Seed and Bean Extra Dark 72% cocoa

The taste is deep in cocoa, with some metallic edges. A bit grainy on the texture. Aftertaste is astringent and bitter. 6.8 Bar includes vanilla extract.

www.seedandbean.co.uk

This is the first in a series of bars I bought while visiting London in October. Many of the bars I purchased while in Dublin and London had "additional ingredients," as I mentioned in an earlier post. I will not these after the rating for any bars in this group which have additions.

Alter Eco Dark Blackout 85% cocoa

Robust and bitter, not surprising for 85% cocoa. Faint fruit notes, cherry and raisin, can be tasted. Bitterness continues with the aftertaste. 7.7

This is yet another local San Francisco chocolate maker.

www.alterecofoods.com

Durci Peru Marañón Joya Rara 70% cacao

The taste of this bar starts with sweetness and develops into a palette of fruit and floral flavors. Some caramel flavor is present as well. Clean aftertaste and a nice finish. 8.9

Durci Domincan Republic Taíno Secret 70% cacao

This chocolate has a sharp edge to it. Astringent on the tongue, dry in the aftertaste. The flavors the result from this are woody, with a faint cherry note. 7.1

This bar has a very nice mold, with a stark figure that mirrors the image under the white band on the front of the package.

www.durci.com

Soma Madagascar Black Science 70% cacao

This bar starts out slowly, without showy flavor bursts, but brings out the flavors as it melts in your mouth. Citrus tartness along with cherry sweetness balance out the flavors. These are mostly missed when the bar is chewed. Very clean cacao tastes with a gentle aftertaste. 9.6

I always appreciate when a chocolate maker takes the effort to create an interesting or artistic design on their bars. Soma is located in Toronto, and their mold is a map of Toronto's central area. Here is a link to a google map view of Toronto where you can compare the bar's street layout.