Antidote Raw Roasted Organic Ecuador 84% cacao

There is a dull thud when biting into this bar. The mouth-feel is rough, as though there are many micro-nibs as the chocolate melts. At 84% cacao, it is no surprise that this bar is bitter, though there is a steep drop-off in the aftertaste.  The most prominent flavor profile that I notice is an earthiness which I have found to be common among other Ecuadorian chocolates. 6.2

This bar is identified as "Raw + Roasted." Raw chocolate is not heated. I have tasted two raw chocolate bars and had very different experience with them.  The Fine & Raw Ecuador 78% Cacao got an extremely low 4.5, which is the "barely edible" range of my scale, whereas the Fearless Raw Organic Dark Midnight 75% cacao rated a 7.4, which is in the "enjoyable" range.

According to the Antidote website, "Raw + Roasted" means half of the cacao in the bar is raw and the other half is roasted -- seeking the best of both worlds.  Raw chocolate is supposed to have been nutritional elements, whereas the roasted cacao may taste better. This bar is closer to the Fearless than the other, so perhaps it has achieved a compromise taste, but I do not see myself revisiting this bar.

www.antidotechoco.com/

Valrhona Gran Couva 2012 Trinidad 64% cocoa

There is a crisp snap when biting into this bar. Cocoa flavors dominate. Very low bitterness, and an aftertaste that continues the cocoa theme. A respectable bar, not complex. 7.4

On my prior post I shared a photo of the view I was enjoying while tasting the Dick Taylor Madagascar bar. While reviewing this bar I am enjoying another inspirational view, the Sonoma coast. I hope I am objective enough to not let the view influence the review!

Dick Taylor Madagascar 72% cacao

A strong citrus flavor is present, but a surprising chalkiness can be noticed in the finish. This sours the taste experience. Not very bitter, and not much of an aftertaste. 7.2

I expected to really like this bar after my experience with the Dick Taylor Belize Organic 72% cacao bar, to which I gave one of my highest ratings.  I shared this bar with friends while sipping a robust Cabernet Sauvignon, and it did pair well enough, though the chalkiness that I mentioned above was there.

We were sitting on the roof top of the building where one of my friends lives and had a spectacular view of my city, San Francisco.

Soma Dark Peruvian 64% cacao

A woody aspect is my first impression of this bar. It develops into a sweeter, cocoa baseline. The bar has a lighter cocoa content, so bitterness is low and the aftertaste is clean with a rapid fall-off. Not remarkable, but a nice, solid chocolate bar. 7.3

www.somachocolate.com

Michel Cluizel Mokaya Mexico 66% cacao

This is a very mild bar. It has the basics nailed, with clean taste and moderate to low bitterness. Some faint orange notes are present. After most recently tasting the Dick Taylor Belize bar, which had so much happening, this bar is like entering the reading room of a library. Quiet. Thoughtful. 8.0

This is the first Michel Cluizel bar from the "1er Cru de Plantation" series that I have tasted in some time. All of the bars in the series have cacao content below 70%, which may take away a little punch, but does allow the subtle aspects of the cacao to come through.

Dick Taylor Belize Organic 72% cacao

Many flavors compete for attention: citrus, cherry, some earthy bitterness. Together these notes make a symphonic experience. The bitterness is not overpowering, but it is assertive. This is about as good as chocolate can get. 9.8

In addition to the excellent taste of this bar, it has a nice design on the bar's surface.  The maker is located in the upper regions of Northern California in Arcata.


I've reviewed a couple of other Belize single-origin bars, but this one stands out in flavor. I see that there were also some cherry notes that I noticed with the Kakaw Belize 70% "kakaw" bar, and some earthy aspects to the Cotton Tree Chocolate Belize 70% cocoa bar, but these flavors come together superbly in this bar.

www.dicktaylorchocolate.com

deRochonnet Delights Dark Chocolate

This bar provides a nice chocolate experience. Rich cocoa on first taste. The aftertaste has a strong edge of bitterness. Some cherry notes are apparent.  7.4

I received this bar from my brother, who lives in the town where it is made, Midlothian, Virginia. The bar does not list the cocoa content, but I would estimate it to be at least 65% cocoa.

The business card that my brother included indicates that the owner has done extensive study on the practice of making chocolate. As my review indicates, the bar has great taste, though I did see some surface defects on the bar's front (I circled an example in the picture). This is a very minor point, and it does distinguish bars made by small manufacturers and those made by high-volume manufacturers.

www.deRochonnetdelights.com

Peet's Dark Chocolate 72% cacao

I'm having a hard time distinguishing this bar from the previously reviewed 64% cacao Peet's chocolate bar.  It has the same rich cocoa taste, with a possible under-layer of cinnamon. This bar tastes a little more bitter, and not in a nice way. 6.9