akesson's - madagascar ambolikapiky plantation criollo 75%
Criollo: 8.95/10
Quite sour and fruity. Very lively and vivid. I wasn't a fan of the aftertaste. Trinitario: 7/10 Very fruity and fresh but too sour for me. Super melty, but texture was affected in storage. No snap.\ Forastero: 9.4/10 Very sour and fruity, raspberry notes. Super melty. |
average score: 8.45/10 |
hotel chocolat - tanzania 80%
Criollo: 7.25/10
The first bite was not very nice, the more you have the better the taste. I don't really like the general flavour and the aftertaste is a bit like kiwi - the bad part! Trinitario: 6.7/10 Very strong and intense, quite sweet at the end with a bit of smokiness. Aftertaste of vinegary kiwi. Forastero: 7/10 Very weird - like kiwi and peach fuzz. Very brash and slightly woody. Not fragrant and a bit vinegar-is. |
average score: 6.98/10 |
pump street chocolate - jamaica bachelor's hall estate saint Thomas 2018 75%
Criollo: 9.2/10
Dark and melty with a buttery feel. Yum! Trinitario: 9/10 Wow! Quite fruity and woody with a strong hint of honey. A hint of acidity towards the end, with a nice smooth overall texture. Forastero: 9.7/10 Slightly fruity with strong honey and strawberry notes. Amazing texture |
average score: 9.3/10 |
original beans - beni beni wild harvest bolivia 66%
Criollo: 9/10
Nice and melty. Quite dark and also sweet. Yum! Trinitario: 8.2/10 Super melty, with dried fruit and apricot notes - a little too acidic for me especially towards the end. I would have preferred it with a higher cacao content e.g. 75% Forastero: 8.8/10 Really fudgy / melty. Strong dried apricot and honey notes. A tiny bit too sweet. |
average score: 8.66/10 |
paul and mike - jAMUN 64%
Review coming soon!
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Chocolat madagascar domaine mava 85%, 09/09/19
Criollo: Coming soon
Trinitario: 8/10 A slightly earthy taste at the beginning, followed by powerful floral notes, with a buttery but not melty texture throughout. Forastero: 8.8/10 Very floral and super buttery - amazing texture. Light tropical notes. |
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toska - black grape and walnut 80%, 09/09/19
Criollo: 8.3/10
The walnuts really compliment the chocolate. Not very sweet but pleasant enough. Trinitario: 7/10 Interesting taste, very walnutty and dark. The texture is a bit lumpy, possibly due to temperature conditions. Forastero: 7.5 /10 At first that tastes gross, but the bitter walnut taste grows on you. The texture eventually becomes smooth. |
average score: 7.6/10 |
monsieur txokola - java 80%, 05/09/19
Criollo: 9.5/10
I really like how the smoky taste compliments the bitter, rich, flavours. The aftertaste is definitely smoky. Mm. Trinitario: 7/10 Not that smoky at the beginning but it really developed. A little woody and very very smoky at the end. Forastero: 6/10 I hate smokiness, and this is far too smoky. It has a bitter fire-y aftertaste. Not for me, but for smoky lovers I can see this being delicious. |
average score: 7.5/10 |
Monsieur txokola - ecuador 77%, 05/09/19
Criollo: 9/10
Melty and smooth with dark rich notes. Trinitario: 8/10 Quite velvety with a woody taste. Nice and melty, well balanced. Forastero: 8.7/10 Mango-y and with a non-sour tropical taste. Perfect texture. |
average score: 8.56/10 |
chocolarder - millot farm madagascar 80%, 23/05/19
Criollo: 9.1/10
A kind of coffee-y tinge. Pretty nice. Trinitario: coming soon Forastero: 9.1/10 Very coffee-y in flavour with a chewy-grainy texture |
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maraná - san martín peru farm, 23/05/19
Criollo: 9.8/10
I really like the texture, grainy and unusually parmesan-like. It tasted smoky and bitter. Yum! Bitter aftertaste but not too sweet. Trinitario: 10/10 I love this! The texture is really interesting, like very fine sand. The taste is perfection! Quite woody with a hint of freshness and a nutty aroma. LOVE IT Forastero: 8.9/10 Weird texture with a smoky nuttiness. |
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alain ducasse - trinité et tobago 75%, 22/05/19
Criollo: 8/10
