Review: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's 85%

Richard's Rating: 5.5

chocolate maker (unknown) bar Dark Chocolate Lover's region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $1.49

color dark brown PANTONE 19-1314 Seal Brown texture smooth, scoring, image imprints, adhered bits aroma vanilla, marshmallow, sweet (butterscotch), roast, spice snap hard taste roast, chalk, marshmallow, fruit melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat sour, slightly acidic, slightly bitter

We first reviewed this chocolate in October 2010 and didn't like it at all. Based on feedback from our readers over just the past couple of months, though, we needed to try this chocolate again. I'm glad we did.

Trader Joe's sells several chocolate bars under its own label. Unfortunately, we do not know who actually makes the Dark Chocolate Lover's bar. The cacao for this chocolate came from the Tumaco region of Colombia.

The ingredients of Dark Chocolate Lover's were cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla flavor. Cocoa solids (cocoa mass and cocoa butter) made up 85% of the chocolate. Inside a paper box were two 50 gram bars, each individually sealed inside a plastic wrapper with an image similar to that of the outer box. Each bar was scored into 16 pieces, half of them with a flower imprint. The best before date of the chocolate was 18 October 2013.

The color of the chocolate was a dark brown Seal Brown (PANTONE 19-1314). The surface was smooth with a glossy top. There were some bits of chocolate adhered to the top, mostly near the edges. The bar had a hard snap.

Dark Chocolate Lover's had a pleasant aroma of vanilla, marshmallow, and a butterscotch sweetness. There were also scents of roast and spice.

The chocolate tasted of roast, marshmallow, and fruit flavors, along with some underlying chalkiness. The taste was also slightly acidic.

The melt was more smooth. The chocolate flavor lasted about 20 to 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a medium length. The finish was somewhat sour, slightly acidic, and slightly bitter.

Both the aroma and taste were much better than the bar we reviewed in 2010 (perhaps it was from a bad batch, or it is greatly improved). Although the taste still did not impress me, you should try Dark Chocolate Lover's. If you like this chocolate, it's an amazing value at literally the lowest list price per ounce of any 100 gram or smaller bar we've reviewed.

You can purchase Dark Chocolate Lover's for $1.49 at most Trader Joe's stores.

Review: Dandelion Colombia

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Dandelion bar Colombia region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees (unknown) year 2011 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-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth, scoring, imprints, adhered bits aroma dried fruit (apricot), roast (cocoa), earth snap medium hard taste sweet, roast (cocoa, coffee), fruit, spice, acidic, nut melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, slightly sour

As you can see from the label above, I was fortunate enough to get a bar from the first batch that Dandelion released made with single origin cacao beans from the 2011 harvest in the Santander region of Colombia. The back sticker was initialed by Cameron Ring for the batch and Chiann Tsui for the packaging.

As with all chocolate made by this San Francisco chocolate maker, Colombia was made with 70% cacao beans and 30% cane sugar, and nothing else. The two ounce bar was scored into 18 pieces, each with five parallel squiggles. It came wrapped in heavy gold-sided foil inside patterned outer craft paper sealed closed with the back sticker. There was no production date or best before date, but the bar was made in 2011.

The chocolate had a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. In spite of the bar arriving broken (along the 2nd from the left vertical scoring line), the surface was smooth and was not noticeably scuffed. There were some chocolate bits adhered to it and a few minuscule bubbles, but overall the bar looked great. The snap was medium hard.

Colombia gave off an aroma of fruit, roast, and earth. The fruit smelled of apricot and a melange of other dried fruit. The roast had a cocoa scent.

The taste was sweet, with a cocoa and coffee roast. Other flavors included fruit, spice, and nut. The taste of this chocolate was noticeably acidic.

The melt was more smooth. The chocolate flavor lasted between 20 and 25 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving it a medium length. The finish remained somewhat acidic, with a slight sourness.

