Foundry Peru 70% cacao

This bar has a nice flavor profile, with apricot on the outset and orange blossom on the end. The experience is clean from start to finish, with an aftertaste which is gentle and short. 9.6

www.foundrychocolate.com

Chocolarder Peru, Cuencas 72% cacao

The primary taste of this bar has a molasses aspect, slightly roasted. Next in line is a buttery texture with some caramel notes. The aftertaste is clean, gradually diminishing. 9.0

www.chocolarder.com

Beyond Good Madagascar 70% cacao

There is a rough texture to this bar, though it diminishes after a time. The primary flavor is cherry, though there is a hint of synthetic taste mixed in. The aftertaste is clean and has average duration. 6.8

I have previously review a Beyond Good bar of Madagascar origin, and I notice that I mentioned a synthetic taste in that bar as well: Beyond Good Madagascar 80% cacao I notice that the previous label was fairly subtle and clean, whereas this bar has huge lettering, contrasting colors, and graphics showing the location of the origin and manufacture. Clearly they decided to amp up their shelf impact.

I appreciate their goal to work closely with local farmers and manufacture their chocolate close to the source, but the results are not yet at the level of more highly rated bars I have tasted.

Likklemore Jamaica 70% cacao

This colorful bar has a slightly chalky texture, but that does not distract from the flavor. There is a buttery aspect which leans towards caramel, and it has a balsamic note giving it a flavor boost. The aftertaste lingers, due perhaps to the rough texture. 7.8

www.likklemorechocolate.com

Ingredients: Cocao nibs, cane sugar, cocoa butter. All-natural colors derived from plants, fruits & vegetables.

The ingredient reference of colors is due to the decorative surface of the bar. It does not appear to alter or interfere with the taste of the chocolate, but does add a festive touch.

 

Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé Peru 100% cacao

I do not review 100% cacao bars, but I purchased this bar by mistake. Chocolate without any sugar to balance the taste is generally chalky and extremely bitter.  However this bar has almost no chalkiness and quite tolerable bitterness. Of course the aftertaste persists quite long, and side flavors are almost completely missing. Peruvian cacao often has fruit notes and there are some hiding behind the dominating cacao taste, but they cannot fully emerge. There will be no rating for this bar, but well done, Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé!

Letterpress Ghana Ashanti 70% cacao

There is a gentle start to the taste of this bar, which develops a milky texture with plum notes. The bitterness is low and the aftertaste continues the flavors. 9.8

Trader Joe's Peru 70% cacao

This bar is fairly bitter, with roasted and earthy notes.  The roasted part tends towards toasted coconut, while the earthy part is woody. The aftertaste is well defined and less bitter. 7.1

The label says "Peruvian cacao" but that is the only mention of the origin on the label. The ingredient listed on the label are:

Ingredients: Unsweetened chocolate, sugar

Generally I see "cacao" and "cacao butter" for the main ingredients of craft chocolate, which I would expect "unsweetened chocolate" to consist of.

Craft makers also provide additional details for the chocolate origin and how the bar is made. Trader Joe's is not a craft chocolate maker.