Sunday, November 3, 2024

Karuna Belize 70% cacao

There is a rich, buttery texture to this bar, with a side of fudginess. Some caramel notes can be tasted, and there is a fairly low level of bitterness. The aftertaste is clean and carries the texture and flavors from the initial experience. 8.2

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Cárdenas Ecuador Manabí 72% cacao

The taste starts herbaceous with a nutmeg and spice cake profile. There is some astringent bitterness, which develops as the bar dissolves. This leads to a lengthy aftertaste. 7.5

www.cardenaschocolate.com

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Spinnaker Haiti 70% cacao

This well-made bar has a somewhat flat flavor profile, with no flavors prominently presented. The texture is buttery with a malt taste, and there is a background balsamic note that speaks for the fruity flavor. Also noticeable is a faint orange blossom floral note. The finish is quick with a short, clean aftertaste. 8.9

Monday, September 30, 2024

Baron Hasselhoff's Papua New Guinea Manabu 72% cacao

There is a rough texture to this bar, similar to my experience of raw chocolates. The label does not indicate that it was made using raw chocolate processing techniques. Some notes of dried fruit, such as raisin, come through, as well of some toffee taste. The aftertaste is persistent, though not very bitter. 7.8

baronhasselhoffs.com

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Moni Peru Raw Vegan 74% cacao

There is a stark cacao taste that introduces this bar to the palate. The flavors are earthy and slightly roasted. The earthy taste leans towards olives, while the roasted taste is akin to bread. The aftertaste is dry and it lingers a bit. 6.8  

Ingredients: Organic Raw Cacao, Unrefined Organic Coconut Sugar, Organic Raw Cacao Butter

www.moniproducts.com

This bar is made with coconut sugar and is noted to be "raw." This usually indicates that the bar processing does not heat the indregients to a high degree and is minimally processed. Compared to other raw cacao bars I have tasted, this bar does not have sugar crystals, perhaps due to the use of coconet sugar.

The bar also has a slightly elevated cacao percentage, which, combined with the use of coconut sugar, results in a bar which reportedly has a lower glycemic index, making it better for people concerned about maintaining moderate blood sugar levels.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

White Label Phillipines Kablon Farms 74% cacao

A buttery texture is present at the outset when tasting this bar, though it is underlain with an roasted foundation, akin to bread. There is minimal sweetness and not a high level of bitterness. The aftertaste fades quickly. 8.1

Monday, September 9, 2024

Chocolate Regimen Dark Chocolate 70% cacao

There is minimal sweetness as this bar melts and a fine, rough texture. The flavors run from earthy to roasted. The roasted taste leans toward toasted coconut. The earthy taste leans towards straw. The aftertaste is minimal in duration and impact. 7.1

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier, soy lecithin

www.lechocolatdubouchard.com

As the label indicates, this bar was aimed at a health market, those looking for enhanced health, well being, and boost of energy. You would expect that from the world's healthiest chocolate.