The Chocolate Tree: Cranberry 55% cacao Hand crafted organic chocolate

I normally only review plain, dark chocolate, but as I was wandering Edinburgh in June, I came across a set of very pretty chocolates. These were all combined with different ingredients: ginger, pepper, orange. I selected the cranberry.


The chocolate is 55% cocoa, and the cranberry does enhance the flavor. It gives a piquant sweetness that is a nice blend of flavors. The chocolate appears well made, and has little aftertaste on its own. With the cranberry, the aftertaste is -- cranberry! Very enjoyable.

From the Label:
Made in East Lothian
www.the-chocolate-tree.co.uk URL changed to:

www.choctree.co.uk 

Tcho Dark Chocolate "Chocolatey" Ghana 70% Cacao

The theme for this Tcho bar is "Chocolatey" -- and that it is. It nearly hits you over the head with an intense dose of chocolate flavor -- there are some side flavors -- hazelnut comes through. Not much bitterness, just enough to keep the flavor ringing. While it's a respectable enough bar, I am not a fan of such strong chocolate taste. I like it more subtle. 6

http://www.tcho.com



You may remember that I first came across Tcho at the San Francisco Chocolate Salon this spring. You can read my comments about Tcho's Flavor Wheel at the Chococheck post I made for the salon.

Patric Chocolate Madagascar Sambirano Valley Micro-Batch Dark Chocolate 67% Cacao

When chewed, the fruit flavors jump out from this chocolate. Citrus, plum, cherry. When melting in the mouth, the flavors creep slowly from the chocolate. Very nice. 8

$8 / 1.75 Oz. ($4.57/Oz. -- pricey)

http://www.patric-chocolate.com

Cariad Welsh Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa

I recently traveled to Great Britain for vacation, and visited Wales during the trip. One stop was to the Welsh National Assembly building, a beautifully built structure, very airy, though it reminded me of Danish modern styling. In the gift shop were a number of Welsh originated products, and I picked up a couple of chocolate bars. This is the first of the two.

This bar reminds me of another British chocolate that I reviewed in 2007, Caley's. It has the same milk-chocolate overtones and cloying sweetness. There's also significant bitterness in the aftertaste, though the milk/sweet tastes is more prominent earlier on. A sign of "good chocolate making" is a crisp snap when breaking the bar -- this bar has almost no snap. Indeed, that's the feeling I have about this chocolate -- no snap. 4

http://www.chocolateconnfection.co.uk

£3.49/100g

From the label: "Manufactured in Wales using quality Belgian Chocolate"

Dagoba Conacado Dominican Republic 73% cacao

There's nothing wrong with this chocolate, though there's nothing much outstanding. Fairly bitter for a 73%. There's a nutty (peanut?) flavor in the background, but mostly just chocolate. 6

www.dagobachocolate.com

Valrhona Les Grands Crus Manjari Fresh and Tangy 64% cacao

Fresh and tangy, indeed! This chocolate explodes with many flavors on first taste it and as it melts in your mouth. I get more orange than lemon flavor -- but it's hard to tease it apart! Well worth more study. 8

Bloomsberry Emergency Chocolate 55% Cocoa

Fairly bitter for a 55% cocoa bar. Not much side flavor -- just cocoa. Fine in an emergency. 5

Open Tasting Comments:
E.B.: Kinda flat, but *way* better then milk. 5.5
S.G.: OK - Great concept - smooth, easy. 6
M.G.: Good selection for hot chocolate perhaps? 5
J.L.: Kind of bitter, but I like it! 7
L.P.C: Not much taste. 6.5
Herman: Tastes good. 8