This was a very weird experience for me. I cannot describe the taste... Maybe floral is the right word. Trinitario: 7.5/10 Very very floral. I have never tasted anything like it, and I can't say I am enjoying the experience. Rather strange. Forastero: 7.5/10 Just weird... |
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Alain ducasse - mendiant caramelised almond, 22/05/19
Criollo: 9/10
I like the chocolate a lot and the nuts really complement the flavour. Mmmm! Trinitario: 8.7/10 I really like the almonds, which are super crunchy and perfectly caramelised but the chocolate is really not ideal for me. The taste is too simple and the chocolate is not dark enough, meaning that the almonds overpower it. Forastero: 8.5/10 Like the chocolate but it doesn't work for me. |
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pump street chocolate - akesson's organic estate ambanja 2018 crop madagascar 72%, 22/05/19
Criollo: 9/10
Nice, quite sweet. Yum! Trinitario: 7.5/10 A nice freshness with a nice nuttiness. Forastero: 10/10 Proper sourness without being too sweet, and super melty. Very tasty - I could eat this for ever! |
average score: 8.83/10 |
omnom - gran nativo blanco peru 100%, 22/05/19
Criollo: 8.4/10
Very melty and almost buttery with a sour taste. Trinitario: 9/10 Nice and velvety with a hint of acidity. Pretty nice! I could have a hint of nuttiness. Forastero: 9.2/10 Not all that dark-tasting. Very melty and buttery with a hint of floral sourness. |
average score: 8.86/10 |
krak chocolade - papua new guinea gazelle 70%, 21/05/19
Criollo: 8.2/10
Really smoky and kind of bitter. Trinitario: 7/10 So! smoky. Wow. Really not my thing. Forastero: 7/10 Way too smoky but a good fruity undertone. Smooth. |
average score: 7.4/10 |
Chocolarder - asháninka ene river valley peru criollo 72%, 21/05/19
Criollo: 8.9/10
Reminds me of blackcurrants. Slightly sweet and definitely fruity :). Trinitario: 9/10 Very fruity and clean, with a very smooth texture. Perfect for the summer! Forastero: 3/10 This is really foul! It tastes like smoked salmon and papaya covered in chocolate with a slimy mouthfeel. The texture is smooth though. |
average score: 6.96/10 |
HAIGH'S - CARDAMOM DARK 52%,10/05/19
Criollo: 9.2/10
Very sweet but it goes well with the cardamom. Delicious! Trinitario: 6.9/10 Way too sweet! I just find that the cardamom overpowers the chocolate completely, and it sweetness means that it doesn't really taste of chocolate. Forastero: 8.5/10 Way too sweet, but I love the taste of the cardamom! |
average score: 8.2/10 |
koko black - 70% Davidson plum and Sao Tomé,10/05/19
Criollo: 9.9/10
This is really sour and fruity. The chocolate taste is overpowered by a dark, fruity, smoky taste. The best chocolate I've ever tasted! Trinitario: 8/10 A hint of sourness, followed by a very plummy flavour with a nice smoky chocolate. The taste is a bit overpowered though. So addictive. Forastero: 8.8/10 Really sour! Not too chocolatey, but the aftertaste is really nice. Weird texture. |
average score: 9.35/10 |
chocolat stella - india 72%, 03/05/19
Criollo: 8.7/10
This is a nice chocolate but nothing about it particularly stood out, slightly rubbery. Trinitario: 8.9/10 I found the taste very interesting and almost rubbery, with dried fruit and nuttiness. Very smooth. Forastero: 8.8/10 I like the interesting flavour - semi-bitter, smoky and roasted nuts but not too sweet. Good texture. |
average score: 8.8/10 |
koko black - tasmanian honeycomb, 30/04/19
Criollo: 8.9/10
This is really sweet but I love the honeycomb taste and texture. Mmmm....
Forastero: 8.9/10
I prefer this, but it's too sugary. Good chocolate - honeycomb balance. Very crunchy!
This is really sweet but I love the honeycomb taste and texture. Mmmm....
Forastero: 8.9/10
I prefer this, but it's too sugary. Good chocolate - honeycomb balance. Very crunchy!
koko black - salted caramel brittle, 30/04/19
Criollo: 8.6/10
This has a crunch! Almost as if it is filled with toffee.
Forastero: 8.5/10
Too sweet, but I love the crunch. The chocolate outside was ok, but a bit bland in flavour.
This has a crunch! Almost as if it is filled with toffee.
Forastero: 8.5/10
Too sweet, but I love the crunch. The chocolate outside was ok, but a bit bland in flavour.
