Dandelion Honduras Wampu 70% cacao

This is a very flavorful bar. There is a fruity taste, on the apricot and plum side of the palette. This gives the bar a sweet profile, which is bolstered by a low level of bitterness.  9.2

The label notes say: "We taste classic dark chocolate, macadamia nut, and honeycomb." The sweetness I taste may translate into the honeycomb mentioned on the label, but I miss the honey part.  I do not taste macadamia nut, but as for "classic dark chocolate," well, sure.

Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain (2017) 85% cacao

I am tasting the Dandelion Belize 85% at the same time I have tasted the Belize 70%. Certainly the 85% cacao bar is richer and more bitter then the 70%. This, of course, is why one buys the 85% bar over to 70%. So this bar delivers the punch. There is a similar roasted taste profile, with some charcoal and coffee components.

I am not sure how the taster who writes the label notes gets these flavors: "In the bar, we taste notes of ripe tropical fruits, honey, and buttermilk."  Once again, as with the 70% bar, I taste none of this.  7.4

Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain (2017) 70% cacao

I previously reviewed Dandelion's Maya Mountain chocolate in this post: Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain 70% cacao. That bar was made from the 2014 harvest of that plantation, whereas the present bar is from the 2017 harvest.

In that post I noted that the chocolate was "fairly bitter." The 2017 bar is also bitter, with a charcoal tinge. The label reports: "In this bar, we taste honey, sweet strawberry wine, and chocolate ice cream." I taste none of that. 6.9

Omnom Nicaragua 73% cacao

This bar has a bitter edge to it, which smoky roasted taste. Yet there is a buttery aspect, with a taste of toffee in the mix. Aftertaste is lengthy due to the bitter bite. 7.3

Ingredients: Organic cocoa beans from Nicaragua, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin (E322)

$8.99 / 2.1 oz. (60g)

I purchased this bar directly from Omnom on-line. It was a "care package" for the days of staying at home. I posted a Tweet showing all of the bars I purchased.

Åkesson's Brazil Fazenda Sempre Firme 75% cacao

As this chocolate dissolves, a taste of toffee is prominent. Some cherry flavors arise in the aftertaste, which is moderately bitter. 9.1

Ingredients: Cocoa (min. 75%), cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, emulsifier (GMO-free soya lecithin).

$9 / 2.2 oz. (60 g)

The label sports two awards -- the Academy of Chocolate award is fairly clear, but what is "Great Taste 2017"? Checking out their website, one can find that it is a British group focused on identifying fine local foods.  While Åkesson's is based on London, the label indicates that the bar is made in France.

Honduras Chocolate Company Honduras 70% cacao

This bar has a rich chocolate flavor with a charcoal edge. Caramel has a strong presence in the flavor profile. While there is some bitterness on the front, the aftertaste is smooth and mild. 7.8

Ingredients: Naturally Grown Cacao, Pure Cane Sugar.

www.HondurasChocolateCompany.com

The label prominently proclaims "Never Bitter." It also says they take the BITTER out of Dark Chocolate. However an important element of dark chocolate is the bitter aspect. Many people do not like a lot of bitterness, but even a 90% cacao has fans. No need to throw shade on the bitter edge!