Overall, while not as remarkable as its Upala Costa Rica or Sambirano Madagascar bars, Colombia was another good chocolate from Dandelion.

You can purchase Colombia online directly from Dandelion for $8.00, or if you would like to combine the purchase with other brands, from Chocolopolis for $8.99.

Ranking: best Colombia single origin chocolate

In a head to head comparison, I retasted the five single origin chocolate bars made from Colombia cacao that were on our Best Chocolates Overall list (i.e., those with average ratings of 7.0 or higher).

Although I personally preferred the flavor of Santander Colombian 70% to that of Santander Colombian 65%, I felt the latter had a slightly more interesting taste and less tannin in the finish, so I ranked it higher. Similarly, Guittard Chucuri was too sweet for me and I personally would buy Pralus Colombie before it, but I found Chucuri's aroma and flavor to be a bit more complex than that of Colombie. In any case, my final ranking was:

Domori Teyuna Santander Colombian 65% Santander Colombian 70% E. Guittard Chucuri Francois Pralus Colombie

Notes
Clicking on a name above will take you to the detailed review of that chocolate bar.
To see updated information and other rankings, go to our Chocolate Rankings page.

Review: E. Guittard Chucuri

Lindy's Rating: 7.0

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Guittard bar Chucuri region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 57g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 65% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $3.89

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate texture smooth with signature imprints and scoring aroma sweet, roast (smoke), floral, hint of vanilla snap hard taste sweet (butterscotch), floral (rose), herbal (mint), tannin, fruit (melon), hint of nut melt smooth length medium finish tannin

E. Guittard made single origin Chucuri with Trinitario cacaco beans from the San Vicente de Chucuri Valley in Santander, Colombia. This chocolate had 65% cocoa solids (including added cocoa butter) and additional ingredients of cane sugar, soy lecithin, and vanilla beans.

This two ounce bar was scored into 12 pieces, each with the E. Guittard signature imprint. The chocolate came wrapped in brassy-colored foil inside a paper cover. The best before date on the wrapper of the bar we reviewed was April 2012.

Chucuri had a medium brown Bitter Chocolate (PANTONE 19-1317) color. The surface was smooth, with a few tiny bubbles. The bar had a hard snap. The aroma of this chocolate was sweet, with a smoky roast and obvious floral scents. I also smelled a hint of vanilla.

The taste of Chucuri first gave us a butterscotch sweetness. We tasted an unusual rose floral flavor, along with a herbal mint. Lindy also noticed tannin, and I experienced a melon flavor and a slight nuttiness.

The melt was smooth. The flavor lasted 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving it a medium length. Lindy tasted a flash of bitterness before the finish. The final aftertaste for both of us was tannin.

Overall, while not as wonderful as the magnificent Colombia bars of Santander or Domori Teyuna, Chucuri is a good single origin chocolate from that area and better than Pralus Colombie.

You can purchase Guittard Chucuri online for $3.89 directly from Guittard or for $3.35 from Chocosphere.

Review: Francois Pralus Colombie

Lindy's Rating: 7.0

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Francois Pralus bar Colombie region Colombia plantation (blend) cacao trees Trinitario year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price €4,00

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture scuffed, uneven sheen, text imprint and scoring aroma roast (cocoa), sweet(butterscotch) snap hard taste roast (cocoa, coffee), sweet (butterscotch), nut, earth melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin

Colombie is just one of the many single origin chocolate bars made by French chocolate maker Francois Pralus. Using Trinitario cacao beans from Colombia, Colombie has 75% cocoa solids (including added cocoa butter), along with sugar and soy lecithin. The thick 100 gram bar was formed in the standard Pralus manner: imprinted with a cursive Pralus in the bottom right quadrant with the rest scored into 24 pieces. Inside the paper cover, the bar was wrapped in gold foil. The best before date of the bar we reviewed was 22 March 2013.

