This is my own opinion of the chocolates I have tasted. Some of them, expensive and inexpensive, I tried because the specific chocolate or brand was given a high rating on other chocolate sites. I have used a report card rating system to keep the quality differentiation simple and broad, since ultimately "the best chocolate is the one you like the most" anyway. There is very little consensus, even among the "experts", on which chocolate is an "A" and which is a "D", so make up your own mind. A chocolate can vary slightly or significantly due to changes in cacao bean crop quality from year to year as well. It isn't economically feasible to eat price no object chocolate bars on a regular basis, but they do set a standard of comparison for good value chocolates. I am probably more critical (or cynical) than most chocoholics, so my "C" rated chocolate is relatively good. A "D" chocolate, however, you would have to pay me to eat.
I realize that my list is bottom heavy for "fine" chocolates or lonely at the top. My top rated chocolates also happen to be European and expensive. I don't apologize for that. I really only appreciate the "B" or better chocolates, and fortunately I can still buy some of them in bulk at a somewhat reasonable price to meet my chocolate need. I'll even buy a "C-" chocolate bar at the store when I'm desperate.
Most of the dark chocolates at the top of my list are in the 65% - 75% cocoa (European bitter-sweet) range as that is generally not too sweet or too bitter for me. These are all solid, plain chocolates without nuts, fruit flavors, or fillings of any kind. Milk chocolate is reviewed in a separate table below. Except as noted, the ingredients are cocoa solids, sugar, cocoa butter, and optionally natural vanilla and soy lecithin (note - those with a food sensitivity to soy can try brands like Amedei and Michel Cluizel, which don't use soy lecithin). I like an intense pure cocoa flavor that is still subtle or complex and is not overwhelmed by sweetness or bitterness (minimal, if any, hints of smoke/ash, earth, wood, tobacco). I like fruitiness where I can get it and sourness doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't overwhelm the chocolate flavor. The mouth feel should be smooth (not gritty) and creamy (not dry). Ideally, the flavor and its intensity should be fairly constant without any bitterness or astringency from initial taste to aftertaste, and it should last a long time.
|
Brand/Owner |
Type |
% Cocoa |
Grade |
Comments |
Price/Availability |
Country of Brand/Manufacture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Valrhona |
Ampamakia 2002 - 2008 |
64 |
A |
very chocolaty throughout with burst in late middle taste, somewhat complex chocolate, red fruit flavor, smooth, refined, creamy, fairly sweet, satisfying, fairly long duration, (note - Madagascar single origin), (note - see Ampamakia 2009 and 2010 for newer vintage description), Updated: Dec 2010 |
$5.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
El Pedregal 2011 |
64 |
A- |
very chocolaty, slight fruit flavor, somewhat sweet, slightly astringent, not creamy, similar to original Chuao and Ampamakia, fairly short duration, expensive but best available, (note - best Porcelana/Criollo I've tasted by far), New: Dec 2011 |
$7.50 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Amedei |
Chuao |
70 |
B+ |
rich, very chocolaty in middle taste, some red fruit, somewhat dry, slightly bitter, slight chalkiness in texture and flavor, medium duration, very satisfying, Updated: Dec 2008 |
$12 for 1.75 oz bar or |
Italy |
|
Valrhona |
Chuao 2003 |
65 |
B |
fairly chocolaty, subtle but satisfying chocolate, slightly fruity, somewhat sweet, creamy, smooth, fairly long lasting, no longer available |
$4.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Mangaro |
65 |
B |
chocolaty throughout except for weak initial taste, fairly pure chocolate flavor, fairly smooth, slightly sweet, medium duration, (note - ridiculous price for smaller bars now), (note - Madagascar single origin), Updated: Dec 2011 |
$6.25 for 2.4 oz bar or |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Ampamakia 2009 |
64 |
B |
similar to 2002 - 2008, including red fruit flavor, but less chocolaty, less creamy, and medium duration, New: Nov 2009 |
$5.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Madagascar |
70 |
B- |
subtle chocolate, chocolaty, weak initial taste, earthy, finish consistent with middle taste, slightly dry, somewhat astringent, medium duration, very satisfying, Updated: Nov 2009 |
$28.50 for 30 wrapped tasting squares / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Amedei |
9 |
75 |
B- |
very chocolaty, slightly bitter, somewhat dry, slight chalkiness, somewhat astringent, similar to Tuscan Black, satisfying, fairly long lasting, (note - ridiculous price now), New: Mar 2006 |
$94 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Los Ancones |
67 |
B- |
chocolaty, smoky, slightly dry, some grittiness, medium duration, fairly satisfying, (note - ridiculous price for smaller bars now), Updated: Dec 2010 |
