To a greater extent that I'd like to admit, this blog started out as something of an excuse to go on wasting huge amounts of time on the internet gabbing about perfume, and I think that pretty much explains the occasional chocolate posts as well. This chocolate bar I'm eating? Oh, it's just research. Here are brief reviews of six bars. If you're not interested in chocolate, come back tomorrow, when Kevin will have a real fragrance review.
Do you love cardamom? The L'Artigiano di Gardini Cardamomo bar (62% cocoa, shown above left) is fabulous. It does for cardamom what the Chuao Chocolatier Chinita Nibs bar does for nutmeg. If they would just add something crunchy and/or chewy to it, it would be heaven on earth. According to the little price tag on the back, I paid $11.50 for this bar. That can't be, can it? I'm quite sure I would never spend that on a chocolate bar. Ack. Next.
Moving on, the Eclipse Chocolat Gingerbread Crumb bar, with "cinnamon spiced chocolate flecked with muscavado [sic?] sugar and gingerbread crumbs". At 50% cocoa, this is sweeter than I like — I sort of thought that a very gingery-spicy gingerbread would temper the sweetness, but the gingerbread flavor in this bar is mild at best. The bar is slightly chewy, but only slightly. It's perfectly enjoyable but nothing I would buy again, although it might be a good bar for someone who likes a milder chocolate and doesn't want a lot of competing flavors muddling up their chocolate. Expect to pay around $6.
The Gingerbread Toffee Bar from Vosges is closer, but still no cigar, on the gingerbread front anyway. It's 65% cocoa (just what I like), and has a perfect balance between crunchy and chewy (ditto) and stronger flavors (ditto again). But it's very salty. I like salty chocolate, but in this case there's more salt than spice (just to be clear, there's no actual gingerbread in there, just toffee made with gingerbread spices). If you're mostly after a good dark chocolate bar with salty toffee, this one qualifies: I have a feeling I'd like it much better if it weren't for the expectations raised by the word "gingerbread" in the name. $7.50.
Also from Vosges, the Peppermint Candy Cane bar (shown above right). I figured this would be kind of dull, but I loved the bright candy cane ribbon on the outer box so I bought it anyway, and as it turned out, it's pretty wonderful. There are teeny tiny pieces of peppermint candy throughout, and they give this bar the perfect amount of crunch. This might be my favorite peppermint chocolate bar ever, although I'm still very fond of the Dolfin Noir Aux Feuilles de Menthe.
It's way low on the "wacky flavor combinations" scale, but lots and lots of whole almonds make the Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate bar very enjoyable, and it has just the right amount of salt: not too little, not too much. As always with Chocolove, the price is reasonable (especially in comparison to all the bars listed above) at around $3.
And last on my list for today, the Eclipse Chocolat Espresso Walnut (shown above center), with 61% cocoa. I don't much notice the walnuts, but this bar has excellent coffee flavor and a nice crunch. It's not exciting, but it's a nice coffee bar, and I do like it better than many of the other Eclipse bars I've tried. For more coffee + chocolate, see here.
Had any good chocolate bars lately? Do share in the comments.
Santa DH put a Vosges Oaxaca bar in my stocking. Rich, dark chocolate and just a hint of tingle from the chiles (though it does build the more squares one eats).
Hey, nice Santa DH! Those are good bars.
These all sound good to me, especially the cardamom one! My friend stuck a Trader Joe’s dark chocolate truffle bar in my Christmas present and that thing was pretty darn good. I don’t know what the percentage of cocoa was, but it was delicious.
Just had one of those recently too, and agree.. it’s delicious.
That is one of my husband’s favorites! I don’t know the percentage either, but it’s pretty sweet regardless because of the filling.
I agree, the cardamon sounds fantastic!
My 6 yr old chose a Green & Black 85% dark chocolate bar for me for a Christmas gift. I expected dark, bitter and chalky, as is often the case with the higher percentage bars, but this one was smooth and VERY good. Apparently they add Madagascar vanilla to temper some of the bitterness. Many of yours sound wonderful, but ever since World Market closed its MN stores, I have little access to good chocolate.
