Review: Botticelli 70% Cacao

Richard's Rating: 5.0

chocolate maker unknown bar 70% Cacao region unknown plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 85g ~ 3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (cocoa butter) sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, adhered bits, scuffing aroma roast (smoke), sweet (molasses), earth snap hard taste roast (burnt toast), sweet (molasses), nut, bitter, chalky melt smooth length short finish bitter, acidic, somewhat tannin

My friend Phillip gave me this chocolate bar a few months ago. Botticelli is a brand made by Dynamic Chocolates at their facility in Delta, Canada (near Vancouver).

The ingredients of 70% Cacao were listed as unsweetened chocolate, sugar, and soy lecithin. Based on the labelled fat content, the "unsweetened chocolate" included added cocoa butter.

Inside a paper sleeve, the three ounce bar came wrapped in brass foil-sided wax paper. There was no listed production or best before date.

The bar was scored into 12 pieces, each imprinted with parallel lines. Underneath many adhered bits and scuffing, the surface looked smooth. The color of the chocolate was a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015).

Cacao 70% had a hard snap. The aroma contained scents of smoky roast, sweet molasses, and some earthiness.

The chocolate tasted of roast, sweet, and nut flavors. The roast reminded me of burnt toast. The sweetness was molasses. The taste was also bitter and a little chalky.

The melt was smooth. The chocolate flavor lasted about 15 to 20 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a short length. The finish was bitter, acidic, and somewhat tannin.

I didn't find Cacao 70% available for purchase online. However, Phillip told me he paid $2 for this bar, and at that price, it's a bargain for a decent chocolate (as you can see on our Best Chocolate Values page).