$6 for 2.4 oz bar or |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Ampamakia 2010 |
64 |
B- |
chocolaty in middle taste, only slightly fruity, New: Dec 2010 |
$6.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Callebaut |
Extra-bitter 3 x 4 |
62 |
B- |
consistent chocolate flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, chocolaty, sweet in middle taste, creamy, long lasting, probably no longer available |
$5 for 6.6 oz / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Amedei |
Tuscan Black 70% |
70 |
B- |
weak initial taste, consistent chocolate flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, rich chocolate flavor, fairly dry, fairly astringent, long lasting |
$68 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Valrhona |
Tainori |
64 |
C+ |
chocolaty, slightly dry and chalky, somewhat sweet, fairly satisfying, somewhat short duration, New: Nov 2009 |
$5.65 for 2.4 oz bar or |
France |
|
Callebaut |
Extra-bitter 3 x 4 |
60 |
C+ |
consistent chocolate flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, sweet, chocolaty but somewhat overwhelmed by sweetness, probably no longer available, New: Dec 2005 |
$5 for 6.6 oz / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Domori |
Sambirano |
70 |
C+ |
chocolaty, rich, somewhat bitter, tobacco flavor, somewhat astringent, (note - Madagascar single origin), (note - if you must try Domori, this is the one to try) |
$22 for 7 oz wrapped tasting squares / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Dagoba |
Organic New Moon |
74 |
C+ |
weak initial taste, very chocolaty, rich, somewhat fruity in middle taste, medium duration |
$2.30 for 2 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Grenada |
70 |
C+ |
weak initial taste, very chocolaty and somewhat earthy in middle taste, not creamy, slightly bitter |
$23 for 30 wrapped tasting squares or |
Italy |
|
Callebaut |
Extra-bitter 3 x 4 |
70 |
C+ |
simple and crude but chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat acrid, somewhat sweet, dry and chalky texture, medium duration, New: Dec 2008 |
$8 for 5.3 oz / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Dagoba |
Organic Eclipse |
87 |
C+ |
rich and intense chocolate, fairly bitter, medium duration |
$2.75 for 2 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Maralumi |
64 |
C+ |
somewhat chocolaty (mostly in middle taste), slightly sweet, strong plum and raisin almost covers up chocolatiness, somewhat satisfying, Updated: Dec 2008 |
$6.35 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere or |
France |
|
El Rey |
San Joaquin Private Reserve |
70 |
C+ |
weak initial taste, refined chocolate, clean floral taste, not creamy, very short duration, only available in hard to bite one inch thick block, probably no longer available |
$32 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
Venezuela |
|
Valrhona |
Manjari |
64 |
C+ |
weak initial taste, somewhat chocolaty, somewhat chalky, sour, especially in middle taste, fairly short duration, (note - pellets definitely have more flavor than 10 oz chef block form), (warning - most people will hate a sour chocolate, but a few will love it) |
$10 for 7 oz bar or |
France |
|
Amedei |
Tuscan Black 66% |
66 |
C |
weak initial taste, slightly chocolaty, somewhat sweet, somewhat dry, some chalk flavor, somewhat astringent, medium duration, Updated: Dec 2010 |
$68 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Godiva/Campbell |
72% Demitasse |
72 |
C |
weak initial taste, somewhat chocolaty in middle taste, creamy, mild, slightly sweet, ingredients Not Specified |
$39 per lb wrapped tasting squares / Godiva shops |
USA/Belgium |
|
Valrhona |
Caraibe |
66 |
C |
weak initial taste, chocolaty in middle taste, simple chocolate flavor, some chalk flavor, somewhat dry, very slightly sweet, medium duration, Updated: Nov 2009 |
$5.65 for 2.4 oz bar or |
France |
|
Godiva/Campbell |
Dark Demitasse |
60 ? |
C |
somewhat chocolaty, sweet, smooth, fairly short duration, ingredients Not Specified |
$.50 per wrapped tasting square / Godiva shops |
USA/ |
|
Amedei |
Porcelana |
70 |
C |
very chocolaty, dry with slight chalk flavor, not sweet, somewhat astringent, very satisfying, medium duration |
$10 for 1.75 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Concepcion |
66 |
C |
moderate chocolate intensity, slightly bitter and sweet, sweet throughout, short duration |
$6 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Green & Black's |
Organic Dark |
70 |
C |
fairly chocolaty, slightly sour in middle taste, rich, tobacco flavor, dry, slightly waxy, astringent, medium duration, satisfying, (warning - too strong for some people), Updated: Nov 2009 |
$3 for 3.5 oz bar /
Walmart |
UK/Italy |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Venezuela |
70 |
C |
chocolaty and astringent in middle taste, somewhat acrid, medium duration |
$23 for 30 wrapped tasting squares or |
Italy |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Ecuador |
70 |
C |
somewhat chocolaty (mostly in aftertaste), somewhat chalky, medium duration |