As you can see in the photo above, the surface of the bar was noticeably scuffed and had an uneven sheen. The chocolate had a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. The bar had a hard snap.

The aroma of Colombie was a cocoa roast combined with some sweetness that smelled like butterscotch to me.

The chocolate tasted similarly, with flavors of roast, which included coffee as well as cocoa, and a sweetness that tasted to me like butterscotch. We also both experienced a nutty flavor. I noticed an earthiness as well.

The melt was smooth. The flavor lasted 20 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving the chocolate a medium length. The final aftertaste was somewhat tannin and perhaps very slightly astringent.

Overall, we found Colombie to be rather mild, both in aroma and flavor, and while a good chocolate, it couldn't compare to the two best single origin chocolates we have reviewed from Colombia: Domori Teyuna and Santander Colombian 65%.

You can purchase Francois Pralus Colombie online for €4,00 directly from Pralus for delivery in Europe. In the U.S., you can purchase it online for $7.99 from Chocolopolis.

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.

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.

Review: Chocolate Santander Colombian 70%

Lindy's Rating: 9.0 (previously ***)

Richard's Rating: 8.5 (previously ***)

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

color dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken texture smooth with text imprints and scoring aroma coconut, roast (smoke), sweet (caramel), marshmallow, hint of spice snap medium hard taste roast (coffee, tea), fruit (citrus), sweet, nutty melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, tannin

In a fashion similar to that of the Grenada Chocolate Company crafting chocolate locally in Grenada, Chocolate Santander makes single-origin chocolate bars locally in Colombia, producing them from beans cultivated on farms in the state of Santander. Although not organic, the chocolate is made from 70% cocoa solids, along with added cocoa butter, cane sugar, soy lecithin, and vanilla.

The 70 gram Santander Colombian 70% we reviewed came wrapped in foil and was scored into 8 pieces, each with an imprint of "Chocolate Santander" in cursive. It had a best before date of May 2012.

The color of the chocolate was a dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). It had a medium hard snap. The chocolate had a great aroma, with coconut, a somewhat smoky roast, a sweetness that smelled of caramel, as well as that of marshmallow. I also noticed a hint of spice.

The taste of Santander 70% included a coffee flavor that Lindy described as a light roast. There was also a tea in the roast, and flavors of citrus fruit, sweetness, and something nutty.

The melt was more smooth. The chocolate flavor lasted 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone, resulting in a medium length. For me, the finish somewhat acidic; Lindy experienced tannin and found it slightly ashy.

While receiving the same *** rating as the Grenada 82% we reviewed the same day, we both liked Santander 70% a little better, and Lindy rated it a high ***.

You can purchase Santander Colombian 70% online in the U.S. from Chocosphere for $2.90, which is an excellent price for a *** chocolate.

Review: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's 85%

Lindy's Rating: 2.0 (previously *)

Richard's Rating: 2.0 (previously *)

chocolate maker (unknown) bar Dark Chocolate Lover's 85% region Colombia plantation (unknown) cacao trees (unknown) year (unknown) size 100g ~ 3.5oz cocoa solids 85% added fat cocoa butter sweetener sugar emulsifier soy lecithin flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price N/A

color dark brown texture smooth with text imprints aroma strong vanilla, hint of caramel snap brittle taste overwhelmingly chalky, hint of burnt melt smooth length minimal finish minimal

MORE RECENT REVIEW: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's

Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lover's 85% bar has cacao beans from the Tumaco region of Colombia.

This bar had a strong vanilla aroma, with an added hint of caramel. Sadly, an overwhelming chalky flavor killed enjoyment of this chocolate, and perhaps hid more subtle flavors, although Lindy noticed a slight burnt taste as well. The length was minimal, with the flavor fading almost immediately after the chocolate. Fortunately, the finish of this bar was negligible.

This was the worst "quality" dark chocolate that either Lindy or I have reviewed, and thus the first one star dark chocolate for each of us :-(