Dandelion India Anamalai 70% cacao

This review covers two bars created from cacao from Anamalai, India: the 2018 harvest and the 2019 harvest with nutmeg fermentation.

The 2018 harvest is fairly bitter, with flavors of toffee and lemon curds. The aftertaste is lengthy, carrying on the bitter note. 8.4

The 2019 harvest with nutmeg fermentation is less bitter. The lemon flavor is stronger and it is accompanied by an element of cherry. The aftertaste is also less bitter, resulting in a shorter duration. 9.5

All cacao undergoes fermentation as part of the post-harvest preparation of the beans. The label reports that the nutmeg fermentation is "spiced" from the use of that ingredient as part of the fermentation. However I did not taste any hint of nutmeg, and the bar was not at all spicy. The nutmeg fermentation seemed to moderate the bitterness of the other bar, though it is a different harvest year.

Dandelion Brazil Vale Potumuju 70% cacao

This bar is fairly bitter, with a roasted profile and a tinge of charcoal. I also taste some notes of fig. The aftertaste lingers as the bitterness fades. 7.8

French Broad Nicaragua 68% cacao

This bar has moderate bitterness with smooth texture. The flavor is creamy with a tinge of egg yolk, along with a charcoal edge of toast. The aftertaste is clean and short. 8.2

MIA Madagascar 75% cacao

A sniff of this bar presents a fudgy aroma, though on tasting the flavors are more balanced. The primary note is earthy, tending towards woody. Underlying this is a spicy note, reminiscent of spike cake. 7.9

Ingredients: Cacao mass, cane sugar, cacao butter, emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)

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Amedei Jamaica 70% cacao

The initial taste of this bar is bitter with a rich chocolate taste reminiscent of fudge. This contrasts with my previous experience with this bar from 2010: Amedei I Cru Jamaica 70% cacao   I noted that the taste was not very bitter, "dark, but sweet." In this tasting the sweetness is minimal and the bitterness is prominent. I wonder whether the cacao changed or my taste has changed in the ensuing years. In the prior review I noted orange notes and almond flavor. I can taste some of both, but they are not prominent. I am also noticing some graininess in the texture of the bar as it melts. While my prior experience rated the bar higher, this experience does not rise to it.  7.6.

As you see in the prior post, I included a note from the label in the comments. This bar's label has the exact same note, mentioning citrus fruits, butter and fruit jams. The orange flavor I taste accounts for the cirtus flavor, which is still present. The bitterness, though, draws out a coffee note which I did not notice in the 2010 review.

But I wonder whether Amedei would consider updating the label if the bar's flavor notes have changed as significantly as my tasting indicates?

Dick Taylor Mexico Soconusco 72% cacao

This bar presents with a fudgy texture, with a toasty roasted flavor and moderate bitterness.  The aftertaste continues with the bitter edge. As always from Dick Taylor Chocolate, the bar is well made. 8.2

 Ingredients: Cacao, Cane Sugar

This is a limited release bar, and the first I have tasted of theirs from Mexico.

Dandelion Brazil Vale Potumuju 2019 70% cacao

This is a very rich chocolate, a buttery caramel profile along with a jammy fruit flavor. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste is short. 9.2