$23 for 30 wrapped tasting squares or |
Italy |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Villa Gracinda |
67 |
C |
fairly mild chocolate intensity but consistent throughout and satisfying, smooth, medium duration, New: Dec 2007 |
$6 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Guanaja 70% |
70 |
C- |
slightly chocolaty, slight chalk flavor, medium duration |
$3.75 for 2.6 oz bar or |
France |
|
Askinosie |
San Jose del Tambo |
70 |
C- |
medium chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat bitter, especially in aftertaste, some coffee flavor, astringent, short duration, New: Dec 2007 |
$7.50 for 3 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Valrhona |
Chuao 2002 |
65 |
C- |
somewhat chocolaty, mild overall, chocolate bar past expiration and probably showing its age (note - see Chuao 2003 for original description of Chuao 2002), no longer available |
$4.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Palmira 2005 |
64 |
C- |
chocolaty in middle taste, mild and ordinary chocolate, slight chalk flavor, medium duration, New: Mar 2006 |
$4.85 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
El Rey |
Mijao |
61 |
C- |
simple but pure chocolate flavor, only slightly chocolaty, very sweet in middle taste, short duration, very popular chocolate |
$3 for 2.8 oz bar or |
Venezuela |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Tamarina |
70 |
C- |
weak initial taste, not very chocolaty, slightly sweet and slightly bitter, not creamy, medium duration, mild overall |
$6 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Gran Couva 2003 |
64 |
C- |
more acrid than chocolaty, chalk flavor, somewhat sweet, smooth, fairly long lasting |
$4.25 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Slitti |
Gran Cacao Bitter-sweet |
73 |
C- |
weak initial taste, very chocolaty, consistent from initial taste to aftertaste, somewhat dry, somewhat bitter, fairly long lasting |
$9 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Grand Amer 85% |
85 |
C- |
intense, slightly smoky chocolate flavor, consistent from initial taste to aftertaste, could be sweeter for my taste, rich and smooth, not creamy, fairly long lasting |
$5 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Trader Joe's |
Reserva Sao Tome |
72 |
C- |
very intense, but crude, very earthy, smoky chocolate, slight tobacco flavor, dry, not smooth, somewhat bitter, but satisfying |
$3 for 7 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
Switzerland |
|
Lake Champlain |
Sao Thome Dark |
70 |
C- |
weak initial taste, medium chocolaty, mostly in middle taste, somewhat smoky, medium duration, New: Oct 2007 |
$5 for 3 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA |
|
Dagoba |
Organic Dark |
59 |
C- |
weak initial taste, very sweet, somewhat chocolaty, fairly short duration |
$2.30 for 2 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA |
|
El Rey |
Gran Saman |
70 |
C- |
moderately chocolaty, woody chocolate flavor, rich, slightly bitter, somewhat dry, not smooth |
$3 for 2.8 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Venezuela |
|
Pralus |
Ghana |
75 |
C- |
some simple chocolate flavor in middle taste, astringent |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Pralus |
Sao Tome |
75 |
C- |
slightly chocolaty, slight tobacco flavor, somewhat astringent, satisfying, fairly long lasting |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Amedei |
Tuscan Black 63% |
63 |
C- |
weak initial taste, slightly chocolaty, acrid, fairly sweet, dry finish, somewhat astringent, medium duration |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar or |
Italy |
|
Bonnat |
Puerto Cabello |
75 |
C- |
slightly chocolaty, fairly dry, slightly gritty, fairly bitter, somewhat chalky, fairly astringent |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Pralus |
Madagascar |
75 |
C- |
weak initial taste, somewhat chocolaty, especially in middle taste, rich, somewhat bitter, more tobacco than chocolate flavor, some grittiness, fairly short duration |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bernard Callebaut |
Dark Chocolate Bar |
66 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, somewhat sweet, medium duration, now similar to their cheap couverture, Updated: Dec 2011 |
$3.50 for 2 oz Dark Chocolate Bar / Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut or Bernard C / Bernard Callebaut |
Canada |
|
Nirvana |
Sao Thome |
70 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty, slightly dry, fairly short duration, New: Dec 2007 |
$5 for 2.9 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Giraudi |
Cumarebo 70% |
70 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, slightly bitter including aftertaste, not creamy, thin overall, fairly short duration, New: Dec 2006 |
$10.85 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
El Rey |
Bucare |
58 |
D+ |
sweetness overwhelms chocolate, very sweet, not creamy |
$3 for 2.8 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Venezuela |
|
Scharffen Berger/Hershey's |
Bittersweet Pure Dark |
70 |
D+ |
