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.