chrisurban.com » dark chocolate

Salazon organic Dark Chocolate with Natural Sea Salt

Chris Urban — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:30:51 +0000

From Maryland, and Salzon Chocolate, we try one of their four dark chocolates that are all flavored with sea salt. We’re not one to turn down a chance at savory, and this fills the need for this trending flavor nicely. The others are additionally flavored with coffee, cane sugar, and the next we’d like to try: black pepper.

One nice aspect of adding salt to chocolate is that it softens the bitter blow some of the more dark chocolates can deal. In this particular case, it also highlights the nuttiness of the dark chocolate, and lends a creamy mouthfeel to the mid-range dark chocolate (54%) that otherwise would blend in with the rest of the organic dark chocolates you can pick up.

Another nice aspect of this line? They use customer-submitted photographs for their labels – you can go to salzonchoc.com to upload yours.

Chocomize Dark Chocolate with Cayenne and Mini Chipotle Peppers

Chris Urban — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:46:04 +0000

Hats off to the folks over at chocomize.com: they’ve developed an online chocolate ordering tool to allow customers to create custom made chocolate bars. And they’re local too, located just across the river in Cherry Hill.
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit Hersheypark and try out their custom-making chocolate mini assembly line, then you have an idea of how this works. Start with a chocolate base, and add ingredients before, during or after adding molten chocolate, before it soldifies. There are drawbacks however, with this process, and we’ll get to those in a minute.
More important, fellow chocolate aficionado, is what this online chocolate ordering system means for us. It means that our dear friends will think of us, and function as enablers and order us custom-made chocolate bars for us to enjoy and thank our dear friends for.

Trader Joe’s: The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar

Chris Urban — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:33:13 +0000

Readers, if you’ve read any of the other posts here, you will be familiar with our occasional rantings about finding that sweet spot with dark chocolate. It is, in our humble opinion, somewhere around the 60 percent mark that one is more likely to encounter such well composed chocolates.Below the 50% point, and the sugar and other flavors too easily overpower the chocolate; over 70% and the mix typically becomes too bitter. Lindt has an 83% bar that really is borderline, and that is a testament, we believe, to the quality of the cocoa and the sugar used in their bar. Lindt, unless you can find it on sale at Target (yeah, right), is a bit pricey.
Well, fear not, dear reader, as we have now encountered another bar, similarly high in cocoa, similarly on the fence between sweet and bitter, made with excellent quality cocoa. And, you can find it at your local Trader Joe’s.
In a move possibly to keep you from eating too much of this chocolate at once – we are talking a dark dark chocolate here – the folks at Trader Joe’s decided to pack this as two 50g (1.75 ounce) bars. (Traditional bars usually weigh in around 75 to 100g.)
This is a nice, smooth, bitter dark chocolate bar, plain and simple. It gets the job done; it’s the hammer in the dark chocolate toolbox, not the laser-guided compound mitre saw.

Chuao Panko

Chris Urban — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:11:55 +0000

If you want to pick a random chocolate bar the next time you’re in the store, and that store happens to carry Chuao chocolates, just pick one. Any one will do. That’s what we did, and this time we picked the Panko.I had hesitations – there’s breadcrumbs in my chocolate bar, they belong on a piece of cedar-plank grilled salmon, not in my chocolate. But, after tasting this, I’ve come to realize that this is actually a good complement to the Chuao Firecracker. What really makes this bar is not the chocolate, not the panko, but the sea salt. It’s almost as thought the salt was embedded int he breadcrumbs, so that once the initial bitterness of the chocolate has dissolved into a smooth creamy sweetness and starts to reveal the grit of the breadcrumbs, that’s when salt hits. Perfect timing, perfect proportions.
This is, simply put, another winner from those crazy chocolate crafters in Carlsbad.