weak initial taste, moderately chocolaty, especially in middle taste, very candy-like for a 70% chocolate, acidic, somewhat sour, somewhat astringent, medium duration, smooth and mild overall, (manufacturing Quality Control problem - second 3 oz bar had some glass chips in it) |
$3 for 3 oz bar or |
USA |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Amer 60% |
60 |
D+ |
initially sweet lasting into aftertaste overwhelms chocolate flavor |
$5 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Cailler/Nestle Switzerland |
Extra Fine Dark |
44 |
D+ |
very sweet, especially in middle taste, very smooth, very mild buttery chocolate flavor, medium duration, main ingredient is sugar |
no longer available |
Switzerland |
|
Domori |
Carenero Superior |
70 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty, taste of model glue or alcohol especially in middle taste, somewhat astringent, New: Dec 2005 |
$22 for 7 oz wrapped tasting squares / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Esmeraldas |
70 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty, some tobacco flavor, somewhat bitter, medium duration |
$22 for 7 oz wrapped tasting squares / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Pralus |
Jamaique |
75 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat sour, somewhat creamy, fairly long lasting |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Pralus |
Colombie |
75 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, somewhat smoky, very slightly sweet, medium duration |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Domori |
Blend No 1 |
78 |
D+ |
very slightly chocolaty, bitter, somewhat acrid, boring |
$5 for 1.8 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Green & Black's |
Organic Cooking |
72 |
D+ |
waxy, somewhat chocolaty, somewhat bitter, minimal flavor |
$6.50 for 5.3 oz bar / Chocosphere |
UK/Italy |
|
Callebaut |
Extra Bitter-sweet |
71 |
D+ |
weak initial taste, somewhat smoky chocolate flavor, somewhat bitter, astringent, especially in aftertaste, fairly long lasting |
$18.75 for 2.2 lb / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Schokinag |
Bittersweet |
72 |
D+ |
chocolaty, slightly bitter, astringent |
$10.80 for 9 oz bar / chocolatesource.com |
Germany |
|
Madecasse |
Dark & Intense |
75 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, somewhat sour, somewhat bitter with bitter aftertaste, not smooth or creamy, astringent, New: Nov 2009 |
$6 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA/Madagascar |
|
Valrhona |
Alpaco |
66 |
D+ |
only slightly chocolaty in middle taste, very mild, short duration, New: Nov 2009 |
$5.70 for 2.4 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Le Noir |
56 |
D+ |
refined, smooth, sweet, sweetness mostly overwhelms chocolate taste |
$2.30 for 3.5 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
France |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Trinidad |
70 |
D+ |
strong tobacco flavor, acrid, chocolaty in middle and aftertaste |
$23 for 30 wrapped tasting squares or |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Apurimac |
70 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty in middle taste, Updated: Dec 2008 |
$8 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Rio Caribe |
70 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, some taste of model glue or alcohol, some astringency, medium duration, somewhat unpleasant, Updated: Dec 2008 |
$8 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Bonnat |
Hacienda El Rosario |
75 |
D+ |
somewhat chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat bitter |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bonnat |
Trinite |
75 |
D+ |
weak initial taste, more bitter than chocolaty in middle taste, fairly strong tobacco flavor, ash flavor especially in aftertaste, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Noir Amer |
71 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty in middle taste, smooth, no aftertaste, (manufacturing Quality Control problem - first bar had two small rocks in it, third bar was only partially wrapped in foil) |
$2.60 for 3.5 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Araguani |
72 |
D+ |
slightly chocolaty, somewhat bitter, fairly boring |
$30 for 2.2 lb bag of pellets / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Scharffen Berger/Hershey's |
Pure Dark |
60 |
D |
very sweet, slightly chocolaty, somewhat creamy, medium duration |
$2 for 2 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
USA |
|
Valrhona |
Gastronomie |
61 |
D |
slightly chocolaty, sweet, slightly acrid aftertaste |
$10 for 8.8 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Amano |
Madagascar |
70 |
D |
slightly chocolaty, sweet, very mild, medium duration, New: Dec 2007 |
$7 for 2 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Godiva/Campbell |
Dark |
60 ? |
D |
chocolaty in middle taste, sweet, slightly dry, short duration, boring, contains butter oil, milk, artificial vanillin, natural flavoring |
$2.75 for 1.5 oz Solid Dark Chocolate Bar / Godiva shops |