We lost our local World Market too! Now I have to buy massive amounts of chocolate whenever I come across a good source. It’s embarrassing how much I am willing to buy at one go. Many of the bars I’m reviewing today came from the Mon Aimee chocolate store in Pittsburgh’s Strip district -> a really easy place to spend a lot of money very quickly.
I don’t have easy access to much good chocolate (or good perfume) either. I would say that at least 90% of everything reviewed on this site is not available at any retail outlet within 50 miles of where I live. I don’t mind ordering perfume over the internet. but I really don’t want to buy chocolate that way.
I know it’s crazy, although if you’re going to do it, now is the time since you don’t have to pay for fast shipping (since it’s cold). I do 1 or 2 orders from Chocosphere most years, although I haven’t had to this winter, and last year I did a big order from Chuao Chocolate too.
That Green & Black 85% is my staple chocolate, Boojum! It is organic, strong-flavored enough that a few squares are satisfying, and I’m sure that anything with such a high ratio of antioxidants to sugar counts as real food
Smart son!
Daughter.
But yes, she is smart…and knows what her mom likes!
DH’s Christmas presents to me this time included the usual basket of Godiva. I finally managed to convey to him that I very much prefer dark chocolate, so this time it was ALL dark chocolate. I love their chocolate, but I find it hard to buy it for myself. It’s probably silly, but if I buy it I keep thinking about how much it cost, but if he buys it for me, I can pretend not to know, and I feel less guilty about it. It all comes out of the same bank account, but still there is a psychological factor.
It is odd — I can buy chocolate bars, but have a hard time buying separate filled chocolates like Godiva — those seem like an extravagance. Ha.
“According to the little price tag on the back, I paid $11.50 for this bar. That can’t be, can it? I’m quite sure I would never spend that on a chocolate bar.” Lolol That cardamom bar sounds like heaven, but I’d want the same thing you do – something crunchy or chewy.
There’s nothing “exotic” about it but I made my usual holiday pot of toffee covered with dark choc and nuts. It’s easier than you think. Oh, and husband doesn’t like sea salt so I wound up with the Lindt Sea Salt, and their red pepper one, which isn’t bad.
I actually have one other bar on hand that cost a little less, but cost more per oz…it has smoked figs in it, and it took me about 20 minutes to decide if I could stand to buy it or not. It had better be good.
Smoked figs?? That sounds wonderful.
I am keeping my fingers crossed! A crappy $10 bar will make me really mad.
Well?!?!?! I think it sounds wonderful!
Oh, gosh, I have at least 8 or 9 partly eaten bars to get through before I can open that one! Promise to review it when I do eat it.
Is no theme, no perfume kind of like no woman, no cry, lol? All those chocolate bars sound amazing! My post holiday bottom line is happy I don’t have access to any of them!!
… as is my post-holiday bottom.
Zackly.
LOL! I was thinking the same thing!
Ha! Me too.
LOL — yes, that is exactly what it’s like!
Chocomize! Great DIY chocolatier here in NJ. You pick from three Callebaut bases (white, milk, dark) and your choice of add-ins. If you want rose petals, black peppercorns, and candied canteloupe in your chocolate, they will do it for you!
Oh, how cool is that!! I will have to google them.
Where can I find that cardamom chocolate bar, babe?
I loves me some cardamom, heh, heh…
Hugs!
I am really sorry to tell you that I don’t know. Worldwidechocolate.com carries this brand, but doesn’t seem to have this particular bar. I found it in a little boutique, though, so it’s definitely distributed in the US.
I want that one too! Cardamom can do no wrong in my book.
IIRC Dolfin makes little cardamom squares too. They also make a full-sized bar, which I’ve never tried, with White Pepper & Cardamom.
So, have you tried the Dolfin one? That sounds really good. It, also, sounds like I can get my hands on it.
Hugs!
I’ve tried the little squares that come in the spice set…the spice set is wonderful all around, and includes cinnamon, cumin (those are weird but addictive) and I think the green anise.
