Sale: 20% off Fresco

Through December 10th, Fresco is having a 20% off sale sitewide if you purchase at least $50.

Enter SANTA in the "Discount" field during checkout and click the Apply button to receive the 20% discount.

Free shipping for orders of at least $50 for delivery to the United States. International shipping is available.

Sale: 25% off Raaka

Raaka is running a 25% off sitewide Cyber Monday sale today.

Enter CHOCO25 in the "Discount" field during checkout and click the Apply button to receive the 25% discount.

A fantastic deal is to choose a mixed case of a dozen bars of your choice (to receive 25% case discount) and then apply CHOCO25 for additional 25% discount. You get 12 bars for only $52.46!

Free shipping for delivery to the United States with orders over $50 ($5.80 otherwise). International shipping is $20.

Sale: 20% off Taza

Taza is running their annual Cyber Monday sale with 20% off everything in their online store today and tomorrow.

Enter CYBER20 in the "Gift card or discount code" field during checkout and click the Apply button to apply the 20% discount.

Now is the time to take advantage of Taza's best deal of the year. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, November 30th.

Unfortunately, Taza no longer ships outside the United States. Additional shipping information can be found here.

Review: Ethereal Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Ethereal bar Madagascar region Madagascar plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 64g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 80% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $7.50

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits, bubbles aroma earth (hay), roast (smoke), fruit (raisin, coconut), spice snap medium hard taste fruit (citrus, plum, lime, blueberry), earth, roast (cocoa, smoke), sweet, tannin melt less smooth length short finish somewhat acidic, somewhat tannin

Mary and Sara Ervin have been crafting hand-made organic chocolate confections and bean to bar chocolate in Woodstock, Illinois, as Ethereal Confections since 2011.

Ethereal's Madagascar chocolate bar was made from all organic ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar, and cocoa butter. Cocoa solids (cacao beans and cocoa butter) made up 80%, with the remaining 20% being cane sugar.

Inside a thick paper wrap that was sealed with the label, the 2.25 ounce bar came wrapped in pink colored foil . The label also adhered to the foil wrapping along the bottom edge, which made removing the chocolate without breaking the bar a bit challenging. The best before date was September 28, 2017.

The bar was scored into 24 pieces. The chocolate had a smooth surface, with an uneven sheen, some adhered bits, and a few bubbles. The underside was shaped with a thin protruding edge. The chocolate had a medium brown Fudgesickle (PANTONE 19-1431) color.

Madagascar had a medium hard snap. The aroma revealed scents of earth, and hay in particular, a smoky roast, fruit, and spice. The fruit scent included raisin and coconut.

The chocolate tasted primarily of fruit, with flavors of citrus, plum, lime and blueberry. In addition, I tasted earth, a cocoa and smoky roast, and sweetness. Some tannin was also present.

The melt had a less smooth texture, but no graininess. The chocolate flavor lasted about 15 to 20 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a short length. The finish was somewhat acidic and somewhat tannin.

Overall, a good chocolate with delicious fruit flavors. For me, the texture needs improvement, but if you enjoy Madagascar interpretations with this flavor profile, give this chocolate a try.

Best Prices Online
$7.50 directly from Ethereal
$7.50 from Chocolate.org
$7.50 from Chocosphere

Review: Dandelion Butuo, Liberia

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Dandelion bar Butuo, Liberia region Liberia plantation blend cacao trees unknown year 2014 size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $10.00

color medium-dark brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints aroma earth, roast, spice snap hard taste earth, roast (smoke, cocoa), fruit (fig), spice (cinnamon), sweet (caramel), bitter melt smooth length short finish bitter, somewhat acidic, slightly ashy

Best Prices Online
$10.00 directly from Dandelion (sold out)
$13.00 from The Meadow