USA |
|
Bonnat |
Chuao |
75 |
D |
only slightly chocolaty in middle taste, weak initial taste, tobacco flavor, fairly bitter, smooth, somewhat unpleasant, Updated: Dec 2008 |
$8.25 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Amano |
Ocumare |
70 |
D |
slightly chocolaty in middle taste, no initial taste, somewhat waxy, aftertaste somewhat unpleasant, short duration, New: Dec 2008 |
$6.85 for 2 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Domori |
Puertomar |
75 |
D |
somewhat chocolaty, fairly strong taste of model glue or alcohol throughout, somewhat astringent, smooth |
$3.75 for .9 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Pralus |
Indonesie |
75 |
D |
not chocolaty, strong barbecue smoke flavor, slightly sour |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
See's |
Premium Extra Dark |
62 |
D |
hint of chocolate in middle taste, floral taste, very sweet, astringent, medium duration, contains butter, artificial vanillin, New: Nov 2009 |
$5 for 3-pack of 1.5 oz bars |
USA |
|
Domori |
Porcelana |
70 |
D |
minimal chocolate flavor, consistent flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, clean taste especially in aftertaste, very smooth, boring, fairly astringent |
$3.75 for .9 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Sur del Lago |
70 |
D |
slightly chocolaty, earth or chalk flavor, dry, gritty, slightly unpleasant, New: Dec 2005 |
$22 for 7 oz wrapped tasting squares / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Amedei |
I Cru - Jamaica |
70 |
D |
strong woody and slightly smoky chocolate in middle and aftertaste, somewhat dry, mostly unpleasant |
$23 for 30 wrapped tasting squares or |
Italy |
|
Pralus |
Equateur |
75 |
D |
weak initial taste, more acrid than chocolaty, slightly bitter in aftertaste, somewhat dry, slightly astringent, fairly long lasting |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bernard Castelain |
Tradition |
71 |
D |
simple and slightly chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat astringent, flavor similar to Santander, New: Nov 2005 |
$5 for 3.5 oz bar / World Wide Chocolate |
France |
|
Dolfin |
Noir 88 |
88 |
D |
like eating chocolate powder, but not bitter, ashy in middle taste, crude chocolate flavor, thin overall with short duration |
|
Belgium |
|
Bernard Castelain |
Macaibo |
70 |
D |
not chocolaty, astringent, flavor similar to Santander, New: Nov 2005 |
$5 for 3.5 oz bar / World Wide Chocolate |
France |
|
Bonnat |
Equateur |
75 |
D |
little flavor, mild overall, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bonnat |
Madagascar |
75 |
D |
somewhat bitter, burnt taste, short duration, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bonnat |
Ceylan |
75 |
D |
little flavor, somewhat acrid, dry, short duration, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Galler |
Noir 85 |
85 |
D |
rich, but not creamy, more bitter than chocolaty, medium duration, weak chocolate intensity, not pleasant |
|
Belgium |
|
Cote d'Or/Kraft |
Intense Noir de Noir 70% |
70 |
D |
sweet, smooth, very mild chocolate, not rich, not creamy, like watery milk chocolate, contains milkfat |
$4 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Pralus |
Venezuela |
75 |
D |
not chocolaty, somewhat acrid, somewhat smoky, somewhat dry |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Guido Gobino |
Venezuela |
70 |
D |
not chocolaty, somewhat dry, fairly astringent, New: Mar 2006 |
$8 for 2.3 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Scharffen Berger/Hershey's |
Semisweet |
62 |
D |
not chocolaty |
$3 for 3 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA |
|
Santander |
Bitter-Sweet 70% |
70 |
D |
not chocolaty, initially sweet, strong acrid aftertaste |
$1.65 for 2.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Colombia |
|
Guittard |
Sur del Lago |
65 |
D |
slightly chocolaty, somewhat astringent, chalk flavor, slightly acrid, waxy mouth feel, very bland overall |
$28 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Cote d'Or/Kraft |
Noir de Noir |
56 |
D |
sweet, somewhat chocolaty, acrid with same aftertaste, dry, waxy component part doesn't melt with remainder of chocolate |
$4.85 for 5.3 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Droste |
Barettini Extra Dark |
72 |
D |
more chalky than chocolaty, somewhat dry, somewhat astringent, acrid aftertaste, short duration, contains artificial vanillin |
|
Holland |
|
Villars |
Swiss Dark 72% |
72 |
D |
metallic, like licking a pipe, with same aftertaste, ashy chocolate, especially in middle taste, chalky, thin overall, contains artificial vanillin |
$1.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
Switzerland |
|
Dagoba |
Organic Conacado |
73 |
D |
very smoky chocolate, fairly bitter, dry, astringent, medium duration, not pleasant |
$2.75 for 2 oz bar / Chocosphere |
USA |
|
Lindt |
Excellence Dark 70% |
70 |
D |
smooth, fairly rich and creamy, more astringent than chocolaty, strong sweet and sour in middle taste quickly fades to bitterness, very short duration |
