Sirene Madagascar 73% cacao

There is a slightly chalky texture initially, which dissipates as the bar melts. The flavor base has a toffee touch, decorated with a balsamic dress. The finish is clean and does not linger. 7.9

Black Jaguar Nicaragua La Dalia 77% cacao

There are a number of flavor notes presenting from this bar. Most prominent is a spicy element akin to spice case. This is framed by some smokiness, and a touch of balsamic flavor. The finish is strong, lingering with the spice note echoing. 8.2

blackjaguarchocolate.com

Inside the bar's label is a pictogram of the chocolate making process.

LAmourette Venezuela Amazonas 75% cacao

This bar is fairly bitter, which is not surprising at 75% cacao. The flavors are earthy, akin to mushrooms or moss. A faint touch of licorice could be noticed. The aftertaste is lengthy and bitter. 6.8

Twenty-Four Blackbirds Honduras Wampusirpi 75% cacao

Initial taste of this bar is quite bitter and has slightly metallic tinge. Further tasting leads to an earthy aspect, leaning towards soil with a tobacco edge. The aftertaste is moderate and trails off gradually, carrying the initial flavros with it. 6.3

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Spinnaker Tanzania 70% cacao

I taste a panoply of flavors in this bar. The fruit notes are akin to apricots, the flower notes have jasmine fragrances, and the overall texture is buttery with a touch of toffee. 9.0

Mission Chocolate Brazil Amazonia 70% cacao

The bar initially impresses with its buttery texture and rich caramel notes. Subtle hints of dried fruit emerge next, followed by a delicate undercurrent of spice cake. 8.9

www.MissionChocolate.com

Sabadì Ecuador "Zucchero Mascobado" 70% cacao

The texture of this bar is quite grainy. The flavor palette is earthy, reminiscent of wood and burlap. The aftertaste develops some bitterness which persists the flavors.  6.5

sabadi.it

Ingredients: Cocoa mass (organic) -- Origin: Ecuador -- Variety: Nacional Fino de Aroma, raw Mascobado sugar from the Philippines. Cocoa 70% minimum.

The texture which I note above appears to come from the "Mascobado" (or Mascovado) sugar used in this bar.  An online note about this sugar reports that it is "unrefined cane sugar that still contains molasses, giving it a dark brown color and texture similar to that of wet sand." 

The other aspect of this bar which leads to the grainy texture is that it is made using the "Modica" process. This is a "cold" working process which does not raise the temperature above the point where the sugar crystals would dissolve. This process is named after a town in Sicily, where the maker of this bar is located.

Le Chocolat Dark Chocolate 85% cacao

On my recent trip to the Chicago area I spent time in nearby Naperville. The downtown has many shops and restaurants, and many people were enjoying them while I was there. One shop was a chocolate store, Le Chocolat. They specialize in treats made in their store, and have a cafe where you can enjoy them. They also sell the bar shown in this post. 

The bar did not have content or origin details other than "Imported Swiss." Due to the high cacao content the bar has some chalkiness, which is from the additional bitterness tasted in a high cacao bar. It may also have vanilla flavoring, so it will not be rated. I wanted to post the bar here due to the initiative of this chocolate store to create its own creations, including this bar.  Be sure to visit Le Chocolat when you next find yourself in Naperville.

Castronovo Peru Awajún 70% cacao

There is a burst of flavor from this bar. I taste apricot and plum, with a buttery finish. Aftertaste is clean and brief. 9.6

The label mentions that this bar is from "Awajún Women" and further explains on the back that in Peru the women generally "take care of farming, cooking and the children."

Fruition Madagascar Sambirano 74% cacao

This bar rises to the expectation I have for Madagascar cacao. It is balanced with excellent texture, fruit flavors, and clean finish. The fruit notes are citrus and berry. The aftertaste is clean and brief. 9.4

20/20 Venezuela Mantuano 72% cacao

There is bitterness from start to finish standing out from this bar. Its edge comes from a roasted dimension which is somewhat smokey. The aftertaste is lengthy and bitter. 6.9

www.2020chocolates.com

Siamaya Thai 70% cacao

This is the first Thai chocolate maker and cacao origin on ChocoCheck. This bar has a spicy taste leaning towards cinnamon, and a slight balsamic underlay. This leads to a puckery aftertaste which is lengthy and bitter. 7.2

www.siamayachocolate.com

Two interesting aspects to this bar's label: The nutrition information is in Thai. With Google Translate I could understand it. Second, the label does not list a website for the company. Google Search came through with the link I posted above. 

The label indicates that the cacao is a "Thai Cacao Blend," but provides little additional information on the origin. Also in Thai is the Ingredients, which translates as:

Ingredients: Cacao nibs 65%, Organic Cane Sugar 30%, cacao butter 5%

Lastly in Thai, there is advice for the consumer: "Consume little and exercise for health"

Godavari India 73% cacao “Out in the Dark”

The flavors of this bar arise from roasted and herbaceous palettes. There is a touch of coffee and an element of spice cake. The bar is dense and melts slowly in the mouth. The aftertaste rings with the initial flavors, diminishing gradually. 8.8

www.godavarichocolate.com

Ara Nicaragua Maya Blanco 70% cacao

The prominent flavor palette for this bar is buttery, with toffee's edge. Bitterness is not excessive, though it is not diminutive. Aftertaste is moderate and some bitterness carries throughout the end-taste. 8.9

www.arachocolat.com

Astor Dark Chocolate “Las Vegas”

I am visiting Las Vegas this week and bought the bar in a hotel snack shop. This is a basic dark chocolate whose ingredients include vanilla flavoring, which excludes it from rating. That flavoring comes through strongly. Its texture is somewhat rough. The aftertaste is sweet.

