Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is where it’s at for me. I was bought up on the stuff. Some people call it “bitter chocolate” and don’t like the taste, but it would be unwise to lump all dark chocolate in that category. Of course the 99% stuff such as the Michel Cluizel Noir Infini is a very acquired taste and wasn’t for me.

Then you get chocolate such as the Amatller 85% Dark Chocolate Bar from Ecuador which is up there for bitterness but has a fantastic, well-rounded character.

At the 75% level you’ve got the Pralus Trinidad 75% dark chocolate bar which a truly beautiful bar of dark chocolate and has well rounded notes to it.

Further down the scale there’s the Valrhona Dark Chocolate Caraibe 66% Cacao is a beautiful bar that certainly has the wow factor.

And near the lowest level of cocoa content you have the Dolfin Dark Chocolate With Earl Grey Tea at 52% which is adds something different to the mix and should be experienced!

But you should look behind the cocoa content. Even chocolate at the same “strength” can have completely different flavours. If you take the Pralus Trinidad 75% dark chocolate bar and compare it to the Pralus Bresil 75% dark chocolate bar, you’ll notice a radically different flavour. The former has a slightly fruity flavour, whilst the later is much more acidic, earthy and complex flavour – they’re totally different.

If you wanted to buy dark chocolate then you can’t go far wrong with checking out Chocolate Trading Co but Hotel Chocolat, Montezuma’s and Thorntons do some interesting dark chocolate bars and gifts too. But also check out some of the UK chocolate shops and some in London too.

One of my favourite dark chocolate bars has been the The Chocolate Cafe 70% Dark Chocolate bar. This is well worth looking at.

If you wanted to find dark chocolate reviewed by cocoa content then here’s a list:

• 99% Dark Chocolate
• 85% Dark Chocolate
• 80% Dark Chocolate
• 75% Dark Chocolate
• 74% Dark Chocolate
• 72% Dark Chocolate
• 70% Dark Chocolate
• 66% Dark Chocolate
• 64% Dark Chocolate
• 61% Dark Chocolate
• 60% Dark Chocolate
• 52% Dark Chocolate

And if you would like to find chocolate reviews of the best dark chocolate makers then consider:

• Amedei
• Domori
• Michel Cluizel
• Pralus
• Valrhona
• Venchi

And feel to check out our chocolate shop if you want to buy dark chocolate.