$2.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Switzerland/France |
|
Cafe-Tasse |
Noir Bitter |
70 |
D |
very smoky chocolate, slightly astringent |
|
Belgium |
|
Cafe-Tasse |
Extra Noir |
77 |
D |
brown wax |
|
Belgium |
|
Cafe-Tasse |
Extra Noir |
60 |
D |
not very chocolaty |
|
Belgium |
|
Venchi |
Cru di Cacao |
75 |
D |
not very chocolaty, dry |
|
Italy |
|
Trader Joe's |
Pound Plus Dark 70% |
71 |
D |
not very chocolaty, slightly bitter, dry, not smooth |
$3.30 for 17 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
Belgium |
|
Chocovic |
Ocumare |
71 |
D |
|
|
Spain |
|
Hershey's |
Special Dark |
Not |
D- |
not chocolaty, sickeningly sweet, slightly dry and chalky, course, medium duration, contains milk fat, lactose, artificial vanillin, milk, New: Nov 2009 |
$1.25 for 4.2 oz bar / Fry's grocery |
USA |
|
Domori |
Chacao Absolute |
70 |
D- |
very slight chocolate flavor, more acrid than chocolaty, taste of model glue or alcohol throughout, mostly unpleasant, New: Dec 2006 |
$4.45 for 1.75 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Puertofino |
70 |
D- |
slightly chocolaty, consistent flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, gritty, taste of model glue or alcohol throughout |
$3.50 for .9 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Domori |
Arriba |
70 |
D- |
no chocolate flavor, not a fine chocolate, Updated: Nov 2009 |
$5.50 for 1.7 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory |
Dark |
50 (not specified on label) |
D- |
unrefined with thick, clay-like texture, sweet, not a fine chocolate but not offensive either, (note - only chocolate with 100% Hawaiian cocoa beans), New: Apr 2006 |
$10 for 4 oz bar / Hawaiian Chocolate Factory |
USA |
|
Valrhona |
Noir Extra Amer |
85 |
D- |
extremely bitter (appropriately named dark extra bitter), somewhat sour, somewhat dry, bitterness overwhelms any chocolate flavor, medium duration, (note - made with African cocoa beans) |
$4.35 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Lindt |
Excellence Dark 85% |
85 |
D- |
more bitter than chocolaty, dry, astringent, especially in aftertaste |
$2.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Switzerland/France |
|
Trader Joe's |
Organic 73% Super Dark |
73 |
D- |
not chocolaty, very slightly bitter, New: Sep 2005 |
$1.80 for 3.5 oz bar / Trader Joe's |
Not Specified |
|
Lake Champlain |
Dark |
Not |
D- |
not chocolaty, very sweet, New: Oct 2007 |
$3.40 for 3 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA/Belgium,USA ? |
|
Valrhona |
Abinao |
85 |
D- |
not chocolaty, somewhat bitter, mild and boring, dry, somewhat astringent, New: Dec 2011 |
$5.65 for 2.4 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Pacari |
Manabi |
65 |
D- |
slightly sweet, perfume taste, acrid aftertaste, boring at best, New: Dec 2008 |
$3.45 for 1.7 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Ecuador |
|
Domori |
Kamba Blend 70 |
70 |
D- |
not chocolaty, acrid, unpleasant, New: Mar 2006 |
$6.65 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Hachez |
Cocoa D'Arriba Classic |
77 |
D- |
fairly bitter, dry, unpleasant, New: Dec 2005 |
$3.75 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Germany |
|
Guittard |
Harmony |
64 |
D- |
not chocolaty, astringent, somewhat dry, strong chemical taste, some chalk flavor, reverse flavorful like it's removing flavor from your mouth, very unpleasant |
|
USA |
|
Neuhaus |
Ocumare |
71 |
F |
not chocolaty, very mild, fairly dry, very astringent, New: Dec 2007 |
$7 for 2.8 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Belgium |
|
Chocovic |
Guaranda |
71 |
F |
|
|
Spain |
|
Bernard Callebaut |
Bitter-Sweet pellets |
72 |
F |
this couverture is not a fine chocolate |
$7 for 10 oz bag of drops / Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut or Bernard C |
Canada/Belgium |
|
Claudio Corallo |
75% |
75 |
F |
not a fine chocolate, very dry, very little flavor, New: Dec 2007 |
$12 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Sao Tome |
|
Republica del Cacao |
Manabi |
75 |
F |
not a fine chocolate, New: Dec 2008 |
$5.35 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Ecuador |
|
Feodora |
Grand'Or |
75 |
F |
not a fine chocolate, bitter, somewhat astringent, acrid, dry, unpleasant, New: Dec 2005 |
$5.25 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Germany |
|
Chocolove |
Strong Dark |
70 |
F |
not a fine chocolate |
|
USA |
|
Chocolove |
Extra Strong |
77 |
F |
not a fine chocolate |
|
USA |
|
Ghirardelli/Lindt |
Semi-sweet |
Not |
F |
not a fine chocolate, contains butter and milkfat |
|
USA |
Milk chocolate should have the same ingredients as dark chocolate, but it will also have milk powder. The fat should be from cocoa butter rather than milk fat. I expect milk chocolate to be softer than dark chocolate (easy to bite), sweet, and have a fresh milk flavor, but it should have an equally strong pure chocolate flavor. I haven't included any white chocolate (0 % cocoa solids), since it does not taste like chocolate to me, but see my sister's reviews: Karin's Fine White Chocolate and Marzipan Reviews.
