Guittard, Extra Dark Chocolate Chips, 63% Cacao

So sweet, so small,
they do declare, and make thy call
Thou shall not deny this wonder.

When my wife was nursing our son Cecil, her diet was restricted to non-dairy items. So, while I would have my chocolate at night, she found some Semi sweet chocolate chips from Trader Joe's that were ok to eat.

A few months later, I ran into Guittard chocolate chips in the baking aisle. I like the E Guittard chocolate bars and found the Guittard Chocolate chips to be incredibly well put together.

The chocolate chips themselves are a true dark chip and the vanilla is clear and present - all in all, great chocolate. These chips respond well in baking too -- try them in pancakes for a bittersweet add to a hearty oatmeal based-cake.

I've linked to the Guittard site here, however, you will need to search these chips out -- some supermarkets carry them. The Guittard bars are also terrific -- the bard will be back to review aald.
At-a-glanceForm: Chip
Cacao: 63%
Variety: Dark Chocolate

Raaka, Bourbon, cask aged, 83%

To put thou together
No matter or whether
a vice in hand
lends pleasure to man


The bourbon is clear and present. The chocolate is pure. The combination is natural. This bar separates itself from other 80%+ bars that may be bold, but fall flat. The cask aged bourbon picks up the strength of the chocolate, and makes this an extremely edible and incenting chocolate. The packaging notes strong caramel, vanilla and oak -- I would put them in the opposite order, and they are right on.

Good snap, and immediate, lasting flavor. Of the Raaka bars I've had, this is the strongest to date. Well done.

At-a-glance
Form: Bar
Cacao: 83%
Variety: Dark

Vosges, Smoke and Stout Caramel, 70%

Your armour reveleeth a chink
But from thou midst cometh a flow
so, the cost of luxe and the play on the buds
will keep thine from playing the crow

First off, I purchased this bar from their in-airport shop in O'Hare - and after throwing in my bag on the run, I wound up with a broken bar when I finally unsealed it. Of the handful of Vosges bars I've had, a few have been cracked -- so beware while buying and handle with care. Great broken chocolate is still great chocolate.

The smokey flavor from the stout is clear and present -- it is the driver of this bar. It's often difficult to judge quality of filled bars, like this caramel oozing one -- especially when they are this thin. The chocolate really runs through each Vosges that I've had and this bar is the standard for their terrific flavor.

Good snap, good shine. The salt is difficult to get a strong taste of, but subtly is found in the aftertaste and enhances the taste depth. I was surprised that the caramel was as sweet as it was - had expected something more bittersweet, but it is a good foil for the dark bar.

Overall, one of the messier bars, but in all the right ways. You'll love the taste of this bar.

At-a-glance
Form: Filled Bar
Cacao: 70%
Variety: Dark
Origin: tba

Madecasse, 70%

Shalt not cry wolf
Lest ye face the bite
so hold thine tongue
to allow a might

Madecasse develops an extraordinary flavor -- bold, crisp and fruity. The chocolate is a pliable one, enough snap to survive, but very friendly to a bite. The bar itself is billed as rich and fruity, and it fits -- think a ripe fig embedded throughout the squares. I am very impressed with both Madecasse offerings I have enjoyed -- the resiliant mouth feel leaves you craving more. This is certainly part of the discussion of best of bard.

At-a-glance
Form: Bar
Cacao: 70%
Variety: Dark
Origin: Madagascar

Theo's Bread and Chocolate, 70%

Hast I found ye,
Best thing since sliced bread?
Or within a better vessel
Dost ye now tread?

From Theo's 3400 Phinney collection hails an interesting formula: 70% chocolate, sea salt and breadcrumbs. While some bars featuring sea salt squirrel it away, the taste is clear and present here. The breadcrumbs are also accounted for, and provide a terrific texture and a slight crunch. The chocolate gets lost a bit.

Worth noting that Theo is the only Organic, Fair Trade, Fair for Life certified Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in North America.

The bar itself is memorable and the collection is very intriguing.

At-a-glance
Form: Bar
Variety: Dark
Cacao: 70%

back of bar

Taza Stone Ground Organic, 70% Dark

Shall thou taketh blood from a stone?
Only if the blood be a taste of more.
What comes from this ground
Is worth as much as a flesh pound

The Review
Dark chocolate tends to have a story to it. You'll need to read the package, or do some research to determine why most are different. Taza's bar clearly tells you the story. Their unique stone ground process is part of every bite of this offering, the 70%. This is one of those bars you must seek out and try. The gritty texture disables some of the snap, but makes for a very smooth bite and carries the taste. This makes for a very interesting experience, a lighter 70% bar (tastes more like a 60ish), with a texture that allows you to taste every piece, and an extremely well made a good looking bar. No gimmicks here, just stone ground goodness.

I highly recommend Taza, and they offer a tour in their Somerville, MA location. Find them at Whole Foods, or at their webstore.


At-a-glance
Type: Bar
Variety: Dark
Cacao: 70%
Special thanks to Kate from Taza for supplying me with a freshly made 70% dark - well worth it.

Valrhona Ampamakia 64% (Madagascar)

Where have thou been, deerest sweet
twas far too long, since our last meet
Valrhona hence bridgeth the soul
Certainly not a lump of coal

This is my first taste of Valrhona. In working through this bar over the past few days, I've found a very good chocolate bar, with some sophistication to it. All the basics are intact -- consistent color, good snap, smooth appearance and texture. But the greatness is locked in the bar.

For a 64% (min) bar, there is very litle bitter taste to it. The vanilla is strong, but extremely well balanced with the cacao, creating a very edible bar that can be enjoyed on its own, or paired with either sweet or salty. A semi-sweet aftertaste lasts for just a few moments, and ultimately cleans well.

This is a treat - a great bar, and going fast.

At-a-glanceType: Bar
Variety: Dark
Cacao: 64%