought home from Belize by a colleague who vacationed there.  That makes it a good excuse to plan a trip to Belize!  7.9

www.belizechocolatecompany.com

(Check out their website -- they have a fun introduction to their love of chocolate.)

Cachet Peru 64% Cocoa

This bar has a bright, sweet flavor.  Some cherry notes, and some faint floral aspects.  There is no bitterness, and as a result there's a nice cocoa finish.  Very enjoyable.  8.2

www.kimchoc.be