Hägeland Limited Selection – Costa Rica 71%

Chris Urban — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:13:29 +0000

If you’ve read any of our other reviews, you may be familiar with our thinking about dark chocolates: in general, we believe the sweet spot for dark chocolate is somewhere between 60% and seventy percent. Here then, is a chocolate that makes a strong case for one just outside our sweet spot spectrum.
Made by Hägeland from Belgium, this is another of the fashionable single source chocolates; in this bar, cocoa from Costa Rica is the focus. Like other chocolates we’ve tried from this region, we get a strong earthy, woody, almost smoky flavor from the chocolate.
What’s nice about this particular chocolate, unlike some of the darker, more bitter chocolates we’ve had, is that it is not overly bitter, or rough. It is smooth, but not creamy, and it doesn’t have an overly complex flavor. It’s straight out enjoyable.
Check out other review of another Hägeland chocolate we tried out…

Hägeland Dark Chocolate Pear & Almonds

Chris Urban — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:19:29 +0000

One of two dark chocolates made by Hägeland that we’ve tried, this is a middle-of-the-road 57% dark Belgian chocolate. Mixed in we find pear granules and almonds, an interesting combination of notes for this chocolate. The pear hits a clear, high note, nicely complementing the sweetness in bittersweet chocolate. Then the almond’s middle kicks in, matching well with the bitterness. It’s a nice little harmony going on in here.
A little side note – one which we do not find well explained on the packaging – is that Hägeland is a well-known fruit producing region of Belgium. Known for pears, apples, and strawberries, the region also produces wine!
Getting back to the wine, um, I mean chocolate, this is tasty dark fruity chocolate, without being too fruity or too sweet. I’d be interested to see if there’s a pepper and strawberry version…

Dagoba Lavender Blueberry 59% cacao

Chris Urban — Tue, 04 May 2010 01:00:17 +0000

I tell you folks, if you’re in a store somewhere, and they sell chocolates, and they carry some or all of the Dagoba line, you need to pick one and try it. I happened to be in the Hershey’s store in Times Square (yeah, I know, but that’s another story) and quietly hiding on an endcap somewhere were some of Hershey’s other prized possessions: Dagoba and Scharffen Berger chocolate bars!
Yes, dear reader, Hershey’s owns Dagoba, and has since 2006? 2007? (Note: and Joseph Schmidt, too) Dagoba represents a nice organic trophy for their collection – I would imagine Hershey dare not tear it down and replace it with some slick over-marketed Special Dark/Dove amalgam of chocolate atrocity.

Anyway, on to the more interesting topic: this chocolate. We’ve had a number of Dagoba chocolates, some more interesting than others, and some, like the organic single origin line, have very distinctive flavors. This one, with its fruity floral focus, is just okay. I know, right? Weird hearing me say a chocolate is just ‘okay?’

Well, it is okay – it’s got a fairly good consistency and decent mouthfeel; the lavender is not overbearing, and the bits of blueberries are not too big or chewy. It’s in the right league of cacao levels – we like it in the upper 50s to mid 60s. So, it’s okay enough to enjoy. But it doesn’t knock my socks off. And that, dear reader, is the whole point of our pathetic part-time journey: to find a chocolate that knocks my socks off.

Noi Sirius Pure Icelandic Chocolate

Chris Urban — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:20:15 +0000

When tasting dark chocolate, and we’ve tasted a lot – we seek a flavor and mouthfeel experience that tries to hit all the right buttons: The chocolate should be creamy, but not too creamy. It should have the consistency as it melts on your tongue that is not too crunchy or crumbly, but should not melt too fast or oily.
When the piece you’ve just tasted has fully melted, and you’ve swallowed it, and you’re swishing around the last bits left in your mouth, enjoying those last few notes as it fades away – those last glimmers should match what you enjoyed earlier, not just the bass notes, or the higher citrus flavors, but as much of the spectrum of flavors as possible.
In terms of flavors, chocolate is a really hard thing to qualify, and dark chocolate is even harder. Dark chocolate, in an ideal universe, is the Lagrange point between the bitterness of cocoa, the sweetness of cane sugar, and the silkiness of butter. We see dark chocolates with all different amounts of cocoa: 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, even 90%. From our experience, it’s in the narrower band from 50 to 60 percent that we most often find harmonious experiences.
While a true physical balance can only be determined mathematically, it is in the taster’s mouth, and only there, that such a true dark chocolate balance can be sensed, judged and enjoyed.
It is here, in this oddly old-fashioned packaged chocolate bar, that we find as close to perfection as we have found. From Iceland (again! more north/colder = better chocolate), it is a 56% cocoa dark chocolate bar, in an unassuming white paper and wax paper wrapping. It is damn near perfect. Now I just to find myself more!

