Sjaaks Organic Extra Dark 70% cocoa

This bar is organic, vegan and fair trade. But how does it taste? Pretty good—low bitterness, some chalkiness. There are background flavors which play out in a subtle sweetness. The aftertaste lasts moderately long—sufficient for the experience. 6.8

www.sjaaks.com

Andrea Stainer Grenada 80% cocoa

Strong, sharp and direct cocoa flavor. Some chalkiness, very little aftertaste. 6.4

Amatller Extra Fine 70% cocoa

Very strong coffee flavor -- not sure where that comes from!  Otherwise, rich cocoa flavor, perhaps some nutty, walnut flavor.  Very bitter for a 70% cocoa bar, and a long aftertaste. 7.1

This chocolate is a product of Spain, and is one of the few bars of chocolate I've had in a while that does not list a website address.  Fortunately, there's always Google:

www.chocolates-amatller.com

Elite Bittersweet Chocolate Coins

One of my other interests is collecting coins, so I had to add these chocolate coins to my collection. The bag has three quarters (dates 1995) and one Kennedy half-dollar (dated 1980). The image work on the dollar looks good on both sides.  I bought a second bag that also has three quarters, but has an Eisenhower dollar instead of the half-dollar. For this set, the quarter is respectable on the obverse (front), but amateurish on the reverse (back).  Naturally, some details are left out from the coins -- no e pluribus unum motto.


As for the chocolate -- it's about as you'd expect for a novelty item.  A bit chalky, strong cocoa, your basic bittersweet chocolate.

Another interesting note: this product is made in Israel.

Cadbury Royal Dark

When I reviewed the Meiji Black chocolate I said it reminded me of "other mass market chocolate bars" like Cadbury. Indeed, now that I'm reviewing the Cadbury Dark, it reminds me a lot of Meiji Black. Not a remarkable chocolate -- chalky, not bitter, very cocoa. 6.2

It may be by appointment to H.M The Queen, but it's owned by Hershey's.

www.hersheys.com

Amedei Toscano Black 70% cocoa

Strong dark chocolate with considerable bitterness.  Perhaps I'm getting used to strong dark chocolate, because the bitterness feels right and underscores the cocoa flavors.  No side flavors to note.  7.7

Additional note:
The name and packaging may have changed, but this is likely the same bar that I tasted previously: Amedei Tuscany Cioccolato Fondente Extra 70%, which I rated 8.0.

Zotter Labooko Single Peru 80% cocoa

This chocolate announces itself with a sharp taste on the tongue. Bitter, yes, but other flavors assert themselves and build an interesting palate of flavors.  Citrus and cinnamon dominate. 8.0

www.zotter.at

Valrhona Ampamakia Madagascar 64% cocoa

A gentle and flavorful chocolate. Classic Madagascar flavorfulness, but gentler due to the lower cocoa content. Very low bitterness, but still a nice aftertaste. 7.9

Christopher Elbow No. 14 85% cacao

Rich cocoa flavor, with a level of bitterness conensurate with the high cocoa content of this bar. No side flavors that are noticeable. 7.1