FORTNUM & MASON Piccadilly since 1707 No 19 Madagascar

Evaluation Date: March 2014

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Heathrow Airport

Broma Rating: 9 - "I wasn't happy with the texture of this bar. I like the cocoa content, the sweetness and the packaging, but it isn't smooth enough. Again this is a comparative analysis and this element is holding it back from being a "10" (even though they claim to have been in Piccadilly since 1707)"

Theo Rating: 10 - "Au contraire, I loved this dark chocolate! The sweetness, bouquet and dark chocolate blend was perfect to my taste. I give it a 10!"

IT'SUGAR Premium Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: September 2013

Cocoa Content: ??%

Purchased @: Chandler, AZ

Theo Rating: 5 - "Too sweet and not enough dark chocolate content or taste. "

Broma Rating: 5 - "Clearly not enough cocoa content in this sample to warrant the name "Dark Chocolate"  Additionally, the cocoa content isn't even included on the packaging."

WHOLE FOODS COSTA RICA

Evaluation Date: February 2013

Cocoa Content: 71%

Purchased @: Whole Foods

Theo Rating: 10 - "I really liked this sample, visually, texturally and taste wise! It was an excellent dark chocolate!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "I am "sold" on this new sample from Whole Foods! It’s a "10" that hits texture, sweetness and cocoa content squarely in the BullsEye!   I can't wait to test the next Whole Foods sample."

DARK CHOCOLATE BLACKOUT Intense Cocoa Power ALTER ECO (BOLIVIA)

Evaluation Date: June 2012

Cocoa Content: 85%

Purchased @: QFC

Theo Rating: 8 - "The high cacao content verged on the bitter. I would have preferred a sweeter taste. However, the dark chocolate flavor was excellent."

Broma Rating: 9 - "The marketing statement on the back of the packaging states, "one bite is enough to knock your socks off . . . ." - I have to agree! For a high-percentage sample, this one is very pleasing. "

MOSER ROTH Privat Chocolatiers Edel Bitter

Evaluation Date: August 2016

Cocoa Content: 85%

Purchased @: Germany (thanks to Bruno!)

Theo Rating: 9 - "I loved everything about this sample but the sweetness. If it had been a tad sweeter for me, I would have given it a 10"

Broma Rating: 10 - "OK, the previous sample (from Germany) inspired me to create a new "Uber Dark" category. This one is not only in that category, it is a "10" !!  Just the right balance of cocoa content, texture and sweetness."

Vintage Plantations (Handcrafted Artisanal Chocolate)

Evaluation Date: July 2012

Cocoa Content: 100%

Purchased @: Issaquah PCC

Theo Rating: 2 - "The aroma was wonderful! However, without any sweetness, this dark chocolate was TOO bitter."

Broma Rating: 2 - "I can only recommend this d-d-d-d-dark-choc  to those who are doing a science experiment. It certainly addresses your curiosity, but that's about all. We did evaluate this brand in a 75% content previously."

PRESTAT Intensely Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: March 2014

Cocoa Content: 80%

Purchased @: Heathrow Airport

Theo Rating: 9 - "I too rated it a 9. It was a tad too bitter for me. I would have liked a little more sweetness too."

Broma Rating: 9 - "A wonderful dark chocolate with a powerful "kick"!   But, if I were to compare it with others (and this is what this is all about) I have to say that I really would prefer one of the "10's" above to this one, as the cocoa content is just a bit too high."

AMANO Artisan Chocolate MADAGASCAR

Evaluation Date: October 2011

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Salt Lake City

Theo Rating: 7 - "I found this chocolate good at the first bite, but then developed a somewhat salty/bitter taste that I did not like. "

Broma Rating: 10 - "This is a wonderful dark choc that is smooth, sweet and cocoa-ed perfectly! Its no wonder this company has received several awards for their product!"

BLANXART Barcelona, 1954 PERU

Evaluation Date: January 2016

Cocoa Content: 77%

Purchased @: France

Theo Rating: 5 - "I too found the texture of this sample not pleasant. There was also a residual taste from the chocolate I did not like. Not a good sample."

Broma Rating: 6 - "I'm not happy with this sample. The 'grainy' texture of the chocolate doesn't leave with a good feeling. The cocoa content is high enough to provide a 'kick', however."

KALLARI farmer-owned organic made in Ecuador

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 85%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 8 - "This chocolate was very smooth, had a good aroma but was not quite as sweet as I prefer. All in all, an excellent chocolate."