Review: Bar au Chocolat Sambirano Valley, Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Sambirano Valley, Madagascar region Madagascar plantation blend cacao trees Trinitario year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, scuffing, adhered bits aroma roast (cocoa), fruit (citrus, cherry), earth (grass) snap medium hard taste fruit (citrus, grapefruit, cherry), earth (burlap), sweet (caramel), roast (cocoa), sour melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

Review: Ritual Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Ritual bar Madagascar region Madagascar plantation Somia cacao trees unknown year unknown size 43g ~ 1.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $6.75

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, somewhat glossy aroma fruit (citrus, berry), earth snap hard taste earth, fruit (citrus, grapefruit), nut (walnut), roast (tea), sweet (brown sugar), acidic melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, slightly tannin

Best Prices Online
$6.49 from Caputo's
$6.75 directly from Ritual
$7.00 from Chocolopolis
$7.00 from The Meadow

Review: Bar au Chocolat Duarte Province, Dominican Republic

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Duarte Province, Dominican Republic region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees Trinitario year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits, bubbles aroma roast (cocoa), fruit (berry, prune, orange), spice, earth (hay) snap medium hard taste earth, roast (tea), fruit (blackberry, orange, prune, date), sweet, tannin, acidic, sour melt smooth length medium finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

International Chocolate Awards 2015

Today the International Chocolate Awards announced the 2015 world winners.

WORLD WINNERS

Best In Competition
Rogue Porcelana

Dark
GOLD: Rogue Porcelana
GOLD: SOMA Porcelana
SILVER: Bonnat Vale do Juliana
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) Chuno 70% Double Turned
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) Chuno 70% Triple Turned
SILVER: Marou Tien Giang 70%
SILVER: Pacari Lacumbia 70%
SILVER: Pacari Montubia 70%
SILVER: Pacari Raw 70%
SILVER: SOMA CSB Chama
BRONZE: Amano Chuao
BRONZE: Bonnat Haiti
BRONZE: Dick Taylor Madagascar Sambirano

High Percentage
GOLD: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) La Dalia 85%
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) La Dalia 100%

Micro-batch Dark
GOLD: Cacao Hunters Arhuaco 72%
SILVER: Cacao Hunters Arauca 70%
SILVER: Duffy's Honduras Indio Rojo
SILVER: Hummingbird Hispaniola 70%
SILVER: Omnom Madgascar 66%
SILVER: Pump Street Bakery Grenada 70%
BRONZE: Pump Street Bakery Madagascar Criollo 74%

Alternative Sweetener Dark
BRONZE: Starchild Wild & Raw

Americas Finalists

Dark
Amano Chuao
Amano Dos Rios 70%
Amano Porcelana 70%
AMAZ Amazonas 67%
Cacaosuyo Piura Select
ChocXO Camino Verde Ecuador 72%
ChocXO Tres Rios Peru 68%
ChocXO Yaguachi 70%
Dick Taylor Dominican Finca Elvesia
Dick Taylor Madagascar Sambirano
Franceschi Canoabo 70% 2015
Franceschi Choroni 70% 2015
Franceschi Ocumare 70% 2015
Franceschi Rio Caribe 60% 2015
Franceschi Sur del Lago 60% 2015
Marou Lam Dong 74%
Marou Tien Giang 70%
Marou Treasure Island 75%
Pacari Esmeraldas 60%
Pacari Lacumbia 70%
Pacari Manabi 65%
Pacari Montubia 70%
Pacari Raw 70%
Pacari Tangara 70%
Ritual Mid Mountain Blend
Rogue Jamaica
Rogue Porcelana
Rogue Tranquilidad
SOMA Porcelana
SOMA CSB Chama
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 70% Single Estate
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 75% Single Estate
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 80% Single Estate
TCHO Bright

High Percentage
Marou Tan Phu Dong 85% (Heart of Darkness)
Palette de Bine Camino Verde Ecuador 85%
Ritual Ecuador 85%