B.T. McElrath Chile Limón Chocolate

Chris Urban — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:39:37 +0000

The more chocolates we try, the more I seem to think that the further north (colder) they come from, the better the chocolate. Case in point: B.T. McElrath’s Chile Limón bar, from Minnesota.
This is a chocolate bar that wants to be a truffle. In terms of our rigid criteria in meeting awesomeness, this one has it: dark chocolate – not too bitter, not too sweet, nice crisp finish; milk chocolate – creamy, sweeter – again not too sweet. As far as the extras, they through in two of our favorites: chili peppers and lime.
However, as we are apt to criticize, let this not escape a similar fate: we think the chili is masked a little bit too much by the milk chocolate. It should be allowed to flourish a little more, especially on the finish. Similarly, the lime comes through, but not strong enough. I get the higher notes, but the challenge with lime is to get the full spectrum of its flavor across. Lime has a broader citrus range, and it tastes like some of it is missing here.
Finally, as much as I love the name, I hate its outer package. It looks like a Target-branded chocolate bar, with trying-to-be-cool Freehand typeface…

Dagoba beaucoup berries

Chris Urban — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:00:03 +0000

I can’t say that I have ever had a chocolate from Dagoba that I didn’t like. And here I find another flavor of theirs that I have not had tried! Dark chocolate – 74% cocoa – with cherries and cranberries. Simple, elegant mix of sweet, and bitter dark chocolate. Just throw in some pop rocks… just kidding.

Seriously though, this is kind of chocolate bar you want to have around to satisfy your fix. It gets the job done, it has bits of sweet dried fruit, it has a nice solid, rich chocolate base, and throw in a little vanilla to round the edges.

Dolfin Noir Au Poivre Blanc & Cardamome

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:09:16 +0000

Finally, we get to the third of three Dolfin chocolate bars in our Belgian-pepper trifecta. And, I think this might even the best of the three.
First we have dark, 60% cocoa, Belgian chocolate: nicely balanced. Smooth. Delicious.
Next, add white pepper and cardamom. Yum-my. Really – an interesting and savory mix. The white pepper has such a light flavor, and the savory gingery cardamom…
This is really a wonderful journey, though, in trying all three of these Dolfin bars together really allows you to experience the variety of peppers and cocoa percentages (32 to 52 to 60 percent). After all three, not only are we a little wired, but eager to try more Dolfin bars…

Dolfin Chocolat Noir Au Poivre Rose

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:45:27 +0000

Another fantastic Belgian chocolate, this time a dark – 52% cocoa – from the Belgian chocolatier Dolfin. This one is purely pink – peppercorns, that is.
We know well enough know to expect a solid chocolate from the Dolfin folks, and this is no exception. Smooth, nicely balanced, just enough sweet, just enough bitter, and the pink peppercorns gives just the right hint of ‘light’ pepper. That’s the beauty of a bar like this – it really makes you appreciate the subtle difference between a lighter, higher note from pink peppercorn, as opposed to the earthier, more pungent black pepper. (what about white pepper, you ask? there’s a chocolate for that.)
So now we’re two-thirds of the way through our Dolfin pepper chocolate trifecta. Read on…

