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.