charbonnel et walker - 70% butler's bar, 29/04/19
Criollo: 5/10
Has a rubbery taste with a bad aftertaste. Trinitario: 3/10 Really weird. I really really dislike it. It barely tastes of chocolate, and more like a vaguely coffee-ey drink with a hint of butter. Forastero: 4/10 Tastes like a Starbucks frappuccino (vague taste of coffee and sugar). Doesn't melt at all. |
average score: 4/10 |
Nero & bianco - 70%, 03/04/19
Criollo: 7.4/10
Kind of chocolatey but has a ring of fakeness to it. Trinitario: 6/10 Bulldozer dust (to quote Forastero). I really dislike this chocolate, which is like mud. Does not taste of chocolate. Fakeness in its prime. Forastero: 7/10 Lacks interest. Kind of bland, without any real chocolate flavour. Very melty. |
average score: 6.8/10 |
Green and Black's - 70% Velvet Edition Ghana, 03/04/19
Criollo: 8/10
Rich and dark. A nice texture but nothing special. Trinitario: 8/10 Very velvety and rich, with heavy hints of coffee and overall nuttiness. Yum! A little too sweet. Forastero: 8.7/10 Very rich and melty. Coffee-ey and nutty in flavour. |
average score: 8.23/10 |
Willie's cacao- rio maranon 100% pistachio and dates
Criollo: 9/10
This chocolate is very dark, however, the little bits of dates add an aspect of sweetness which really lifts the flavour in a nice way. There are little pistachio nibbles which add a nice texture Trinitario: 8.5/10 A lovely velvety richness in this chocolate, without it being bitter or acidic. A potentially very addictive substance! The texture is a little chewy, perhaps due to the dates. I like the addition of dates but not a fan of the taste of these particular pistachios. Well balanced nonetheless. Yum! Forastero: 8.8/10 Slightly weird, in a sense. A chewy and crunchy texture sue to the nuts. A good meatiness and the cocoa itself is floral in flavour. It is not sweet without being at all bitter: almost savoury-sweet |
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Pump street chocolate- 58% Grenada crayfish bay organic estate hot cross bun
Criollo: 9.3/10
Woahhh! What a weird and wonderful chocolate. I can immediately tell that it is a "hot cross bun" flavour. Very deep and dark, not a lot of sweetness but I definitely recommend! Trinitario: 8.5/10 Very peculiar. A definite taste of hot cross buns, which is very addictive and yummy. The chocolate taste fades into the background, which for me sort of defeats the fact that it is chocolate. As a sweet treat it is yummy. Forastero: 10/10 Slightly addictive, and kind of weird but in the best possibly way. Tastes like cacao-y hot cross buns. Not very sweet at all, and a strong spice flavour. |
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alain ducasse - pistachio mendiant 75%, 25/03/19
Criollo: 8.8/10
A nice dark chocolate which is rich and deep. The pistachios add a nice touch. Trinitario: 8.9/10 Lonvely and crunchy pistachio, with a fruity and slightly earthy taste. Yummy! Forastero: 8.3/10 Very crunchy, good pistachio flavour with a rounded fruity taste. Too salty. |
average score: 8.67/10 |
willie's cacao - madagascar sambirano gold 71%, 15/03/19
Criollo: 9.6/10
I love the texture and the richness. This chocolate is deep. Definitely one of my favourites! Trinitario: 9/10 I really like the taste, which tastes like berries and nuts. The texture is chewy and yummy. Forastero: 9.7/10 Kind of chewy texture, but in a good way. Very nutty, caramel-y and a strong strawberry flavour. |
average score: 9.43/10 |
green & black's - crystallised ginger 60%, 8/03/19
Criollo: 8.5/10
I love the way that the ginger is mixed into the chocolate. It is absolutely delicious. However, as a whole the chocolate is a bit too sweet. Trinitario: 7.5/10 Very gingery with a lovely crunch, but overly sweet, explaining the low rating. Forastero: 8.7/10 Super crunchy with fiery ginger flavour. Good balance between the chocolate and the ginger, but a little sweet. |
average score: 8.23/10 |
carré suisse - madagascar 70%, 07/03/19
Criollo: 8.5/10
I find this chocolate quite sweet with a hint of sourness. It is also quite rich. Trinitario: 9/10 Really fruity and tastes like sunny lemons, but not sour. Very melty and velvety. Really good! Forastero: 9.5/10 Quite sour and fruity with a hint of nuttiness. Very melty, and the perfect richness. |
average score: 9/10
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alain ducasse - brazil forastero blanco 75%, 07/03/19
Criollo: 9.2/10
A very unusual taste, one that I have not had before. It is velvety and has a slightly weird (smoky?) taste. Interesting. Trinitario: 8.5/10 A very interesting taste which I have never had before. A tinge of soap, but very melty and overall an agreeable experience. Forastero: 10/10 Slightly bitter, but in a good way. Super melty, with a hint of lychee and pineapple. Maybe a little guava? Very unusual. |
average score: 9.23/10 |
alain ducasse - madagascar criollo bejofo farm 75%, 04/03/19
Criollo: 9.5/10
Really good, rich, bitter dark chocolate. This is everything a dark chocolate lover could want in a bar.The slight acidity completes the taste. Trinitario: 9.95/10 A nutty and rich start followed by a burst of fresh fruitiness, this chocolate is beautifully complex. I love the malted taste that stays at the back of the mouth throughout. Most of all, I love the aftertaste, which is not at all acidic and is similar to the fresh taste that is at the back throughout. Forastero: 9.3/10 Sooo pistachio-ey with a lovely crunchiness and a hint of salt. The perfect amount of melty chocolate. |