New Tree Sexy Ginger Belgian chocolate

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:06:57 +0000

Another interesting chocolate we picked up courtesy of our friends at Chelsea Market Basket in NYC. It has ginger flavor, and, unexpectedly, guarana extract. Yes, it’s Red Bull in a chocolate. Even more bizarre, is the marketing on the back panel of the chocolate. See, from the front, you read “Sexy” first, then “Fine Belgian Dark Chocolate.” Then, on closer reading, the smaller type: “Ginger” and finally, “Energizing” well, of course its energizing silly, it’s chocolate!
Ok, so back to the back – there’s a violator across the panel that says:

Advantages
1 bar = 3 cups of coffee

Now, what the heck is this? Chocolate as a energizer bar? How bizarre is this?
We should have known when we read:”NewTree Sexy is chocolate in stilettos… …Naturally stimulating guarana extract adds an extra perk for a seductive treat.”
Ahh… it’s not an energizer or monster bar, it’s a Viagra bar. Yup.
Ok, it’s 73% cocoa, it’s Belgian chocolate. It’s got some ginger shavings. I think the ginger is purely to hide that weird guarana taste. The chocolate is good, it’s smooth, and balanced. The jury is still out on this one.

Chuao Firecracker

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:55:08 +0000

No bones about it, the folks at Chuao make some really good chocolates. We especially love the Spicy Maya. But this one folks, this might actually have too much going on.
There’s the chipotle chile first, then the the salt, and then – are you ready for this? – popping candy. Yes – pop rocks in chocolate. It’s an interesting effect – you sense the texture – as if there’s cocoa nibs or nuts. Then they dissolve, and pop! The effervescence overwhelms your tongue. But you’re still processing the smoky chipotle and savoring the salt. Then there’s all this popping going on.
It has such a nice smoky heat to it, the chocolate is a nice, smooth, 60% Venezuelan chocolate (like all of Chuao’s bars). The first taste or two was great, but then the popping was too distracting – I really want this bar with out the pop rocks.

Bremer Hachez Cocoa d’Arriba (Blueberry and Cocoa Nibs)

Chris Urban — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:53:09 +0000

Hachez makes some fantastic German chocolates. We last reviewed their Strawberry and pepper dark chocolate, and just recently found this one. Again, their combination of Ecuadorian cocoa, and fruit prove to be an interesting mix.
This German chocolate is smooth, creamy and rich – 77% cocoa – and the blueberry is just enough of a subtle hint to offset the bitterness of the dark chocolate. The crunchiness of the nibs holds everything together nicely.
But, not to be overly critical: it’s almost too dark – the blueberry is almost not enough.

Casa Don Puglisi Chilli Modicana Chocolate

Chris Urban — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:32:21 +0000

This was an interesting find – kudos to Chelsea Market Baskets in New York City for the recommendation. Made in Italy, in the laboratorio Don Puglisi, it comes in a plain wrapper, tied with a red string, and a card:

Handmade in the Aztec tradition, the unique opaque patina and rustic, brittle texture are the result of a cold production process that maintains the full flavor of each ingredient.

Opaque patina indeed – one first glance it appeared that the chocolate had melted and resolidified. This is exactly the appearance the card warns about: one closer inspection you can see the actual granules of cane sugar used.
So, on with it: how is this chocolate? Awesome, simply awesome. It’s almost an unchocolate. You take a piece into your mouth and bite into it; it’s more like a chocolate sugar cube. The sugar dissolves, mixing into the 45% cocoa, and then 15-20 seconds later, the chili kicks in – medium spicy, just the right amount.
The best way to summarize this bar? It’s like eating a spicy hot chocolate – you feel like you should be drinking it.