Micro-batch Dark
Brasstown Ecuador 75%
Cacao Hunters Arauca 70%
Cacao Hunters Arhuaco 72%
Cacao Hunters Sierra Nevada 64%
Cacao Hunters Tumaco 70%
Dandelion Oko-Caribe, Dominican Republic
Fresco 224 Dominican Republic 72%
Hummingbird Hispaniola 70%
Hummingbird Reserva Zorzal 70%
Madre Likao Kula Farm, Kona HI
Millcreek Cacao Roasters 70% Pure Dark
Palette de Bine Lam Dong Vietnam 72%
Sirene Guatemala 73%

Rough/Textured Dark
Cacaosuyo Batanero

Alternative Sweetener Dark
Palette de Bine ”Bines à l’érable” San Juan Estate Trinidad 70%
Starchild Wild & Raw

European Finalists

Dark
Åkesson’s 75% Criollo Madagascar Ambolikapiky 75%
Bodrato Ecuador 75%
Bonnat Cacao Real del Xoconuzco
Bonnat Cuba
Bonnat Dark Organic
Bonnat Haiti
Bonnat Maragnan
Bonnat Vale do Juliana
Friis-Holm Barba 70%
Friis-Holm Chuno 70% Double Turned
Friis-Holm Chuno 70% Triple Turned
Friis-Holm Johe 70%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 60%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 70%
Friis-Holm Medagla 70%
Friis-Holm Nicaliso 70%
Friis-Holm Rugoso 70%
Morin Nicaragua Chuno 70%

High Percentage
Åkesson’s 100% Criollo Madagascar Ambolikapiky
Friis-Holm La Dalia 85%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 100%
Hotel Chocolat Honduras, Mayan Red 100%
Naive Madagascar Extra Dark
Rózsavölgyi Trincheras 95
Timo A. Meyer 95% Venezuela

Micro-batch Dark
Ara Chocolat Porcelana 70%
Chocolate Tree Peru Marañón 69%
Duffy’s Honduras Indio Rojo
Duffy’s Nicaragua Chuno
Duffy’s Nicaragua Nicaliso
Guido Castagna Raw Venezuela
Guido Castagna Raw Madagascar
Omnom Madagascar 66%
Pump Street Bakery Grenada 70%
Pump Street Bakery Madagascar Criollo 74%
Rózsavölgyi Porcelana

Rough/Textured Dark
Donna Elvira Modicana 70% Madagascar
Donna Elvira Modicana 70% Peru Piura

Review: Bar au Chocolat Chiapas Mexico

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Chiapas, Mexico region Mexico plantation blend cacao trees Criollo year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium-light brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles, adhered bits aroma roast (coffee, cocoa), earth, spice snap medium hard taste roast (cocoa, coffee), earth, fruit (berry, citrus), nut, spice, acidic, sour melt smooth length long finish acidic, tannin

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

Ranking: best Mexico single origin chocolate

Here are my personal ranking results from two rounds of tasting four single origin bars made from Mexico cacao. You can see all of our current ranking results on the Chocolate Rankings page.

All four of these chocolates were very good. Note that the qualities of each chocolate differ, and you may prefer the flavor, aroma, or texture of a lower ranked chocolate to that of one ranked higher. Click on a name to see a detailed review of that chocolate bar.

Cacao Sampaka La Joya Michel Cluizel Mokaya Cacao Sampaka Xoconusco Bar au Chocolat Chiapas, Mexico

Review: Michel Cluizel Mokaya

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker Michel Cluizel bar Mokaya region Mexico plantation Mokaya cacao trees unknown year unknown size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 66% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring bourbon vanilla other ingredients (none) list price €4,15

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, uneven sheen, scuffing aroma roast (cocoa, malt, coffee, tobacco), fruit (berry), earth (grass), spice snap hard taste roast (cocoa, malt), fruit (blackberry, nectarine, citrus), spice (vanilla, pepper), earth, sweet (honey), acidic melt more smooth length long finish acidic, slightly tannin, slightly sour