average score: 9.72/10 |
alain ducasse - fourrée coconut praline and passionfruit ganache 75%, 04/03/19
Criollo: 8.6/10
Being not a massive fan of passionfruit this chocolate is not for me, but if you do like passionfruit, this chocolate would be better. Trinitario: 10/10 Amazing! A perfect balance between chocolate and passionfruit. The ganache is lovely and tangy and tastes exactly like passionfruit. The coconut praline is the perfect contrast in both texture and taste, the ganache being smooth and the praline flaky. There is just enough chocolate presence that you taste it properly but it is not overwhelming. Absolute perfection. Forastero: 10/10 This is literally the best thing I've ever eaten! A coconutty depth with a passionfruit tang. Crunch from the praline, silky smooth ganache and the perfect amount of chocolate. |
average score: 9.53/10 |
alain ducasse - pistachio praline 75%, 03/03/19
Criollo: 9.2/10
Very pistachio concentrated. The filling is so lovely and contrasts with the chocolate. A bit more chocolate would be nice. Trinitario: 7.5/10 Wow! The filling of this chocolate is unbelievably pistachio-ey, perhaps overwhelmingly so. Although the balance between the shell and filling is just right, I would have preferred for there to be a counterbalance to the pistachio within the filling itself. For example the passionfruit and coconut contrast perfectly in the fourrée coconut praline and passionfruit ganache one. Good but not amazingly so. Forastero: 9.3/10 Sooo pistachio-ey with a lovely crunchiness and a hint of salt. The perfect amount of melty chocolate. |
average score: 8.66/10 |
alain ducasse - unconched peru 75%, 03/03/19
NB: Conching is a process that makes chocolate smoother by grinding it using rollers for between 12 and 48 hours.
Criollo: 9.7/10 Grainy texture with dark rich flavours, amazing! Trinitario: 10/10 Wonderful in both taste and texture, this unconched chocolate is an amazing discovery for me. It is woody and deep, with an agreeably hint of smokiness, with undertones of burnt caramel and coffee. There is an amazing evolution of flavour throughout, with the texture bringing a delicious and satisfying crunch, which goes well with the taste. Perfection! Forastero: 8.5/10 Slightly alcoholic in flavour, but with a delicious crunchy texture. |
average score: 9.4/10 |
vanini - Uganda salted pistachio 56% , 26/02/19
Criollo: 7.5/10
Very pistachio-ey and quite sweet, especially for a dark chocolate. Quite thick (which I like). Trinitario: 6.5/10 The cacao has potential, but I think the flavour is drowned out by the other ingredients. Maybe it would be better if the pistachios were crushed quite thinly on the bottom. Forastero: 7/10 Too salty but the cacao bean has potential. Strong pistachio flavour and lovely texture. |
average score: 7/10 |
alain ducasse - fourrée hazelnut praliné & fleur de sel 75% , 25/02/19
Criollo: 9.5/10
Lovely chocolate with a nutty praline and perfect texture. Trinitario: 10/10 Wow! There is absolutely nothing negative to say. So nutty, with a lovely crackle of dark chocolate. Forastero: 9.3/10 Just enough chocolate, with crispy praline and a delicious caramelized flavour. A bit messy to eat though! |
average score: 9.6/10 |
Beschle- Maracaibo Criollo Venezuela Citrus Thyme & Rosemary 64% , 25/02/19
Criollo: 9.7/10
A beautiful flavour note of rosemary with a hint of thyme. Very complex and delicate. Mmmm! Trinitario: 9.3/10 Fascinating! I love the rosemary and citrussy taste. The texture is very melty, really amazing. I would highly recommend it. Forastero: 9.5/10 Very complex with an initial rosemary burst, followed by citrus waves. Super chocolatey and pleasantly melty. |
average score: 9.5/10 |
tesco - 74%, 12/02/19
Criollo: 7/10
Nice, dark chocolate. Not bad quality but nothing amazing. I am not a massive fan of this texture. Trinitario: 7/10 Surprisingly good for a supermarket brand. Smoky and melty with a touch of malt. A bit sweet though. Forastero: 7/10 Really smoky and quite melty. Not bad. |
average score: 7/10 |
MIA - madagascar 75% , 11/02/19
Criollo: 7.3/10
Nice, a weird aftertaste, not a big fan. Trinitario: 6.5/10 A definite taste of latex, which isn't entirely horrible, and sort of interesting. Even the texture is almost elasticated. A tart aftertaste. Forastero: 7/10 Kind of latex-y, but not in the worst way. Not melty enough and quite weird with a raspberry aftertaste. |
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alain ducasse - FourrÉe crunchy praline & caramel mousse 75%, 04/02/19
Criollo: 8.5/10
I love this! Orangey and dark with a melty texture. Trinitario: 8/10 After having tried another flavour, I can't say that this one is amazing, however I love the concept! The shell is thin and melting, but the inside isn't the best. Forastero: 3/10 Bleh! I just really hate this. It tastes like bulldozer dust and the texture is super gritty. |
average score: 6.6/10 |
alain ducasse - venezuela criollo porcelana 75%, 04/02/19
Criollo: 8/10
