Dandelion Hawai'i Mililani 2020 Harvest 70% cacao

There are a range of fruit notes noticeable with this bar, ranging from pineapple to plum. The texture is buttery and there's a hint of spiciness. The bitterness is moderate and the aftertaste is smooth. 9.2

Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain 2022 Harvest 70% cacao

On initial taste there is a bitter edge which lingers in the mouth. This leads to a roasted profile, akin to burnt sugar. Alongside this is an earthy taste suggesting a mushroom flavor. The aftertaste is extended due to the enhanced bitterness. 6.8

This origin from Dandelion continues to get low scores from ChocoCheck. Previous ratings for earlier harvests:

Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain (2017) 70% cacao rated 6.7

Dandelion Belize Maya Mountain (2014) 70% cacao rated 7.7

Bar Au Chocolat Madagascar Ambanja 72% cacao

Atelier

The notes of note are a faint floral taste, leaning towards orange blossom, and a stronger toffee taste. The texture is smooth and the bitterness is mild. The aftertaste is unremarkable but persistent. 8.9

www.barauchocolat.com

The packaging of this bar is unlike any bar I've tasted. The wrapper is a rough paper with an embossed logo of the chocolate maker. The text for the label is printed on two squares which are separate from the packaging. 

The mold is also nicely designed. A visit to their website is worthwhile to learn more about the maker. The site describes the place where the bars are produced not as a factory, but an atelier. From the first encounter with this bar it is clear it was made with an artistic touch.

White Label Vietnam Ben Tre 72% cacao

The taste notes I find with this bar are caramel, raisin and a touch of smoke. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste is gentle. 9.2

Kad Kokoa Thailand Chiang Mai 70% cacao

The initial experience of this bar has berry and faint citrus notes, but a thread of bitterness lingers in the background. This provides a nice contrast, and results in an aftertaste which is moderate. 8.2

www.kadkokoa.co

This may well be the first bar made from Thai cacao reviewed on ChocoCheck.

Auro Philippine Paquibato 70% cacao

There are roasted and earthy taste aspects to this bar. The roasted parts lean towards charcoal while the earthy parts are somewhat woody. The bitterness is prominent, leading to a lengthy aftertaste. 7.5

Ingredients: Cacao mass, organic muscovado sugar, cacao butter

Another Philippine origin bar from Auro was tasted in 2018: Auro Philippine Savoy 70% cacao.  The source plantation appears to be different (see the Comment on the post).

I needed to look up what is muscovado sugar and I discovered, "Muscovado sugar is unrefined cane sugar that contains natural molasses."

Cacao Hunters Aracua 70% cacao

There is an earthy element to this bar's taste, leaning towards mushrooms. This is paired with a spice cake taste, which blends nicely. The aftertaste is mild and on the sweet side. 8.8