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/