A nice chocolate with a light wave of bitterness. This gives it a rich, dark, velvety taste. Trinitario: 8.8/10 A hugely complex flavour, which I really admire. The tastes are delicate, fruity, with a bright acidity which isn't altogether disagreeable. Forastero: 9/10 Only spoiled by the musty aftertaste, the initial flavour is fresh and fruity, perfectly melty, just brilliant. |
average score: 8.6/10 |
galler - 85%, 01/02/19
Criollo: 6/10
Jasmine-y flavour but atificial sweetness and a fake taste lets it down. Trinitario: 5.5/10 Tastes like what Jasmine flower perfume would do. I really do not like it :( Not melty enough. Forastero: 8.8/10 I love the jasmine and the rich cocoa flavour of this chocolate, and the texture is fairly melty, however it could be deeper and more more-ish. |
average score: 7.76/10 |
Seed + Bean - Sao Tome coconut and raspberry 66%, 31/01/19
Criollo: 7.5/10
Very tangy and raspberry-ey and a bit sour. Overshadows the taste of the chocolate. Trinitario: 7/10 Although I did not like this at first, I quickly started craving it, therefore, very addictive. The main taste is raspberry, with chocolate in the background. Interesting Forastero: 8/10 Very addictive, although a little sweet. Very strong raspberry flavour. |
average score 7.5/10 |
le petit duc - Madagascar sambirano 70%, 25/01/19
Criollo: 7.5/10
A bitter tang with a nice texture. Good if you are a fan of dark chocolate Trinitario: 7/10 Very acidic in a fruity way. Definitely not one of my favourites. Texture is average. Not bad. Forastero: 7/10 Really sour and a little sweet, medium texture. |
average score: 7.16/10 |
Willie's cacao - Rio caribe gold venezuela 72%, 21/01/19
Criollo: 9.6/10
Amazing taste and texture. All the flavour notes work together to create a perfect taste. Needs a little more meltiness. Trinitario: 8.5/10 Very nutty with notes of coffee. I really like the taste, although there is acidity. The texture could be a bit smoother and meltier. A great find! Forastero: 9.6/10 This is almost perfect, just lacking a little more meltiness. The flavours turn from red fruits, to lemon, to nuts and coffee with a hint of smoke. |
average score: 9.23/10 |
alain ducasse - peru trinitario 100%, 11/01/19
Criollo: 8.3/10
A good taste for 100%. Not a fan of the aftertaste, however. I didn't get any flavour notes. Trinitario: 9/10 A lovely intensity with hints of flavours (floral taste). Slightly grainy in texture, making it interesting. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who likes very dark chocolate. My favourite >95%. Forastero: 8.5/10 A lemony freshness provides interest, with a hint of jasmine, however it is slightly grainy. |
average score: 8.6/10 |
alain ducasse - honduras trintario mayan red 75%, 11/01/19
Criollo: 7/10
Sweet but nice flavours with complexity. Slightly grainy and not a great aftertaste. Trinitario: 9.8/10 I LOVE THIS CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!! The flavour is complex, with hints of dried fruit and dried orange. Generally nutty with hints of fresh acidity which are not overwhelming. Although the texture could be improved in smoothness, the chocolate is still melty. It has a lingering taste which reminds you of the pleasure you encountered. I would strongly recommend this! Forastero: 6.5/10 A little too sweet and medium meltiness, but nothing special. |
average score: 7.67/10 |
Charles Chocolates - tres cajores 65%, 11/01/19
Criollo: 7.4/10
I like the consistency of the chocolate. A bit sweet and melty. The nuts are lovely. Trinitario: 6.8/10 Very melty and pleasant at first, but then the sugar hits and you begin to regret the size of the square. Nice nuts, but too sweet to be truly yummy. Forastero: 7/10 I like the nutty crunch and it's very melty, but the sweetness becomes sickly. A well-rounded cacao flavour. |
average score: 7.06/10 |
patrick roger - Colombia 75% ,11/01/19
Criollo: 8/10
Silky, nice. Nothing in particular. Trinitario: 8.6/10 This chocolate is crazily silky. Forastero: 8.5/10 Sooo smooth and silky, but very sweet. A hint of citrus and raspberry. |
average score: 8.36/10 |
Harry - Venezuela with Caramel, Crêpes dentelles and sea salt 70% , 8/1/19
Criollo: 8.8/10
I really like the taste, reminded me of white chocolate. Trinitario: 8.5/10 This is a lovely chocolate tablet for those looking for a fulfilling sweet treat. A simple, slightly fruity chocolate remains in the background, while the crispy texture of the crêpe dentelle is enhanced by the simple taste.The caramel 'éclats' are a yummy addition, making this chocolate as rich as if it were filled. The salt balances the high level of sugar. I would prefer it if it was a little less sweet, with slightly more complex taste, maybe a bit of smokiness would be a good addition. The chocolate is still pleasantly melty, I think that the merits of this chocolate lie not so much in the taste as in the complexity of the texture. It really merits its 8.5/10. Forastero: 8.5/10 It has a slight popping candy-ness with a not-too-sweet flavour and cocoa depth, however I dislike salted chocolate. |
average score: 8.76/10NOTE: If you are in Paris, I would highly recommend making a stop at Mococha on Rue Mouffetard, it is home to 3 chocolatiers who are very good, but do not have shops in Paris. They have a nice array of filled chocolates and tablets.