Best Prices Online
€4,15 directly from Michel Cluizel
$6.70 at Chocosphere
$6.99 at Caputo's
$6.99 at World Wide Chocolate
£3.95 at Chocolate Trading Co

Review: Amano Dos Rios

Richard's Rating: 9.0

chocolate maker Amano bar Dos Rios region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $6.95

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate appearance smooth, imprints, scoring, scuffing, uneven sheen aroma fruit (bergamot, orange), earl grey, floral (jasmine), roast, dairy snap hard taste earl grey, fruit (tangerine, orange), floral (jasmine), tannin, spice, sweet, nut, roast melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Prior Reviews
2012 Review

Best Prices Online
$4.95 on sale directly from Amano
$6.99 at Caputo's
$6.99 at Chocolopolis

Northwest Chocolate Festival Awards

The awards were announced tonight for the 2015 Northwest Chocolate Festival. There were three judged categories (Single Origin, Milk Chocolate and Inclusions) and three non-judged awards.

In the judged Single Origin category, the winners were:

• 1st: Fruition Hispaniola 68% (Dominican Republic)
• 2nd: Dick Taylor Bolivia Alto Beni 70%
• 3rd: Amano Guayas 70% (Ecuador)

In the judged Milk Chocolate category, the winner was:

• Sirene Guatemala

In the judged Inclusions (flavored chocolate) category, the winners were:

• 1st: Fruition Bourbon Aged Dark Milk 61%
• 2nd: Amano Red Raspberry
• 3rd: Fruition Brown Butter Milk 43%

They also gave out non-judged awards:

• Lifetime Achievement: Bill Fredericks, the Chocolate Man
• Mott Green Sustainability: Emily Stone of Maya Mountain Cacao, Cacao Verapaz, and Uncommon Cocoa Group
• Founder's Choice: Dick Taylor Bolivia Alto Beni 70%

You can still buy tickets for this weekend online ($30 for full day) or at the door ($20 for afternoon starting at 12:30 p.m.) at Pier 66 (the Bell Harbor Center) in Seattle.

Event: Seattle Craft Chocolate Week

Craft Chocolate Week is a new series of events coordinated around the huge presence of artisan chocolate makers in Seattle during the Northwest Chocolate Festival. There are five limited attendance events to provide a more intimate and interactive experience than the crowded activities of a typical chocolate festival. Barbie Van Horn of Finding Fine Chocolate has generously given us four promo codes to share with you for discounts at these events.

• Tue, Sep. 29: Wine and Chocolate Pairing with Adam Dick and Dustin Taylor at Chocolat Vitale. Taste a flight of three French wines from H Wines paired with three bean to bar chocolates. Talk with Adam Dick and Dustin Taylor of Dick Taylor Chocolate. $20 after $10 off promo code vitale.
• Wed, Sep. 30: New Cacao Origin with David Menkes and Tesla Test Rides at Seattle Tesla. Taste a new origin of cacao and converse with David Menkes of LetterPress. Meet the farm manager who grows this rare cacao. Take a test ride in a Tesla. $25 after $15 off promo code tesla.
• Mon, Oct 5: Craft Beer and Chocolate Pairing with Clay Gordon at Kakao. Learn how to pair beer and chocolate using the concept of simultaneous contrast with Clay Gordon of The Chocolate Life. $25 after $25 off promo code kakao.
• Fri, Oct 9: Coffee and Chocolate Pairing with Aaron Barthel of Intrigue Chocolate. Taste pairings of chocolate and coffee, and enjoy Aaron Barthel's French style truffles. $25 after $5 off promo code intrigue.
• Sat, Oct 10: Understanding Craft Chocolate with Rob Anderson at Chocolat Vitale. Experience chocolate at different stages of production to learn about the steps of chocolate-making with Rob Anderson of Fresco. Taste how origin, roasting, and recipes affect the flavors of chocolate. $25.