|
Brand/Owner |
Type |
% Cocoa |
Grade |
Ingredients |
Comments |
Price/Availability |
Country of Brand/Manufacture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Valrhona |
Guanaja Lactee |
41 |
B+ |
sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, cocoa beans, soy lecithin, vanilla |
equal chocolate and fresh milk flavor, consistent flavor from initial taste to aftertaste, strong sweet milk flavor, buttery flavor, creamy, slow/fudge-like melt, fairly long lasting, Updated: Dec 2010 |
$29 for 2.2 lb block / World Wide Chocolate |
France |
|
Amedei |
Tuscan Brown |
32 |
B+ |
cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass, vanilla |
chocolaty, especially in middle taste, somewhat sweet, thick and rich but not creamy, somewhat astringent, fairly long duration, fairly satisfying, (note - ridiculous price now, but still very good), Updated: Dec 2011 |
$54 for 2.2 lb block / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Green & Black's |
Organic Milk |
34 |
B- |
organic raw cane sugar, organic whole milk powder, organic cocoa liquor, organic cocoa butter, soy lecithin, organic vanilla |
very chocolaty, much stronger chocolate than milk flavor, rich chocolate, dense texture, slightly dry, only slightly sweet, slightly astringent, satisfying for a milk chocolate, fairly long duration, Updated: Nov 2009 |
$3.30 for 3.5 oz bar / Whole Foods |
UK/Italy |
|
Lindt |
Classic Milk |
31 |
B- |
sugar, cocoa butter, milk, chocolate, lactose, skim milk, soy lecithin, barley malt powder, artificial vanillin |
chocolaty, especially in middle taste, rich, butterscotch flavor, sweet, creamy and fairly thick, smooth, slightly astringent, medium duration, Updated: Nov 2009 |
$1.90 for 4.4 oz bar / Walmart |
Switzerland/USA |
|
Bernard Callebaut |
Milk Chocolate Bar |
41 |
C+ |
cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cane sugar, cocoa liquor |
somewhat chocolaty, smooth, buttery flavor, fairly sweet, somewhat creamy, medium duration, Updated: Dec 2011 |
$3.50 for 2 oz Milk Chocolate Bar / Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut or Bernard C / Bernard Callebaut |
Canada |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Maralumi Milk |
47 |
C+ |
whole milk powder, cocoa, cocoa butter, cane sugar, bourbon vanilla |
somewhat chocolaty, some Maralumi chocolate flavor, equal chocolate and milk flavor, smooth, medium duration, New: Dec 2006 |
$5.95 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Godiva/Campbell |
Milk Demitasse |
Not |
C |
Not Specified |
somewhat chocolaty, more milk than chocolate flavor, fairly rich, buttery, refined, some mint flavor, fairly sweet, fairly short duration |
$.50 per wrapped tasting square / Godiva shops |
USA/ |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Grand Lait |
45 |
C |
cane sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa, bourbon vanilla |
weak initial taste, chocolaty, somewhat acrid, somewhat gritty |
$5.10 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Callebaut |
Milk |
32 |
C |
sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, lecithin, artificial vanillin |
chocolaty, equal chocolate and milk flavor, sweet, creamy, slightly acrid, somewhat astringent, medium duration, New: Dec 2005 |
$10 for 2-pack of 7 oz bars / World Wide Chocolate |
Belgium |
|
Valrhona |
Tanariva |
33 |
C- |
sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa beans, dried skim milk, natural vanilla extract, soy lecithin |
very sweet, slightly more milk than chocolate flavor, fairly chocolaty in middle taste, strong butterscotch flavor, fairly short duration, New: Dec 2005 |
$28.50 for 2.2 lb bag of pellets / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Mangaro Milk |
50 |
C- |
whole milk powder, cocoa, cocoa butter, cane sugar, bourbon vanilla |
slightly chocolaty, slightly acrid, slight salt taste, weak initial taste, not sweet, much more chocolate than milk flavor, somewhat astringent, medium duration, (note - ridiculous price for smaller bars now), Updated: Dec 2011 |
$6 for 2.4 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Domori |
Milk |
50 |
C- |
cocoa, cocoa butter, cane sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, whey powder, bourbon vanilla, soy lecithin |
sweet, somewhat chocolaty, mild, short duration, New: Dec 2005 |
$22 for 1.1 lb block / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Pralus |
Melissa |
45 |
C- |
cocoa, milk powder, sugar, GMO-free soy lecithin, vanilla |
somewhat chocolaty in middle taste, somewhat acrid, barbecue smoke flavor, somewhat astringent |
$8 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Godiva/Campbell |
Milk |
Not |
C- |
sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, milk, butter oil, soy lecithin, artificial vanillin, natural flavoring |
somewhat chocolaty, more milk than chocolate flavor, very sweet, fairly short duration, |
$2.75 for 1.5 oz Solid Milk Chocolate Bar / Godiva shops |
USA |
|
Dagoba |
Organic Milk |
37 |
C- |
organic evaporated cane juice, organic cocoa butter, organic milk powder, organic cocoa beans, non-GMO soy lecithin |
equal chocolate and milk flavor, mild chocolate flavor, slight mint flavor, medium duration |
$2.30 for 2 oz bar / Whole Foods |
USA |
|
Valrhona |
Jivara |
40 |