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venchi - peru 100%, 7/1/19
Criollo: 8/10
A strong cacao taste, slightly overwhelming. Would be nice in small bits or with vanilla ice cream. Trinitario: 7.5/10 This chocolate is almost overwhelmingly strong. A relatively plain tasting cacao, with a hint of lemon-freshness. Nice to eat in tiny pieces, but only for a cacao lover. Not recommended for comfort eating in large quantities Forastero: 7.5/10 Very strong. There is a lemon and cranberry flavour, with lots of cacao, but it's a little too bitter. |
average score: 7.67/10 |
maison Chevallot Val D'isère - Guanaja 70% , 17/12/18
Criollo: 8/10
I liked the interesting overall flavour and texture however it was quite sweet. Trinitario: 7.5/10 A good flavour, quite complex, with different notes becoming apparent as it melts: a touch of citrus and woodiness. The texture was quite complex overall but a bit grainy. A good find for skiing. Forastero: 7/10 I didn't really like the flavour so much here, as it lacked depth. The first thing that struck me was its over-sweetness and grainy texture. |
average score: 7.5/10 |
Godiva - Mexico with toasted coconut 68% , 17/12/18
Criollo: 9/10
Crispy pieces of toasted coconut mixed into the chocolate giving a lovely taste. Quite sweet. Trinitario: 7/10 Once again, the coconut saves the day for this chocolate. I find it a bit too sweet and too plain, but the coconut tastes nice. Forastero: 7.8/10 Melty and lovely coconut crunch. A gentle caramel toasted flavour, but this is a little too sweet for me. |
Average score: 7.93/10 |
godiva - MEXICO WITH Himalayan Salt 68% , 17/12/18
Criollo: 8.5/10
A nice salted chocolate which adds flavour and dimension. Not a fan of the aftertaste. Trinitario: 7.5/10 I really like the addition of salt to this generally plain chocolate. I find it otherwise to be a bit too sweet for my taste. I would prefer it darker. Forastero: 7.5/10 Too salty but it is very melty. The beans have a lovely flavour of deep chocolatey-ness. A hint of citrus and coffee comes through. |
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Marcolini - Box of 18 saveurs du monde (approx 70-80%), 17/12/18
ecuador
Criollo: 8.6/0
The taste is woody and smoky with an undertone of coffee. It's very interesting. Trinitario: 10/10 A delicious chocolate, with a woody and smoky taste, with perhaps a touch of coffee. This is my favourite type of chocolate, with absolutely no sourness. The flavour is supported by Marcolini's signature silky texture. Incredible! Forastero: 8.7/10 Very smoky and woody with a hint of coffee. As always it is very silky. |
average score: 9.1/10 |
Java
Criollo: 9/10
Smoky and slightly bitter! A very strong taste which I ended up loving. Trinitario: 7/10 I am in shock. Literally. The first taste is just strongly bitter, and then the innocent taster gets an explosion of smoke. This is due to the way the beans in Java are dried (using fire). The texture is pleasant. If you love smoky chocolate, this is a definite yes for you. Forastero: 6/10 Tooooo smoky! There was a fire practically burning in my mouth! It is also quite bitter, but the texture is lovely. |
average score: 7.3/10 |
Madagascar
Criollo: 7.8/10
A nice chocolate but it has undertones of rubber. The flavour combinations are nice however. Trinitario: 9.5/10 I really like this chocolate. Quite complex, sour and woody. Truly delicious. Forastero: 9/10 It has a strong citrussy flavour and it melts very well. The flavour is deep and complex, and not too sweet. |
average score: 8.76/10 |
Cuba
Criollo: 9/10
A nice sweet chocolate which expanded to smokiness succintly. Lovely! Trinitario: 9/10 A nice smokiness in the background. Much more pleasant than the Java, with a Marcolini texture. Pretty good. Forastero: 8.2/10 This bar is far more acidic and a little smokier, but still melty and smooth. |
average score: 8.73/10 |
Peru
Criollo: 8.5/10
I really liked the texture of this chocolate, it was smooth, almost like cutting through melted butter. The taste itself is a bit smoky and unexpected. Trinitario: 9/10 A bit sour, with a smoky woodiness truly defines this chocolate. A bit sour for me. Good texture and very good. I love MARCOLINI! :) Forastero: 9.3/10 Very fruity and not too sweet. The flavour is complex and accompanied by a delicious melting and smooth texture. |
average score: 8.93/10 |
Pierre marcolini
Criollo: 7.5/10
