Marcolini Carré2 Peru Alto Piura 85% cacao

This bar has little of the fruitiness I have tasted in other Peruvian chocolate. Perhaps this is due to its fairly high cacao percentage, which also leads to a good deal of bitterness. There is also some "chalkiness," a term I use to describe an of astringent effect with no sweetness. When this bar is chewed rather than allowed to melt on the tongue, the chalkiness is greatly diminished and some fruit and sweetness emerges. 6.7

I brought this bar with me on my recent trip to London and Ireland. My intention was to review this bar and two others during my trip, but in the end the review had to wait for my return home.

During the trip I had my eye out for local dark chocolate, most, if not all, of which I would not find in San Francisco. The selection of chocolates from Ireland shown here will be reviewed in future posts, along with some that I purchased in London.

François Pralus Brasil 75% cacao

Powerful flavors, robust cocoa and a back story reminiscent of a smoky bourbon. More bitter than the average 75% cocoa bar. There is a long lasting aftertaste. This chocolate stays with you. 8.0

Karl Fazer 70% cocoa

The cocoa flavor from this chocolate has a distinct coffee tone. It is fairly bitter, but the finish is smooth. The aftertaste is persistent, perhaps best cleared with a sip of Port. 6.6

I was given these pieces by a friend who had just returned from a trip to Europe. Karl Fazer is a Finnish company, but my friend had been visiting Germany.

www.fazer.com

Atelier Isabelle Dark 53% cacao

Rich cocoa is the prominent flavor of this bar. It has a crisp snap when broken. Simple but tasty. 7.2

The design on this bar is of a familiar style for followers of this blog.  Atelier Isabelle Costa Rica has a dramatic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, while this bar's playful scene is of decorating the tree. Both have bright foil wrapping and colorful prints with highlights of glitter.

Dandelion Venezuela Mantauano 70% cacao

After tasting many nice, but unexciting, bars of chocolate, it was a pleasure to taste this bar and be greeted by a nice mix of flavors. Cherry is at the front, with a surprising tomato note in the background. Very low bitterness, but there is a sweet aftertaste. 9.0

Thomas Haas Bold 83% cacao

The label calls this bar "bold" and that label does apply.  When allowed to melt in the mouth, the bar is fairly bitter, which is to be expected, and has a persistent aftertaste that is not altogether pleasant. When chewed, some fruit notes appear and the aftertaste improves. I would therefore recommend chewing, and having a more pleasant experience. 7.0

ThomasHaas.com

Safeway Select Dark Chocolate 78% Cacao

Not very bitter for a fairly high cacao content bar. Not complex, but that is a good feature. Clean, simple chocolate. 7.3