C- |
cocoa butter, sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa beans, brown sugar, malt extract, vanilla, soy lecithin |
weak initial taste, more milk than chocolate flavor, much more flavor in middle taste, medium duration |
$3.85 for 2.6 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Lait |
33 |
C- |
cane sugar, cocoa, powdered whole milk, bourbon vanilla |
slightly chocolaty, more milk than chocolate flavor, creamy, fairly short duration, probably no longer available |
$5.10 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Valrhona |
Le Lacte |
40 |
D+ |
cocoa butter, sugar, whole milk powder, cocoa beans, brown cane sugar, vanilla, soy lecithin, malt extract |
slightly chocolaty, creamy, very smooth, only slightly sweet, very slightly acrid, somewhat astringent, some chalk flavor, medium duration |
$4.35 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Lindt |
Excellence Extra Creamy |
Not |
D+ |
sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, chocolate, butterfat, lactose, skim milk powder, malt extract, soy lecithin, artificial vanillin |
strong butter and caramel flavor like butterscotch candy, rich but not chocolaty, fairly waxy, very sweet, very creamy, very smooth, slightly astringent |
$2.50 for 3.5 oz bar or |
Switzerland/France |
|
El Rey |
Caoba Milk |
41 |
D+ |
sugar, cocoa butter, dry whole milk, cocoa liquor, soy lecithin, vanilla |
relatively simple flavor compared to other milk chocolates, very sweet, slightly acrid or bitter, not creamy, medium duration |
$3 for 2.8 oz bar or |
Venezuela |
|
Bonnat |
Asfarth |
65 |
D+ |
cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder |
somewhat chocolaty, somewhat sweet, ash flavor, slightly dry, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Bernard Castelain |
Tradition Milk |
37 |
D+ |
sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, cocoa mass, soy lecithin, natural vanilla |
good but not chocolaty, nice cashew flavor, very smooth, not creamy, medium duration, New: Nov 2005 |
$2 for 1 oz bar or |
France |
|
Domori |
Kamba Milk with Vanilla |
44 |
D |
cane sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, bourbon vanilla, soy lecithin |
not chocolaty, strong butter flavor, somewhat wild or gamey milk flavor, waxy, smooth, refined, thin overall, short duration, New: Dec 2005 |
$6.25 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Bonnat |
Java |
65 |
D |
cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder |
slightly chocolaty in middle taste, slightly sweet, very slightly acrid or bitter in aftertaste, somewhat astringent, slightly unpleasant, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
See's |
Classic Milk |
Not |
D |
sugar, cocoa butter, milk, chocolate, soy lecithin, artificial vanillin |
minimal if any chocolate flavor, very sweet, dried milk flavor, slightly astringent, medium duration, New: Nov 2009 |
$5 for 3-pack of 1.5 oz bars |
USA |
|
Michel Cluizel |
Pure Java Milk |
50 |
D |
cocoa, powdered whole milk, cane sugar, vanilla |
more acrid than chocolaty, very little milk flavor, not sweet, astringent, medium duration, probably no longer available |
$5 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Slitti |
Lattenero |
45 |
D |
sugar, cocoa mass, milk powder, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural flavor |
weak initial taste, more acrid or bitter than chocolaty, somewhat astringent, creamy, medium duration |
$8.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Bonnat |
Surabaya |
65 |
D- |
cocoa, sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder |
minimal flavor, some wood flavor throughout, slightly acrid or bitter especially in aftertaste, smooth but not creamy, very short duration, New: Nov 2005 |
$7.50 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Slitti |
Lattenero |
70 |
D- |
cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, soy lecithin, natural flavor |
more acrid or bitter than chocolaty, not sweet, chalk flavor, dry, somewhat astringent, not pleasant |
$9 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Italy |
|
Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory |
Milk |
36 (not specified on label) |
F |
sugar, 100% Hawaiian cocoa beans, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, lecithin, vanilla |
not a fine chocolate, unrefined with thick, clay-like texture, strong taste of dried milk, very sweet, New: Apr 2006 |
$10 for 4 oz bar / Hawaiian Chocolate Factory |
USA |
|
Weiss |
Milk 37% |
37 |
F |
sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder (20%), cocoa, vanilla |
not a fine chocolate, sweet, thin, New: Dec 2006 |
$4.65 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
France |
|
Guittard |
Soleil d'Or |
38 |
F |
sugar, full cream milk, cocoa butter, cocoa beans, soy lecithin, vanilla beans |
not a fine chocolate |
|
USA |
|
Feodora |
Grand'Or |
45 |
F |
cocoa mass, sugar, cream powder, cocoa butter, butterfat, soy lecithin, bourbon vanilla beans |
not a fine chocolate, very acrid, strong wood flavor especially in aftertaste, unpleasant, New: Dec 2005 |
$5.25 for 3.5 oz bar / Chocosphere |
Germany |
Whole Foods
Trader Joe's
food co-op near your university (organic chocolate bars)
|
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