Not a bad chocolate but nothing particularly stands out. The texture is slightly grainy. A safe bet. Trintario: 8.5/10 this chocolate is very rounded, with no particular stand-out taste which makes it a safe bet for anyone. It has notes of everything. Different texture from usual Marcolini. Almost sandy. Pretty good. I prefer chocolates with a more complex taste. Forastero: 7.8/10 Very chocolatey with a well-rounded flavour, but nothing particular. A slightly grainy but melty texture. |
average score: 7.93/10 |
Hotel Chocolat - aracataca Colombia 95%, 27/09/18
Criollo: 8.5/10
A bitter, dark taste with a smooth, slightly melty texture, but missing a magic ingredient. Trinitario: 7.5/10 This could have had more flavour, and the texture could have been smoother and meltier. Forastero: 8.5/10 A delicious alternately sweet / savoury taste, but lacking in meltiness. |
Average score: 8.16/10 |
conscious chocolate - plain jane raw chocolate ecuador 70% , 01/10/18
Criollo: 7.5/10
A rich, brownie-like taste with a unique texture. Trinitario: 7.8/10 A rich taste, so not to be eaten in large quantities, and quite sweet. Heavenly and brownie-like, but with a slightly sandy texture, although very melty. Forastero: 8/10 A melty and brownie-like taste, but with a slightly grainy texture. |
Average Score: 7.76/10 |
divine - Sao tomé organic 95%, 03/10/18
Criollo: 9/10
Dark, slightly bitter and very smooth and melty. Trinitario: 8.5/10 A dark, woody taste that is not at all sour. The texture is very smooth and melty. Forastero: 8.75/10 A dark and pleasantly bitter taste, with a hint of sweetness. It is very melty! |
Average Score: 8.75/10 |
Godiva - 90%, 4/10/18
Criollo: 8/10
Very sweet for 90% and quite smooth but not really melty. Trinitario: 8.75/10 A quite sweet taste for a 90%, making it more palatable for those who do not like very dark chocolate. The texture is very smooth and melty. Forastero: 8.5/10 Very sweet and melty, with a hint of salty citrus. |
Average score: 8.38/10 |
Doisy and Dam - coconut and lucuma 74%, 10/10/18
Criollo: 8.25/10
This chocolate has a good crunch and a strong coconut taste with an underlying tinge of sweetness. Trinitario: 7.6/10 This chocolate is very, very coconutty, which is very nice to some extent, but after a while one starts to with that it was more subtle. It has a strangely soapy aftertaste. It is packed with coconut, so the texture is not very smooth, and the chocolate could be a bit more melty. Forastero: 7/10 Crunchy and coconutty, with a coconut shampoo-like smell, but a bit powdery and too sweet. |
Average score: 7.62/10 |
Green & blacks - Sea salt 70%, 11/10/18
Criollo: N/A
Criollo does not have a review for this chocolate. Trinitario: 8/10 This chocolate is sweet and salty, perhaps too much so, as I would have preferred it to be a bit darker and with a little less salt. However, it has a nice taste which is not sour at all, something which I do not like in chocolate. Overall it is quite delicious. Forastero: 7/10 This chocolate is very salty, perhaps even too much. It is also a bit too sweet but it is melty, which brings it up a little. It reminds me of salty popping candy! |
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hotel chocolat - st lucia 85%, 8/11/18
Criollo: 8/10
This chocolate is very smooth and hard on the outside. It is rich in cacao with a smoky aftertaste. Not very sweet. Trinitario: 8/10 Pleasantly dark without having the bitterness which puts many people off dark chocolate. It is relatively melty with a smoky and savoury flavour. Good. Forastero: 9/10 Pleasantly melty with a little texture, very rich in cacao and perfectly sweet with a savoury, smoky hint. |
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noi sirius (icelandic chocolate) 70%, 2/11/18
Criollo: N/A
Criollo does not have a review for this chocolate. Trinitario: 6/10 This Icelandic chocolate is very sweet with a simple flavour, making it better for cooking than for eating. Forastero: 6.5/10 A very sweet chocolate with a strong cacao flavour, although not complex enough. It melts very well so is good for baking. |
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Doisy and dam - maca, vanilla & cocoa nibs 74%, 19/11/18
Criollo: 8.5/10
This is quite a sweet chocolate with a bitter aftertaste. The texture is crunchy but not really melty. Trinitario: 8.3/10 Quite sweet, but not overly so. I really like the crunchy-ness of the cocoa nibs. I will definitely buy this again. Forastero: 8/10 Fairly sweet but pleasantly chocolatey with a delicious crunch from the cocoa nibs. Maybe a little too much vanilla. |