I haven’t tried the larger bar w/ pepper.
Yum! Will have to try those as well. Thanks!
Violet – a place in Gainesville, Florida claims to be the sole seller of this brand in the U. S. (obviously no longer true if Robin found it), but their website is fruitoftheboot.com. I’m going to see if they’ll ship as I’m dying to try this one.
Ah, betcha they’re the US distributor!
Oooo! I’m all about wacky! what are some of the best wacky flavor combos you’ve come across?
Dolfin’s chocolate & cumin. Many of the things by Vosges, including their bacon bar. My next chocolate post will be about florals in chocolate — I’d call those wacky too.
Man, I was really hoping we could get through this post without mentioning that b-word chocolate bar! lol!
I have never had bacon with chocolate, but if I ever cam across it, I would try it. I have been to a place in Snook, TX (a very small town near College Station) that serves deep-fried bacon with cream gravy. That’s fat, fried in fat, and dipped in more fat before eating it. I would like to report that I actually did eat it and have not yet dropped dead from a heart attack.
LOL! That sounds like something our tech person would eat. She’s from the mountains of Eastern Ky. and she says she fries everything – even Oreos! UGH!!
So sorry!
hahaha – I just had my square of the dark b-bar before I opened nst.
I’m out-numbered!
My best friend brought me some chocolate from Israel. The brand is Holy Cocoa. Ultra organic cocoa. Very nice, very fresh, very chocolate!
Oh, it sounds nice!
True confession: a bit too bitter for me!
Oh, too bad! A trick I learned from Kevin: spread a thin layer of strawberry jam on it.
Now that DOES sound good! Raspberry would be good too.
Hi Robin, newish poster here, but had to pipe up about the chocolate. I’ve only tried the Chocolove one of the ones you mention, but adore Vosges and so want to try that one as well. I got a box of La Maison du Chocolat for Christmas and am grooving on those elegant, luscious flavors as well as my fave supermarket bar, the Lindt dark chocolate sea salt bar. Thanks for a yummy post!
Welcome!
I’ve heard LMdC is wonderful, and I’ve never tried them. The Lindt w/ Sea Salt is definitely good.
I got a box of the chocolate caramel marshmellows and the caramel sea salt bar from Vosges last month, quite yummy, although not quite as yummy ad the almond caramel sea salt chocolate bark I got from Godiva. That was truly divine.
Then I will have to look for that Godiva bar, thanks!
yum yum yum… you’re trying to kill me woman, I let myself get snowed in with no chocolate. I made a spiced rice pudding but that does not compare with chocolate. Where did you get the Eclipse Chocolat Gingerbread Crumb bar? That sounds perfect.
Oh, but I love rice pudding! And bread pudding.
I got that in a small store in Pittsburgh, Mon Aimee. They’re a California company and they do sell online,
…and oddly enough, I’ve been on a tapioca pudding bender lately. No idea what possessed me.
Had a Mo’s Bacon Bar over the holidays — salty but edible. Last year had a strange lavender bar, tasted a bit like soap…
I love the dark Mo’s, the milk one not so much. I’ve had the Dagoba lavender bar, it’s fine but not a favorite of mine. I have a new lavender one that I haven’t tried yet…
These all sound delicious! Alas, no chocolate for me for Christmas, but I did receive homemade fudge (both chocolate and peanut butter), chocolate covered potato chips (delicious believe it or not) and some homemade macaroons.
Wow, were those commercially made (the potato chips) or homemade? Actually surprised we don’t see more of those. And then surprised there isn’t already an M&M with potato chip inside.
They were commercial:
http://www.chocolatepizza.com/categories/Other-Chocolates/Chocolate-Covered-Potato-Chips/
The chocolate was an excellent, although milk, chocolate. I was surprised how good they were.
M & M is working on it, I’m sure! They did the pretzel ones first.
Nice, thanks! Love the tub.