You can purchase tickets for each of these events on the Craft Chocolate Week website until they are sold out.

Review: Lake Champlain Blue Bandana Guatemala 70%

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Lake Champlain bar Blue Bandana 70% Guatemala region Guatemala plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $8.00

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, uneven sheen, tiny bubbles aroma roast (smoke), earth (must, grass), dairy, fruit snap medium hard taste roast (coffee), fruit (raisin, citrus), earth, acidic, sweet (molasses), tannin melt smooth length medium finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Best Prices Online
$8.00 directly from Lake Champlain
$9.00 from Chocolopolis

Review: Ritual Belize

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Ritual bar Belize region Belize plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 43g ~ 1.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $6.75

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen aroma roast (tobacco, cocoa), fruit (prune), earth snap medium hard taste roast (tobacco), fruit (prune, cherry), sweet (honey), earth, acidic melt more smooth length medium finish acidic, somewhat tannin, slightly bitter, slightly sour

Best Prices Online
$6.49 from Caputo's
$6.75 directly from Ritual
$7.00 from Chocolopolis
$7.00 from The Meadow

Review: Tejas Valero

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Tejas bar Valero region Belize plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $7.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles aroma roast (cocoa), spice, earth snap hard taste fruit (apricot, cherry), spice (pepper), sweet (honey), earth, roast, acidic, tannin melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Best Prices Online
$7.00 directly from Tejas

Review: Dandelion Maya Mountain, Belize

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Dandelion bar Maya Mountain region Belize plantation blend cacao trees unknown year 2014 size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $8.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, imprints, scoring, scuffing aroma earth (must), floral, roast (cocoa), sweet (honey), nut snap hard taste earth (straw), fruit (pineapple), sweet (honey), spice (cinnamon), roast (cocoa), acidic melt smooth length long finish somewhat acidic

Best Prices Online
$8.00 directly from Dandelion (sold out)
$9.00 from The Meadow

Zotter Labooko Belize Special 72%

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Zotter bar Labooko Belize Special region Belize plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 72% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients salt list price €3,50

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, textured, imprints, adhered bits aroma spice (fennel), earth, roast (malt) snap hard taste licorice, roast (cocoa), earth, spice (pepper, fennel), fruit (cherry) melt more smooth length medium finish slightly bitter

Best Prices Online
€3,50 directly from Zotter
$5.95 from Zotter USA
$7.49 from NewLeaf

SOMA Black Science Bachelor's Hall Jamaica

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker SOMA bar Black Science Bachelor's Hall region Jamaica plantation Bachelor's Hall cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 25g ~ 0.9oz cocoa solids 70% added fat unknown sweetener unknown emulsifier unknown flavoring unknown other ingredients unknown list price N/A

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate appearance scoring, imprints, smooth, adhered bits, bubbles aroma earth, nut sweet, fruit snap medium hard taste sweet (honey), fruit (raspberry), nut, earth, dairy (butter) melt smooth length long finish somewhat tannin, somewhat acidic

Review: Rogue Jamaica

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Rogue bar Jamaica region Jamaica plantation Bachelor's Hall cacao trees (unknown) year 2014 size 60g ~ 2.1oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $16.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate appearance glossy, smooth, uneven sheen aroma earth (grass), spice, roast (tobacco, cocoa, smoke) snap hard taste roast (tobacco, cocoa), fruit (tropical), spice, woody, nut, sweet melt creamy length long finish tannin, slightly sour

Best Prices Online
$16.00 directly from Rogue

Review: Ritual Balao

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Ritual bar Balao region Ecuador plantation Camino Verde cacao trees unknown year unknown size 43g ~ 1.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $6.75

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen aroma earth (burlap), floral, spice snap medium hard taste roast (tea, cocoa), earth (burlap), fruit (blackberry), tannin melt more smooth length medium finish tannin, slightly acidic

