Review: Chocolate Santander Colombian 65%

Lindy's Rating: 9.5

Richard's Rating: 9.0

chocolate maker Santander bar Colombian 65% region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees Criollo, Trinitario year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 65% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprints and scoring aroma fruit (raisin, coconut, apricot, peach), earth, sweet (caramel, marshmallow), roast snap medium hard taste roast (smoke), sweet (marshmallow), fruit (coconut, raisin), nut (walnut) melt more smooth length medium finish slightly acidic, slightly tannin

Chocolate Santander makes single origin chocolate bars locally in Colombia using a mix of local Criollo and Trinitario cacao. We reviewed their Colombian 70% bar in April.

Colombian 65% is Santander's only other dark chocolate bar made without inclusions. The 65% cocoa solids included added cocoa butter, and the other ingredients were cane sugar, soy lecithin, and vanilla. The 70 gram bar came wrapped in foil and was scored into 8 pieces, each with an imprint of the Chocolate Santander name. The container was stamped with a best before date of December 2012.

The color of Colombian 65% was lighter than the Colombian 70%: a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The bar had a medium hard snap.

The aroma of this chocolate included several fruits: a dried fruit that most closely resembled raisin, coconut, and Lindy also smelled an orange pit fruit like that of apricot or peach. A sweetness of caramel and marshmallow was also present for me. In addition, we both noticed an earthy scent, as well as some roast.

Colombian 65% had a smoky roast flavor, as well as fruits similar to the aroma: clear coconut, as well as a less distinct pit fruit, and a dried fruit like that of raisin. We tasted the marshmallow sweetness and a nuttiness that Lindy identified as walnut.

The chocolate had a better than average more smooth melt. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was slightly tannin, and I also noticed slight acidity.

We tasted the Colombian 65% at the same sitting as Domori Teyuna, as the two are single origin chocolates made with cacao from Colombia. Both greatly impressed us. I thought Teyuna was better, but Lindy preferred this bar (and put it on her favorites list). Lindy and I found Colombian 65% better than Colombian 70% (though the latter was great, too, and both chocolates are in the top 20 on our Best Chocolates Overall page).

Pralus also makes a single origin Colombian chocolate bar, so I'll buy it at the next opportunity and get a review out soon after we get it. Given this recent great experience with Colombian chocolate, we'll be looking for others to review as well.

You can purchase Santander Colombian 65% online in the U.S. for $2.90 from Chocosphere.

Store: kakáo: website is up and a few changes

kakáo has made a few changes since I first posted about them in April.

• They extended their hours until 6 p.m. on weekdays and are now open on Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
• kakáo also has a website with a little content: http://www.kakaoseattle.com (replacing http://www.kakao.us that had been a placeholder for two years and is no longer in use).
• When I was there yesterday, I noticed they had two new bars: Nocturne from E. Guittard and a dark chocolate with pomegranate bar from Nirvana.

In any case, I've revised the detailed original posting about their store to include this updated information.

Review: Domori Cacao Teyuna Colombia 70%

Lindy's Rating: 9.5

Richard's Rating: 9.5

chocolate maker Domori bar Cacao Teyuna region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 50g ~ 1.8oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (raisin, date, cherry, citrus), earth, wood (cedar), spice (cinnamon), roast snap hard taste fruit (citrus, strawberry, apricot, coconut, dried fruit, melon), sweet (honey) melt creamy length medium finish slightly acidic, slightly tannin

Cacao Teyuna is one of the six chocolate bars in Domori's single origin line. This chocolate was made with cacao from Colombia using only two ingredients: 70% cocoa solids and 30% cane sugar. The 50 gram bar was scored into 4 pieces, each with an imprint of the Domori name. The best before date on the bar we reviewed was 28 February 2012.

The color of Teyuna was a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). Although apparently roughed up a bit before we opened it, the bar was otherwise smooth and had a hard snap.

The chocolate had a terrific fruity aroma that included dried fruits like raisin and date, and tree fruits like red cherry and citrus. We also smelled earth, woody cedar, and a spice we identified as cinnamon. I also noticed some roast.

Teyuna's complex fruity aroma carried through into its taste, though in mostly different flavors of citrus, strawberry, apricot, coconut, dried fruit, and melon. Wow! I tasted sweetness in the form of honey.

The melt of Teyuna was creamy. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 20 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was both slightly acidic and slightly tannin.

Overall, we were both happily surprised with the qualities of Teyuna. It displaced other great chocolates to make it onto both of our favorites lists (Lindy's and Richard's). Domiro Teyuna won one of the Silver awards in the bean to bar category at the 2009 Academy of Chocolate Awards.

You can purchase the 25 gram bar (we reviewed 50 gram bar) of Domori Teyuna online in the U.S. for $3.25 from Chocosphere. In the U.K., you can purchase the 25 gram bar online for £2.45 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Ranking: best chocolate with 100% cocoa solids

In a head to head tasting, Lindy, I, and my friend Michael ranked six chocolates made from 100% cocoa solids.