Newman’s Own Organics – Super Dark Chocolate 70%

Chris Urban — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:39:16 +0000

Speaking purely as a marketer, this intrigued me on the level of curiosity. Would this compare to other dark chocolates we have sampled? Was this merely a branded version of an organic chocolate produced by some larger chocolate concern? Would this hold up? Would it have been worth it?
In short, to my best estimation, the answer to all of these is yes.
This seems to have higher acidic note, but is grounded with a berry note – blueberry? blackberry? currants? – that keeps the taste interesting.
It has a good mouthfeel – it is creamy, smooth, but it has a waxier feel than average.
It’ll make you feel good, as it’s made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, and proceeds benefit Newman’s Own Foundation.
But, it still tastes a little generic. I got spoiled with that Dagoba bar – after that, this is like going to a Hershey’s bar.

Dagoba Conacado – 73% Dark Chocolate, Dominican Republic origin

Chris Urban — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:15:53 +0000

Dagoba has a phenomenal line of organic, single origin chocolates. We tried another in the line this past weekend, called “conacado,” after the Conacado Fair Trade co-op in the Dominican Republic.
This is truly a wonderful chocolate – the flavor covers a wide spectrum of sweet tart fruit (cherry? cranberry?), coffee, hazelnut, and vanilla.
This hits it home in all the categories – earthy but smooth mouthfeel, great consistency, great taste. It says organic, and it feels organic – not like that crazy tree-hugging, Prius-driving, recycled hemp clothes aunt of yours, but like you’re on the cocoa farm, trying samples alongside the farmer.
So, if I haven’t been clear enough – this is a really good chocolate; a Top 10 contender.
Five-year-old’s thoughts: “Bitter; I can taste a little bit of sour (simultaneously eating a Tootsie Pop), grape juice.”

Maria Tepozteca Chocolate Xocolatl (Chile)

Chris Urban — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 23:14:42 +0000

Picked this interesting chocolate up while down in Cancún, Mexico. Marketed as a traditional, Aztec-style chocolate, this massive 200g bar had me at “Chile.”
“It tastes sweet and a little bit spicy. And, it feels smooth and good.” – 5-year-old.
This really is quite interesting, both from taste and consistency perspectives. The mouthfeel is not at all like the typical dark chocolates – it’s gritty, and the ground cocoa is crunchy – almost like eating a Nestlé Crunch bar. It’s almost as though this is an anti-Lindt chocolate: it’s not overly sweet, indulgently smooth and obviously fattening. The initial taste is bitter and waxy, and as the chocolate melts and you crunch some chiles, more chocolate favor is imparted, on the wave of heat from the peppers. I was a little put off from the initial bite, but after the next few bites, more of the chocolate comes through.
Ingredients listed are simply “70% cacao, sugar, chile, lecitina [soy lecithin].” It’s wrapped in a wax paper wrapping, and the outer wrap brands it as part of the line of “Maria Tepozteca” line of chocolates, despite that name being absent from the rest of the wrapper.
So, despite the fact that it doesn’t actually say so on the wrapper, I am led to think this made in a more traditional style, more Aztec-xocolatl-ish. Either that, or this is poorly-made (or weirdly-made?) Mexican chocolate.

Hershey’s Extra Dark Chocolate with pomegranate

Chris Urban — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:58:14 +0000

“It’s delicious, and it has a little taste of [fruit] punch in it. It tastes a little bit like grape juice.” - 5-year-old
“It tastes like Giselle.” – 3-year-old
Surprisingly, it doesn’t immediately taste like Hershey’s chocolate. We think there might be a little too much pomegranate; the sweet and tart fruit almost overwhelm the chocolate. Okay, so maybe that’s a good thing because it’s Hershey’s?
The chocolate is creamy and smooth, and a little too sweet for my taste. That does make this a good chocolate to introduce oneself to dark chocolate with. The bits of pomegranate are chewy, and stick to your teeth. Interestingly enough, my 5-year-old was pretty accurate with review: among ingredients listed are fruit juice concentrate (apple, cranberry, pineapple and elderberry juice concentrates). So, overall, the chocolate is overpowered with fruit juices and tastes, but has a good consistency.