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equal exchange chocolate - 88%, 20/11/18
Criollo: 7.5/10
This is a bitter chocolate with a strong flavour, it is nicely chocolatey and somewhat melty in texture. Trinitario: 7.5/10 Strongly chocolatey, quite melty, but not my favourite. Forastero: 8/10 Not a particularly distinct flavour, but nicely chocolatey and quite melty. |
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divine - 85%, 22/11/18
Criollo: 8.5/10
Strong taste, elements of sweetness but not very melty. Trinitario: 8.5/10 This chocolate is very cacao-ey, similar in taste to good dark chocolate, however it lacks meltiness. Very nice. Forastero: 8.3/10 Very chocolatey and cacao-ey; a bit powdery but well rounded. |
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green and blacks - 85%, 29/11/18
Criollo: N/A
Criollo does not have a review for this chocolate. Trinitario: 8/10 Woody and smoky with an acidic hint, this chocolate has a pleasantly complex flavour which is accentuated by its meltiness. Forastero: 8/10 Quite melty, with a generic cacao flavour and an acidic hint. Very rich. |
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marcolini - venezuela enivré 78%, 10/12/18
Criollo: 9/10
A nice dark chocolate, with a lovely aftertaste. Has a melty feeling. Trinitario: 10/10 This is probably the best chocolate ever. It has a high level of complexity: fruity and woody with the teeniest sour tinge. It is melty and ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Forastero: 9.5/10 This is really an incredible chocolate. It has so many different notes of flavour, including coffee. A pleasant texture rounds it off nicely. |
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montezuma's - cocoa nibs 70% , 12/12/18
Criollo: N/A
Criollo does not have a review for this chocolate. Trinitario: 7.5/10 A pleasant flavour and texture, however, this chocolate lacks the complexity in flavour needed to make it truly delicious. The cocoa nibs make a nice addition. Forastero: 8/10 Not melty enough but the cocoa nibs were good. |
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Hotel chocolat - ghana 85%, 12/12/18
Criollo: 7/10
Not melty but has an interesting flavour and is quite dark. Trinitario: 6.5/10 This chocolate is definitely not one of my favourites. It is not melty enough, and therefore causes the eater to chew it after a while of desperate sucking. The flavour is interesting, smoky with perhaps a tinge of alcohol. Complex, but once again not my favourite. Almost slightly 'écoerant' (sickly in English). Forastero: 8.5/10 Not melty enough but with a very strong and complex, interesting flavour. |
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Montezuma's - Dragon ginger 70% , 17/12/18
Criollo: 8/10
Nice and sweet with a lovely ginger taste due to the Chinese dragon ginger. Slightly melty with a strong overall flavour. Trinitario: 8/10 A lovely gingery taste, with little crystals. It is perfect for chocolate and ginger lovers. The crystals bring a nice complexity to the texture, the chocolate itself being smooth. Forastero: 8.2/10 I love the chunks of ginger which add a strong but pleasant flavour, with a somewhat melty and smooth texture aside from the crunchy crystals. The cocoa flavour is general, but strong and delicious. |
Average score: 8.1/10
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Pierre Hermé - Java 75% , 17/12/18
Criollo: 9/10
Silky smooth with a background citrus taste - possibly due to the java bean. Rich and slightly sweet. Trinitario: 8/10 Incredibly silky, as the first thing that you notice about this chocolate is its texture. As a second though, the citrus notes are pleasant for those who like a sour taste, but I am not a fan. Forastero: 9/10 Super silky with a strong citrus flavour. It's not too sweet for 75% and rich cocoa tones. |
Average Score: 8.67/10 |
Best dark chocolate so far! (try these!)
1: ALAIN DUCASSE - MADAGASCAR CRIOLLO BEJOFO FARM 75%, with 9.72/10
2: ALAIN DUCASSE - FOURRÉE HAZELNUT PRALINÉ & FLEUR DE SEL 75% , with 9.6/10
3: MARANÁ - SAN MARTÍN PERU FARM, with 9.57/10.
2: ALAIN DUCASSE - FOURRÉE HAZELNUT PRALINÉ & FLEUR DE SEL 75% , with 9.6/10
3: MARANÁ - SAN MARTÍN PERU FARM, with 9.57/10.