Best Prices Online
$6.49 from Caputo's
$6.75 directly from Ritual
$7.00 from Chocolopolis
$7.00 from The Meadow

Review: Fresco 231 Peru 100%

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Fresco bar 231 region Marañón Peru plantation blend cacao trees unknown year 2014 size 50g ~ 1.8oz cocoa solids 100% added fat (none) sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints aroma roast, earth, fruit (prune), nut, floral snap medium hard taste earth, nut, floral, sour, roast melt creamy length long finish somewhat sour, somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Fresco

Review: Domori Il 100% Criollo

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker Domori bar Il 100% Criollo region (unknown) plantation blend cacao trees Criollo year unknown size 25g ~ 0.9oz cocoa solids 100% added fat (none) sweetener (none) emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price €4,00

color medium brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, scuffing, uneven sheen aroma roast (cocoa, coffee), fruit (berry, raisin), spice, earth, sweet snap medium hard taste roast (coffee, tobacco), nut, peanut, fruit, earth, tannin melt creamy length long finish tannin, nut, slightly acidic

Prior Reviews
2013 Review

Best Prices Online
€4,00 directly from Domori
£4.10 at Chocolate Trading Co
$6.79 at Chocosphere

Review: Rogue Porcelana

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Rogue bar Porcelana region Venezuela plantation El Chama cacao trees Criollo year 2014 size 60g ~ 2.1oz cocoa solids 80% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $18.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1526 Dark Red Brown appearance glossy, smooth, uneven sheen aroma spice, fruit (nectarine), roast (cocoa), earth (must), dairy snap hard taste earth (must, grass), fruit (peach, cherry), dairy (cream), nut (macadamia), roast (cocoa, malt) melt creamy length long finish somewhat acidic, slightly tannin

Best Prices Online
$18.00 directly from Rogue (sold out)
$20.00 at The Meadow
$20.00 at Cocova

Review: Domori Porcelana

Richard's Rating: 8.5

chocolate maker Domori bar Porcelana region Venezuela plantation blend cacao trees Criollo year unknown size 25g ~ 0.9oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price €4,00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, scuffing, adhered bits aroma fruit (strawberry), roast (cocoa), floral, spice, dairy, earth, sweet snap hard taste roast (cocoa, toast), fruit (strawberry, orange), dairy (butter) melt more smooth, fudgy length long finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Prior Reviews
2010 Review

Best Prices Online
€4,00 directly from Domori
$5.45 at Chocosphere
$5.50 at Caputo's
£3.95 at Chocolate Trading Co

Review: Amedei Porcelana

Richard's Rating: 9.0

chocolate maker Amedei bar Porcelana region Venezuela plantation blend cacao trees Criollo year unknown size 50g ~ 1.8oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price €14,70

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, adhered bits, scuffing aroma earth (must), floral, fruit (strawberry, raisin), roast (malt), dairy snap medium hard taste nut (almond), earth, spice, roast (cocoa, malt), fruit (strawberry, citrus, raisin), sweet (butterscotch), slightly ashy melt smooth length long finish somewhat acidic, somewhat tannin

Prior Reviews
2011 Review
2010 Review

Best Prices Online
$16.50 at World Wide Chocolate
$18.50 at Amedei Store (NYC)
$18.50 at Caputo's
$18.50 at Chocosphere
£8.00 at Chocolate Ocean
€11,25 to €11,99 on Amazon.de
€14,70 at Amedei

Review: Taza Wicked Dark

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Taza bar Wicked Dark region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 85g ~ 3.0oz cocoa solids 95% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $6.50

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, text imprints, adhered bits aroma earth (burlap), roast (smoke, malt), fruit (berry) snap medium hard taste earth, nut, roast (smoke, cocoa, malt), fruit (blackberry, prune), acidic, bitter, sour melt grainy length medium finish acidic, slightly sour

You can purchase a slightly smaller version (71 grams or 2.5 ounces) of Wicked Dark online directly from Taza for $5.00, from Chocosphere for $4.95, and from NewLeaf for $5.00.