Lindy's ranking:

1. Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate
2. Bonnat 100% Cacao
3. Pralus Le 100%
4. Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate
5. Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra
6. Coppeneur Hacienda Iara 100%

Richard's ranking:

1. Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate
2. Pralus Le 100%
3. Bonnat 100% Cacao
4. Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate
5. Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra
6. Coppeneur Hacienda Iara 100%

Michael's ranking:

1. Pralus Le 100%
2. Bonnat 100% Cacao
3. Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra
4. Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate
5. Coppeneur Hacienda Iara 100%
6. Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate

Lindy mentioned that she found it difficult ordering Pralus Le 100% and Bonnat 100% Cacao (switching the order would have made our rankings identical). Michael's was different primarily because he disliked the sour and tart flavors of Manjari.

Notes
You can click on the name of the chocolate bar in any of the lists above to see the associated detailed review.
To view updated information and other rankings, go to our Chocolate Rankings page.

Review: Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 6.5

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Cacao Pâte Extra region (unknown) plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1314 Seal Brown texture smooth with text imprint aroma earth (grass, hay), fruit, roast snap (N/A) taste earth, wood, fruit, roast (black tea), chalky melt smooth length medium finish slightly ashy

Cacao Pâte Extra is a professional chocolate that Valrhona sells in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. This is the third Valrhona professional chocolates we purchased from Chocolopolis (who breaks up the bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each).

Using 100% cocoa solids, Valrhona made Cacao Pâte Extra from a blend of cacao beans. The chocolate had a medium brown Seal Brown (PANTONE 19-1314) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

The aroma of earthy, with scents of grass and hay. We also smelled fruit, and I noticed some roast as well.

Cacao Pâte Extra tasted earthy as well, although without the distinct grass and hay from the aroma. Flavors included wood, fruit, and a roast of oversteeped black tea. Lindy also tasted some chalkiness.

The melt was smooth. With the flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, the length was at the long end of medium. The finish was slightly ashy.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Cacao Pâte Extra for $29.15 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $79.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Araguani Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 6.5

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Araguani Pure Pate region Venezuela plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1217 Mustang texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (raisin), earth, roast (cocoa), floral snap (N/A) taste roast (black tea), tannin, fruit (raisin), nut, chalky, ashy melt smooth length medium finish slightly ashy, slightly chalky

Araguani Pure Pate is another of the professional chocolates that Valrhona sells in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. This is the second of the three Valrhona professional chocolates we purchased from Chocolopolis (who breaks up the bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each).

Araguani Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using cacao beans from Venezuela. The chocolate had a medium-dark brown Mustang (PANTONE 19-1217) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

We smelled in the aroma of this chocolate: a dried fruit that we concluded was raisin, some earthiness, and a roast in the form of cocoa. Lindy also detected a floral scent.

Araguani Pure Pate had a roast flavor that Lindy identified as a strong black tea. We also noticed tannin. I tasted the raisin we discovered in the aroma and Lindy found nuttiness. Finally, we both noticed some chalkiness and ashiness in the flavor.

The chocolate had a smooth melt. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste seemed slightly chalky to me and slightly ashy to Lindy.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Araguani jari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate 100% three kilograms (3 kg)

Lindy's Rating: 8.0

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Manjari Pure Pate region Madagascar plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 3000g ~ 105.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat cocoa butter sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprint aroma fruit (citrus, raspberry, melon), earth, roast, hint of floral snap (N/A) taste tart, fruit (citrus, berry), sour, nut, wood, ashy, hint of bitter, hint of acidic melt smooth length medium finish sour, slightly tart, very slightly bitter

In addition to producing bars for retail sale, Valrhona also makes artisan chocolate for professional use that they sell in packages of three one-kilogram bars. Each kilogram bar is scored into five pieces, and each piece has an imprint of the Valrhona name. Chocolopolis breaks up those bars and repackages and sells pieces of approximately 200 grams each. We purchased the three chocolates they had available at the time, including the Manjari Pure Pate reviewed here.

Manjari Pure Pate was made with 100% cocoa solids using Trinitario cacao beans from Madagascar. This single origin chocolate is part of Valrhona's Grand Cru line, but does not contain any of the sugar, soy lecithin, or vanilla extract of the retail Manjari bar made with 64% cocoa solids.

The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. We were unable to test the snap of this bar due to its block form.

The aroma of Manjari Pure Pate was spectacular. Lindy described it as an "amazing 10.0 aroma". The powerful bouquet was full of strong fruit scents, including citrus, raspberry and melon. We also smelled earth, some roast, and a hint of floral. Just... Wow!

This chocolate tasted tart, somewhat sour, and a bit ashy, and had flavors of citrus, roasted nut, and wood. I also tasted berry and noticed a hint of acidity. Lindy found the flavor slightly bitter as well.

The melt was smooth, good, but nowhere near the wonderful melt of the retail Manjari 64%. The flavor lasted 30 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving this chocolate a medium length. We both experienced the finish as sour. For me, the aftertaste was also slightly tart; for Lindy, it was also very slightly bitter.

You can purchase one kilogram repackaged bars of Valrhona Manjari Pure Pate for $32.75 or the full three kilogram original Valrhona package for $89.95 from Chocosphere. Chocolopolis also sells repackaged pieces (of approximately 200 grams each) for $10.00 in their store (but not online).

