Potomac Chocolate Upala 70% cocoa

Earthy taste, but with a cherry note that pops out initially.   Strong aftertaste that stays with you, but is not overpowering. Fairly bitter, but nicely balanced.  The bar appears well-made. 8.3

PotomacChocolate.com

I obtained this bar at one my my local chocolate stores, but I will be traveling to Virgina/Washington D.C. this weekend and it seemed like a good time to try this bar.  Woodbridge, where this bar is made, is in the greater Washington area, a bit to the south of it.  The label indicates that this is handcrafted there.  I'll add the label notes to the Comments section.

Coco-Luxe is now Stanza in the Haight

This weekend I noticed that the former Coco-Luxe cafe on Haight Street has been transformed into Stanza.  I reviewed their Roark chocolate earlier. The main change seems to be that they have added wine to their focus, with a menu that includes tastings with chocolate and wine pairings.

I tried a couple of their chocolate squares -- one they said was 75% cocoa, the other 65%, both unlabeled.  I asked where it was made, and the barista/sommelier/cocoa steward said that it was made by "some guy in  Oakland".  Okay, then!

The squares were okay, not I'm not going to review them here.  They were, however, ridiculously expensive. $1.50 for what looked to be less than 10 grams of chocolate.

El Ceibo Bolivia 75% cocoa

Starkly bitter, though there is some sweetness in a strong cherry note. Some of the nuttiness seen in the El Ceibo Heritage bar tasted earlier.  The bitterness lingers more strongly in the aftertaste.  7.0

El Ceibo Bolivia Heritage 75% cocoa

Very flavorful chocolate, earthy and nutty, but with raisin and cherry notes popping out. Fairly bitter in the aftertaste, but the interest of the early experience of this chocolate keeps that bitterness in line. 7.7

www.elceibo.com

Escazú Costa Rica 65% cacao

Sharply bitter with a long aftertaste.  Earthy flavors dominate, with nutmeg.  6.5

I previously  reviewed the Escazu Carenero Venezuela 81% cacao that I picked up on my trip to Raleigh, the home town for Escazú.  I was not able to buy the Costa Rica 65% bar at their store, but I was able to find it at one of my go-to chocolate stores here in the city, Chocolate Covered in Noe Valley.

I like this bar a little more than the Venezuela bar, but not a lot more.  There are no nibs in this bar, but the surface has the same flaws -- small mold errors.  I'm glad I had a chance to compare this to the 81%, but I have the same bottom line reaction to this bar.

Bittersweet Ghana 72% Cacao

There's a lot going on with this bar.  Cherry notes are most prominent, but some raisin and nutty aspects present themselves.  Fairly low bitterness, with a gentle aftertaste. The bar dissolves in the mouth in a way that seems different, becoming soft quickly, but then slowly disintegrating.

This a well made bar -- with a crisp snap, and a rich cocoa bouquet.  The package is clearly hand-wrapped, and done with care.  The mold used for the bar is novel, with flowers embossed and an interesting two-level surface.  8.3

www.bittersweetcafe.com

This bar was a gift from my friend Kyle, who attended a tasting where this bar was found.  Bittersweet Cafe has stores in the east bay, but apparently also has one here in the city.  I will have to try to find it!

François Pralus São Tomé & Principe 75% cacao

This bar has significant bitterness, and a strong nutty taste. The aftertaste is comparatively gentle, but has a chalky component. 7.9