Rob's Really Good Life Changing Italian Dark Chocolate 72% cocoa

With a name that includes "life changing" in it, this chocolate has set a pretty high bar for itself. Does it reach it? No, but it's a quite respectable bar. There some slight chalkiness, but no dominating bitterness. There is sweetness, but it is not cloying. There are slight citrus notes, but no strong flavors. The wrapper has a cute "user guide" that I'll post in a comment.

Maybe not life changing, but certainly life enhancing. 7.5

RobsReallyGood.com

Madecasse Madagascar strong & complex 80% cocoa

This bar had a uneven surface texture, which means it may have experienced some damage from my keeping it in my roll-bag for two months. So it may not be the best representative of this chocolate.

The chocolate had little side flavors and had a sharp bitter edge. 6.2

I tasted the bar with my niece and her family, and these are their ratings:

Michael -- it is okay, not special 5
Will -- really dark 4
Dianna -- bitter, don't like it 3

Amedei Chuao 70% cocoa

This chocolate has a rich aroma, a cherry background flavor and a nice crisp snap when broken. Minimal bitterness, with a very clean aftertaste. One of the nicest chocolates I've tasted. 9.5

www.amedei.it

Neuhaus West Africa 73% cacao

Earthy flavors with a forthright bitter aspect. Appears to have very small cocoa nibs present. Very smooth finish, with the bitterness almost gone by the time the chocolate is melted in the mouth. 6.9

This was the "Poker Chocolate" for 4 November 2010.

www.neuhaus.be

Cuorenero Nativo Bolivia 70% cacao

This chocolate has a novel form. Though it comes in a square-ish box, the chocolate is round, with break points making sixteen wedges. It's a nice design, which would facilitate sharing. The bar (round?) has a crisp snap when broken, so it's nicely made.

The chocolate itself is slightly bitter, with nutty flavors (walnut?). Little bitterness in the aftertaste, but the cocoa flavor does stay with you. 7.7

www.cuorenero.it

Amano Madagascar 70% cacao

This is a classic Madagascar chocolate. Intensely fruity, flavorful, low bitterness, nice finish. So far I have not met a single-origin Madagascar chocolate I did not like. 8.2

$6.99 for a 2 oz. bar

www.amanochocolate.com

This bar has a mini-tasting guide that I did not see in the previous Amano bars I have tasted: Amano Jembrana Handcrafted Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao and Amano Ocumare Grand Cru Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao.

Here's the guide:

Amano Mini Tasting Guide

Fine chocolate is like fine wine: is can be appreciated for the flavor nuances that it evokes. Each chocolate tastes different depending on the type of cocoa bean used and the chocolate maker's art. Some cocoa beans taste fruity, and they bring that taste to the chocolate. You will be amazed at the wide variety of flavotrs to be enjoyed in high-quality chocolate.

Tasting Steps

Chocolate is best tasted when your taste buds are clean. If you need to clean your palate, a palate cleanser such as sparkling water, and apple slice, or soda cracker will help clean your mouth and taste buds.

First examine the chocolate. The surface should be free from defects. It should be shiny in appearance.

Listen. When you break it, it should make a sharp snap sound. Let the chocolate warm between your fingers slightly.

Smell it. Is the aroma fruity? Spicy? "Roasty" like coffee? What pleasurable sensations does it remind you of?

Place a piece of chocolate in your mouth and let it melt. Don't chew! The flavor of chocolate changes as you eat it. What flavors do you initially taste? How do they change with time? How long can you taste the chocolate afterward? What is its final flavor?

If you are trying many kinds of chocolates, use a palate cleanser to clean your mouth and taste buds in between chocolate tastings. Get some friends together and hold a chocolate tasting party!

Happy Chocolate Tastings,

Art Pollard

Founder / Head Chocolate Maker

Amano Artisan Chocolate

Rapunzel Organic Extra Dark 70% cocoa

Robust but not overpowering bitterness, resolving into a sweet citrus flavor. 7.4

http://www.rapunzel.com/