Guido Gobino Madagascar Sambirano 72% cacao

There is a taste of apricot to from this bar, though the cacao has a robust character, tasting of burnt sugar. The texture is slightly rough and the aftertaste is moderate. 8.6

This is one of the larger bars I've tasted in a while at 110 grams (3.9 oz.). It may also be the first bar crafted in Italy that I've reviewed since my trip to Venice in 2019.  Inside the label can be found a spiderweb chart which shows the degree of certain characteristics the maker notes for the bar. I generally agree with the assessment, though I would nudge the roasted metric a bar higher.

Ingredients:  cocao mass from Madagascar, sugar, cocoa butter

guidogobino.it

Mission Chocolate Brazil Two Rivers 70% cacao

I do not usually start my reviews with comments about the bar itself, but I would say this bar is unique in its composition. Mission Chocolate, a Brazilian chocolate maker, named this bar "Two Rivers" and it is apparent from the bar why. One side is a light chocolate and the other is darker, with the two sides separated by a wavy partition reminiscent of two rivers meeting.  From the website: "The name Two Rivers: Rio Negro + Rio Solimões comes from my boat ride on the Amazon River in the Amazon Rainforest. There is an intersection where these two rivers meet and maintain separate for miles."

This is an amazing inspiration for this bar, and I wonder how it was manufactured to obtain this wavy mix of two cacao origins. On to the review itself.

As further explained on the website, the lighter side has the taste of "brownie, cocoa, and chocolate cake." I would agree with this assessment and note that the bitterness is mild, but the aftertaste is lengthy. The darker side, which the website calls "reddish" has a fruity aspect, with cherry and citrus notes. The bitterness of this side is low and the aftertaste is brief. The rating I would give to the lighter side is 8.9, while the darker side is 9.7.

Congratulation to Mission Chocolate for creating a unique and delicious bar!

 Ingredients: cacao, organic sugar, cacao butter

www.missionchocolate.com

 

Millésime India Kaithapara 2019 Harvest 74% cacao

This bar is quite bitter and has a strongly chalky texture. The flavor is dominated by earth notes: coffee, charcoal and possibly a hint of molasses. The bitterness runs into the aftertaste, which is lengthy. 6.2

This bar has on its label an emblem that indicates that it won a gold award from the Singapore chocolate awards. As you can tell from my rating I would likely have not given it an award, though those who enjoy chocolate with a punch might rate this highly.

www.millesime-chocolat.be

Puchero Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 85% cacao

Yes, the cacao content of this bar is high at 85%, but the bitterness and astringent taste dominates the experience. The flavors that come through are earthy, soil and straw. The aftertaste is lengthy and bitter. 6.5

The maker of this bar is located in Hornillo de Eresma, Spain. The bar's mold is a map with their Do It Right motto.

Seahorse India Anamalia Estate 70% cacao

This bar has a fruit forward taste, bright and sweet. Cherry, raspberry and plum fruit palette combines into the flavor burst. Aftertaste is mild and tapers quickly. 9.7

Lumineux Tanzania 75% cacao

This bar has an edge at the start with bitterness resulting from the higher cacao content I assume. This leads to a smoky, roasted flavor with some fig taste. Aftertaste is moderate, with the bitterness persisting to the end. 7.2

Dandelion Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 2018 Harvest 70% cacao

The taste is clean and somewhat sweet. The flavor starts with a fruit profile with some plum and berry. The bitterness is moderate to low, resulting in a short aftertaste. 9.1

I have previously tasted Dandelion Tanzania Kokoa Kamili 70% cacao which was the 2014 harvest from that plantation. I rated it lower than this bar, which is quite good. Reaching back even further in 2012 I reviewed Dandelion Tanzania 70% cocoa for which the plantation origin was not identified. 

That review had a comment that the label said, "Recently, we discovered a few extra kilos of beans and our friend Adam of Fog City News asked us to make a limited run." At the end of 2021 Adam closed Fog City News, leaving one less option for purchasing craft chocolate. But with its growth as a company, Dandelion no longer needs encouragement to make Tanzanian chocolate.