I love the sound of the Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate bar. Gotta try it! Right now, my favorite is the Lindt Excellence Intense Orange, with bits of oranges and almonds. Finally tried one of their sea salt ones recently, too. Liked it a lot!
Hi Haunani, I’m seconding you on that orange bar — wonderful! And I’ve been known to nibble a whole bar of their dark chocolate/sea salt
in one sitting (terrible, I know!!).
Love the orange, but the sea salt isn’t my favorite. World Market’s sea salt bar was so much better.
Oh, that’s another good one from Lindt.
In just my desk drawer here at work I have
TJ Dark Truffle, and Dark Raisins & Pecans
TJ Swiss Milk (for those days when I need just sweet)
Chuao Spicy Maya
Vosges Mo’s Dark Bacon
Vosges Barcelona Bar (love this one – hickory smoked almonds, salt, deep milk choco 45%)
Jade Mahal (cinnamon, ylang ylang, coconut)
Alter Eco Dark Choco Mint
Gack
I guess I just felt like taking inventory! Sorry.
And my home list is probably worse. Maybe.
I need to find out how to get Chocolove.
Wow, that Jade Mahal sounds amazing, Tama!
Oh, that Jade Mahal sounds awesome!
Chocolove ought to be the easiest. Trader Joes used to carry them, but don’t know if they still do. Whole Foods usually has them. At least one grocery store near me has them, and so does a local health food store. Chocosphere online does have them too, but then you’ve got to pay shipping.
There’s a vendor called *Chocosphere*? LOL!!!
Chocosphere is wonderful!! But Amazon has accustomed me to free shipping, I do hate paying for shipping.
Yes, and Amazon has also accustomed me to buying at least $25 worth of stuff to *get* the free shipping!
My Target carries a couple of them…one with cherries, and one other. Alas, never anything I’m much interested in trying. I keep looking, though, in case they expand their selection.
The cherry one is ok, but not a favorite of mine. (The cherry m&ms, however, are vaguely gross but wonderful at the same time)
Even though I generally prefer dark chocolate, at the moment my favorite bar (and also my entire family’s favorite) is the Salty Sweet Cashew bar from Charles Chocolate.
“Our new Salty-Sweet Cashew Bar brings together our remarkably dark, rich milk chocolate with freshly roasted whole cashew nuts. With a meringue of Fleur de Sel and sugar, the salty-sweet nuts paired with our dark milk chocolate are a truly amazing combination.”
See: http://www.charleschocolates.com/online-store/chocolate-bars/sscashew.html
I also really like the Charles Chocolate Bittersweet Caramelized Crisped Rice Bar (crisped rice is caramelized and blended with 65% bittersweet chocolate).
I have not tried that company — tempted!! But must eat down some of my stash first.
Oh, man, that sounds good!
Robin, I adore that Chocolove bar – the salty almond chocolate combo is almost toffee-like. I have to stay far away from those!
One of the most interesting and delicious chocolate experiences I had was several decades ago in Nairobi. There was an Indian restaurant that also sold Indian sweets for take-away, and they made a cardamon-scented halva with pistachios mixed in and a layer of chocolate on top – YUM!!!
More recently, I was inspired by a discussion with March on Perfume Posse to take squares from Lindt rasperry chocolate bars and grind black pepper over them. The chocolate-raspberry-black pepper combo is really wonderful. I only wish the fillings were less liquid so that I could eat the squares in smaller bites – perhaps I will try Rapple’s suggestion of spreading rasperry jelly on bitter chocolate….muahaha!
Wow, that sounds almost worth trying to find a recipe for…except I hate to cook. So perhaps I’ll just try the pepper!
oh espresso, chocolate, and walnuts? yum! if it weren’t so damn cold and snowy out i’d be on the prowl for chocolate right now…
You can always prowl online
I love that ribbon candy!
I am visually devouring the pictures as I type this, which proves that I can indeed multi-task!
It’s pretty candy
My husband gave me a Green & Black Organic dark chocolate bar with tiny bits of candied ginger in it for Christmas.
Oh, those are nice! If you live bigger chunks of ginger, try the Chocolove version.