Broma Rating: 9 - "This dark Chocolate's cocoa content is one of the higher samples that we have evaluated. It therefore approaches an uncomfortable bitterness level. That stated, I like it very, very much and rate it as a "9"."

Hageland Premium Belgian Chocolate Limited Origin Selection (Peru)

Evaluation Date: August 2011

Cocoa Content: 64%

Purchased @: Walmart

Theo Rating: 10 - "I concur. The aroma was GREAT and the sweetness was right on. An excellent chocolate!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "A wonderful dark choc, with a perfect balance of dark sharpness, sweetness and smoothness. It rates, in my book, along with the very best we've sampled!"

Chocolove XOXOX BELGIAN CHOCOLATE

Evaluation Date: December 2013

Cocoa Content: 65%

Purchased @: Metropolitan Market

Theo Rating: 10 - "I loved it and so did the other 5 folks I shared it with - We all loved it! "

Broma Rating: 10 - "Again, Chocolove produces a sample with a "10" rating! This is a solid dark choc that has a pleasing level of cocoa, just the right amount of sweetness and a smooth texture that pleases."

PACARI - RAW

Evaluation Date: August 2015

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: France

Theo Rating: 7 - "I missed a strong dark chocolate flavor in this sample, and the texture was not as smooth as I prefer. Otherwise, it was a decent sample."

Broma Rating: 6 - "Theo is right, this evaluation was a disappointment in cocoa content."

Lake Champlain Chocolates all natural African Blend

Evaluation Date: October 2012

Cocoa Content: 80%

Purchased @: Portland Maine

Theo Rating: 6 - "I found this dark chocolate taste a tad bitter and the sweetness was not where I like it to be."

Broma Rating: 7 - "Very much like a previous Trader Joe's sample. A great combination of cocoa level but somewhat lacking in texture. A little too waxy for my tastes."

MONGGO Extra Fine Chocolate

Evaluation Date: January 2014

Cocoa Content: 58%

Purchased @: Bali Indonesia

Theo Rating: 6 - "I liked this chocolate, although not as dark as I prefer. I’ll give it a 6."

Broma Rating: 5 - "It really is a treat to sample a chocolate from indonesia! However the cocoa level of this sample (58%) is far too low to be considered a 'dark' chocolate. It is otherwise smooth & sweet and a very nice treat, I can't give it more than a 5."

Baron Chocolate Dark

Evaluation Date: November 2011

Cocoa Content: ??%

Purchased @: Sweeties Candy - Phoenix, AZ

Theo Rating: 5 - "I didn't think this chocolate was horrible. It was perhaps a little stale, but the flavor was not too bad."

Broma Rating: 3 - "Really bad. This is not a pleasing sample at all. It may be too aged, but I have a hunch that even if this was a fresh copy, it still wouldn't make it above a "5" "

Solstice Sambirano Madagascar

Evaluation Date: April 2016

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 9 - "Excellent dark chocolate sample! I liked the dark chocolate taste and smoothness. However, the "hints of citrus and berries" were a little strange for me, and kept me from giving it a "10.""

Broma Rating: 10 - "Fantastic dark chocolate bar! The only other thing I can add is that I very much enjoyed the "hints of citrus and berries" present in this sample!"

NOI SIRIUS Pure Icelandic Chocolate

Evaluation Date: August 2012

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Maine

Theo Rating: 6 - "I expected it to be smoother and better tasting. Perhaps the sample we tried had been stored too long? I agree that it may have been targeted for  cooking or baking."

Broma Rating: 6 - "I'm afraid that the age and the granular nature of this sample has handicapped its rating. I like the cocoa content (sufficiently dashing) but smooth, it is not. It appears to be targeting a cooking or baking audience, rather than an afternoon snack audience."

Vintage Plantations (Artisanal Chocolate)

Evaluation Date: July 2010

Cocoa Content: 75%

Purchased @: QFC

Theo Rating: 6 - "I actually liked the dark chocolate, but agree it was a little "burnt" "

Broma Rating: 5 - "A dark choc that says, "This is not a pleasing experience!" The initial "burnt" flavor is too profound to give way to the acceptable "after taste" "

CHAPON Chocolatier VENEZUELA

Evaluation Date: August 2015

Cocoa Content: 75%

Purchased @: Somewhere in France

Theo Rating: 10 - "I loved this sample! It had just the right blend of dark chocolate taste, smoothness and sweetness. A GREAT sample :) "

Broma Rating: 10 - "A WINNER !! On top of this being a "10" in my book, it also "breaks the mold" on packaging a great dark choc. Wonderful flavor, texture and kick."