Review: Hägeland Costa Rica

Richard's Rating: 5.5

chocolate maker Hägeland bar Costa Rica region Costa Rica plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 71% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color medium-dark brown appearance smooth, scoring aroma roast (smoke), earth, spice snap hard taste roast (smoke, cocoa), earth, wood, sweet (caramel), hint of fruit, bitter melt more smooth length long finish tannin, slightly acidic

Academy of Chocolate 2015 Awards

The London Academy of Chocolate released their ridiculously large number of award winners for 2015.

They had two bean to bar dark chocolate categories: under 80% and at least 80%.

GOLD under 80%
Åkesson's Madagascar 75% Criollo
Amano Ocumare 70%
Bar au Chocolat Dominican Republic 70%

SILVER under 80%
Åkesson's Bali 75% Trinitario
Bar au Chocolat Madagascar 70%
Castronovo Colombia Sierra Nevada 72%
Chocolat Madagascar Fine Dark 65%
Chocolat Madagascar Organic Fine Dark 70%
Dick Taylor Madagascar Sambirano
Green & Black's THIN Dark 70%
Hotel Chocolat 70% Saint Lucia Rabot Estate Bord du Lac
Pump Street Bakery Grenada 70% Crayfish Bay Estate
Pump Street Bakery Madagascar Criollo 74% Åkesson's Estate
Red Star Duffy’s Honduras Indio Rojo 72%
SPAGnVOLA Nigeria 70% Oda Cocoa Estate
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 70% Single Estate

BRONZE under 80%
Amano Chuao 70%
Amano Cuyagua 70%
Amano Madagascar 70%
Amano Morobe 70%
Amazona 74% El Shunté (Tiesto)
Amazona 72% Valle del Chanka (Lamas)
AQUIM Q 65%
Chocolate Tree Madagascar Sambirano 72%
Chocolate Tree Peru Marañon 69%
ChocXO Camino Verde Ecuador 72%
ChocXO Guantupi Ecuador 75%
ChocXO Tres Rios Peru 68%
Damson Ecuador 70% Los Rios
Damson Madagascar 70% Åkesson Estate
Dick Taylor Belize Toledo
Dick Taylor Ecuador Camino Verde
Doble & Bignall Raven Johe 72%
Domori Ocumare 77 Criollo 70%
Du Jour Pure 70%
Hotel Chocolat 70% Honduras Mayan Red
Idilio Origins No. 3 Selección Cata Ocumare
Idilio Origins No. 4 Carenero Urrutia Superior
NAÏVE Nicaragua Nicalizo 72%
Omnom Madagascar 66%
Original Beans Papua Kerafat
Original Beans Piura Porcelana
Pacari Esmeraldas 60%
Red Star Duffy’s Nicaragua Chuno 70%
Ritual Mid Mountain Blend
Rococo Organic Dark 65% Artisan Bar
Rozsavolgyi Madagascar Criollo 71% Åkesson Estate
Rozsavolgyi Puerto Cabello 74%
Rozsavolgyi Porcelana 71%
Tobago Cocoa Estate

GOLD at least 80%
Åkesson's Madagascar 100% Criollo

SILVER at least 80%
Papa 80% Peru
Pump Street Bakery Honduras Finca Tres Marias 80%
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 80% Single Estate

BRONZE at least 80%
Bar au Chocolat Trinidad 80%
Baravelli's Madagascan Sambirano 82%
Chocolat Madagascar Fine Dark 85%
Michel Cluizel Noir Infini 99%
Domori Criollo 100% Hacienda San Jose
Hazel Mountain 87% Venezuela Bean Sur del Lago
Szanto Tibor Baracoa Cuba 88% Ocenta y Ocho

Here's a link to the full lists of 2015 Award Winners in all of the categories.