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Taїnori 64%

Lindy's Rating: 7.5

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Taїnori region Dominican Republic plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 64% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma roast (cocoa), floral, almond snap hard taste sweet, fruit (apricot), roast (cocoa), nut (almond), bread melt more smooth length medium finish slightly sour, slightly acidic

Valrhona made Taїnori as one of its Grand Cru chocolates. Taїnori has 64% cocoa solids from cacao of the Dominican Republic. The ingredients were cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. The Taїnori bar was the thin 70 gram bar with asymmetric score lines that Valrhona currently uses for its Grand Cru line. The scoring results in 25 varied-size pieces. The surface had a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The best before date on the bar we reviewed was October 2011.

The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color and the bar had a hard snap. Taїnori had aromas of roast in the form of cocoa, a floral scent more typical of Ecuador than the Caribbean, and a nutty almond.

The flavor of Taїnori was sweet, and had a roast that tasted like toast to me and like cocoa to Lindy. We also both tasted fruit that we identified primarily as apricot. I experienced an almond flavor similar to that which we smeleed in the aroma. Lindy discovered a bread flavor as well.

As with most of the Grand Cru line, the melt was more smooth. The length was medium, with the flavor lasting 20 to 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was slightly sour. I also tasted a slight acidity.

You can purchase Valrhona Taїnori 64% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere for delivery in the U.S. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Best Chocolates Ranked By Overall Rating

Today, I added a permanent Best Chocolates Overall page that contains a list of chocolates we've rated most highly (with an average overall rating of 7.0 or higher). The name of each chocolate links to our most recent detailed review.

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Caraїbe 66%

Lindy's Rating: 7.0

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Caraїbe region Caribbean plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 66% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 18-1314 Acorn texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma roast (cocoa), earth, spice, hint of vanilla snap hard taste sweet, roast (cocoa), nut (almond), vanilla melt more smooth length medium finish very slightly chalky, very slightly sweet

Caraїbe is another bar in Valrhona's Grand Cru line of chocolates. Using Trinitario cacao beans from the Caribbean, this chocolate was made with 66% cocoa solids from cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. Caraїbe was molded into Valrhona's standard Grand Cru form: a thin 70 gram bar with asymmetric score lines, giving 25 pieces of varied sizes. The surface had a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The best before date on the bar we reviewed was August 2011.

The color of Caraїbe was a medium brown Acorn (PANTONE 18-1314). The bar had a hard snap. Aromas included a cocoa roast, earth, some spice, and a hint of vanilla. The chocolate tasted sweet and the roast reminded Lindy of rich hot chocolate. We also noticed a nutty almond flavor and the vanilla that was hinted in the aroma.

The melt was more smooth. The flavor lasted 20 to 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone, at the short end of a medium length. The finish seemed very slightly chalky to me, and Lindy experienced the final aftertaste as a suggestion of sweetness.

You can purchase Valrhona Caraїbe 66% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere for delivery in the U.S. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Review: Valrhona Grand Cru Abinao 85%

Lindy's Rating: 6.0

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Valrhona bar Abinao region Africa plantation (blend) cacao trees Forastero year (unknown) size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla extract other ingredients (none) list price $6.99

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture matte, smooth flower, asymmetric scoring lines aroma roast, fruit (raisin), earth, sweet (molasses) snap hard taste ashy, fruit (raisin), roast, sour melt more smooth length short finish tannin, slightly bitter

Africa was the source of Forastero cacao beans for Abinao 85%, one of Valrhona's Grand Cru line of chocolates. Valrhona made this chocolate from cocoa beans, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla extract. Cocoa solids (both beans and cocoa butter) totaled 85%. The thin 70 gram bar was formed as normal for their Grand Cru bars: a matte texture with smooth imprints of a flower and the Valrhona name. The score lines were asymmetric, giving 25 pieces of varied sizes. The particular bar we reviewed had a best before date of December 2011.

Abinao had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color and the bar had a hard snap. The chocolate revealed aromas of roast, raisin, earth, and a sweetness Lindy recognized as molasses.

The taste started with an initial ashiness that quickly faded behind a strong raisin flavor. Roast was obviously present, and we tasted some sourness. There seemed to be hints of other fruit, too, but we couldn't identify them.

The melt was smoother than typical after a somewhat slow start. We rated it more smooth. The length was short, with only about 10 seconds of chocolate flavor after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was tannin, with a slight bitterness.

For delivery in the U.S., you can purchase Valrhona Abinao 85% online for $6.99 directly from Valrhona or for $5.65 from Chocosphere. For delivery in the U.K. (and Europe), you can purchase it online for £3.55 from Chocolate Trading Co.

Best Chocolate Values page updated

Our Best Chocolate Values page has been updated with the new overall rating scale. On this page, all reviewed chocolates are listed with our overall ratings independent of price, but we list them in order of price per mass. Whenever available, the chocolate maker's listed retail price is used for this calculation (otherwise, we use a reference price for purchasing online).

I'll begin posting reviews from our backlog starting tomorrow.