Solstice India Anamalai 70% cacao

The prominent taste of this bar is a buttery, caramel flavor. There is also a faint floral dimension, along the lines of honey and orange blossom. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste relatively brief. 9.0

Solstice Madagascar Sambirano 70% cacao

On first taste this bar has a fruit notes (apricot and citrus), and a rich toffee taste. The overall experience is clean and neat with moderate bitterness.  The aftertaste is brief but flavorful. 9.3

solsticechocolate.com

Dandelion Domincan Republic Zorzal 2021 Harvest 70% cacao

The flavors of this bar have a fruit aspect, plum and red fruit. There is also a buttery part that smooths out the texture. The aftertaste is brief and buttery. 9.0

Not having looked at it before writing this review, it is interesting to note that I also gave the 2015 harvest of Dandelion's Zorzal bar a 9.0 rating: Dandelion Dominican Republic Zorzal 70% cacao

Karuna Kokoa Kamili Tanzania 70% cacao

This is a buttery bar with a toffee edge to it. It has a rich, chocolaty texture and taste. The bitterness is on the low end, but the aftertaste is longer due to the dense chocolate composition. 8.1

www.karunachocolate.it

Cacao from Kokoa Kamili usually has a fruity, citrus flavor, but I did not experience that with this bar. The tasting note on the label says "intense fruity," which was not my take.

I appreciate when a chocolate maker creates a custom mold which adds to the consumption experience. This Italian maker's mold is a reflection of the design on the label. Or is it the other way around?

Moka Origins Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 72% cacao

The initial taste is on the earthy side, with perhaps a note of cedar. This gives way to an egg yolk taste, a little buttery with an edge. The finish is slightly roasted. The aftertaste is mild and trails off quickly. 8.7

MokaOrigins.com

Tiny House Brazil 71% cacao

There is a roasted element to this bar with a little burnt sugar touch, and some spice cake spiciness. The chocolate flavor is rich and the bitterness is low. The aftertaste is lengthy for a low-bitterness bar. 8.2

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

Stonegrindz Bolivia 70% cacao

This bar has a fruit-forward taste palette. Ripe banana and fresh fig are notes of note, with a buttery texture in the background. The bitterness is mild and the aftertaste is persistent. 9.5

This is another well-made bar from Stonegrindz. A previous bar reviewed here was the Stonegrindz Ecuador Esmeraldas 70% cacao. That bar was noted to have won a Bronze award, and this bar took down a Sliver. Will gold be next?

Fruition Madagascar Sambirano 74% cacao

There is a buttery texture to this bar on first tasting, with malt and caramel notes. Also noticeable is plum and rum raisin tastes as the bar melts. It is mildly bitter with a brief and clean aftertaste. 9.2

I usually only post the website of chocolate makers on their first appearance on ChocoCheck, but the first posting for Fruition was Fruition Bolivia 74% Dark. For whatever reason there was no website posted. Here is their site:

www.fruitionchocolateworks.com

Dick Taylor Peru Piura Blanco 80% cacao

There is an earthy element to this bar, and prominent bitterness from the relatively higher cacao content. The taste elements range from mushrooms to fig to toast. The aftertaste is persistent and carries the experience along with it. 9.0

Valley Isle Peru Piura Blanco 70% cacao

The Unique Blend chocolate bar is an intriguing culinary adventure, blending traditional and unexpected flavors into a harmonious treat. Upon the first bite, you are greeted with a distinctly buttery taste, reminiscent of the creamy richness found in high-quality milk chocolate. This initial creamy sensation sets the stage for the more complex flavors that follow.

As the chocolate melts, a surprising yet delightful note of raisin emerges. The raisin flavor isn't overwhelming; instead, it adds a subtle, sweet depth that complements the buttery base. The most unexpected twist, however, is the hint of mushroom. This earthy component might sound unconventional for a chocolate bar, but it surprisingly works well, adding a savory contrast that balances the sweetness.

The texture of this chocolate bar is as noteworthy as its taste. It's exceptionally smooth, melting effortlessly on the tongue, and leads to a clean, brief aftertaste. This fleeting finish ensures that the bar doesn't overstay its welcome on your palate, leaving you ready for another piece without feeling overwhelmed by richness.

Overall, the Unique Blend chocolate bar is a must-try for those who enjoy culinary surprises. Its blend of buttery, milk-like chocolate, raisin, and mushroom flavors, paired with a smooth texture and brief aftertaste, makes it a standout choice for adventurous chocolate enthusiasts.

9.1

www.valleyislechocolate.com

Moku Chocolate Peru Ucayali River 70% cacao

There is the familiar snap of fruit from Peru cacao on first tasting, cherry and light citrus. With more time, the bar has a clean aftertaste which lingers.  9.3

mokuchocolate.com

Nearynogs Domincan Republic Zorzal 70% cacao

This bar has both earthy and roasted elements. The roasted aspect has some charcoal and a hint of molasses. The earthy part has mushroom notes. The aftertaste is mild and brief. 7.4

The label has a "best before" date of 12/23, however the bar shows no problems. 

This bar uses a very nice mold. It reminds me of plaster moldings I saw during a 2014 trip to Ireland in Belvedere House. This design is quite different from what I saw in Belvedere House, but this mold would certainly look good impressed in plaster.