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."

SAFEWAY SELECT Extra Dark - Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: June 2012

Cocoa Content: 78%

Purchased @: Safeway

Theo Rating: 9 - "Very good, but I like a little more sweetness."

Broma Rating: 10 - "Its very interesting that the other Safeway Select samples rated very high marks, and that we wondered how the same might score, without "combo" items, such as nuts or berries. Well now we know! Its great! A Zinger dark choc!"

Theo Audubon COSTA RICA

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 91%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 6 - "This sample was much too bitter for me. The dark chocolate flavor was very good, but not sweet enough for me."

Broma Rating: 7 - "Though this dark choc has an incredibly high cocoa content, the blend is done very well. As far as extreme "high percentage" samples this is one of the best I've tested. I'm not, however, fond of this category of dark choc."

MOONSTRUCK Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Bar DARK Chocolate

Evaluation Date: Feb 2011

Cocoa Content: 68%

Purchased @: ?

Theo Rating: 7 - "The dark chocolate tastes good and the chocolate very smooth, but not one of the best we have tasted."

Broma Rating: 7 - "This is a good sample that reminds you why you like dark verses milk chocolate. Its strong with just the right "bitter" taste, but it's not more than a "7" "

Chocolove XOXOX BELGIAN CHOCOLATE

Evaluation Date: November 2013

Cocoa Content: 77%

Purchased @: Metropolitan Market

Theo Rating: 10 - "Today’s sample was excellent!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "This "high percentage" great dark chocolate is smooth and pleasing sample that I consider a "10" ! I very look forward to testing its 55% and 65% brothers!."

WOODBLOCK CHOCOLATE PORTLAND, ORE

Evaluation Date: June 2014

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Portland Airport

Theo Rating: 7 - "I found the texture good, but with a slightly fruity taste when I first bit into the bar. The finish was good, as was the dark chocolate taste and the sweetness. "

Broma Rating: 8 - "Very impressive "dark kick" with this sample, when only publishing a 70% content! I like the packaging, though the size of the bar is a significant negative (too small!)"

Seattle Chocolates WHIDBEY Wildberry

Evaluation Date: Aug 2010

Cocoa Content: ?? %

Purchased @: Boehms Chocolates

Theo Rating: 8 - "Ditto for me!"

Broma Rating: 8 - "I like this one better than Orange Appeal. The fruit flavor is very subtle and it does enhance the fine dark choc foundation. Very smooth and pleasing."

SIRIUS KONSUM Urvals Tegund

Evaluation Date: July 2013

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Iceland

Theo Rating: 10 - "Excellent dark chocolate!"

Broma Rating: 10 - "It may be the fact that this sample comes from Iceland, but that on top of the fact that it is an outstanding dark chocolate, I have to give it a  "10" !"

Lindt Excellence (Intense Dark)

Evaluation Date: June 2010

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Albertsons

Theo Rating: 6 - "The taste was intense dark chocolate, but for me bordered on the bitter, even when savored. I also detected a very slight gritty taste."

Broma Rating: 8 - Pure Dark Choc taste (especially when savored - [2 minutes per square])"

Bee Pollen Bar Organic Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 63%

Purchased @: Boehms Chocolates

Theo Rating: 7 - "I liked the flavor, but did find this chocolate a little grainy and not as good as some others we have tasted."

Broma Rating: 6 - "The Bee Pollen combination introduces a very interesting experience in this Dark Choc. Unfortunately, it wasn't as interesting as a blueberry or almond mixtures that have enhanced previous "combo" samples."

Dove Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: Dec 2010

Cocoa Content: 63%

Purchased @: Bartells

Theo Rating: 10 - "I found this dark chocolate exceedingly smooth and tasty! It should be our "gold" standard."

Broma Rating: 10 - "How could we not have evaluated this one sooner? Dove chocolate is the default "standard" and everything else should be compared to it. "Silky Smooth" it is!"

Bissinger's All Natural

Evaluation Date: November 2012

Cocoa Content: 75%

Purchased @: Boehms Chocolates

Theo Rating: 9 - "I liked the color, aroma, texture and taste. However, for a 10, it needed to be a tad sweeter for me."

Broma Rating: 9 - "We have evaluated another Bissinger's previously. I really like this sample and would say that this could be included in the list of top "after lunch" dark chocolates! Great flavor, good size, really nice packaging!"

RAPUNZEL Organic DARK

Evaluation Date: November 2010

Cocoa Content: 55%

Purchased @: QFC

Theo Rating: 9 - " I spotted this chocalate at QFC and was pleasantly surprised to find it was very smooth and not too sweet! For a Swiss chocolate, it's very nice! "

Broma Rating: 9 - "A fantastic sample - this is nearly a perfect dark chocolate!"

TAZA Stone Ground Organic

Evaluation Date: March 2012

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Chocolopolis (Seattle)

Theo Rating: 5 - "I'm not pleased with the graininess. It was a little better than the last TAZA we tried, in terms of sweetness and cocoa taste, but still tended to be on the grainy side."

Broma Rating: 4 - "Again, I'm just not a fan of the TAZA brand dark choc. This one has a good cocoa flavor and sweetness level, but that 'gritty' texture is too overwhelming to make it enjoyable."

Trader Joe's - Fair Trade - Swiss Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: July 2010

Cocoa Content: 71%

Purchased @: Trader Joe's

Theo Rating: 7 - "This one reminded me a little of milk chocolate, but it was pretty good and smooth!"

Broma Rating: 8 - "I like this one! Very smooth with plenty of dark choc taste! I'm giving it an "8"."

HACHEZ Manufaktur-Chocolade selt 1890

Evaluation Date: October 2015

Cocoa Content: 77%

Purchased @: Germany

Theo Rating: 8 -  "I do like this chocolate. But, I still have to rest on the fact that I like pure dark chocolate. I'll give it an 8."

Broma Rating: 8 - "A very, very interesting sample! This is the first and only darkchoc I've ever tasted that contains Mango and Chili aroma and taste! It is very pleasing and I think I could really get used to this, if it wasn't all the way from Germany."

Safeway SELECT Extra Dark Chocolate with Cranberry & Orange

Evaluation Date: January 2012

Cocoa Content: 72%

Purchased @: Safeway

Theo Rating: 7 - "I agree. This sample was a little too "fruity" for good dark chocolate."

Broma Rating: 8 - "Though this is very, very good, I'm rating it one notch lower than the blueberry sample. They are both good, I prefer the other."

Lillie Belle Farms

Evaluation Date: November 2012

Cocoa Content: 74%

Purchased @: PCC

Theo Rating: 7 - "The appearance, aroma and texture were all good for this sample, but I found the dark chocolate taste and the sweetness were below what I prefer."

Broma Rating: 7 - "I like the cocoa content of the sample, but I'm not happy with the fruity taste that is so prevalent. Something about the combination of the Venezuelan and Dominican Republic cocoa beans has introduce this interesting, but not pleasing flavor."

HERSHEY'S SPECIAL Dark

Evaluation Date: August 2011

Cocoa Content: 45%

Purchased @: "just about anywhere"

Theo Rating: 8 - "I found this to be a good, basic dark chocolate. Since it is widely available, it's a good choice when the more exotic varieties are hard to find."

Broma Rating: 8 - "Agreed. This is a very "stand by" good dark choc that always delivers, is easily found and fills the need for a dark chocolate snack!."

ORIGINAL LILY'S Dark Chocolate

Evaluation Date: April 2012

Cocoa Content: 55%

Purchased @: Issaquah PCC

Theo Rating: 4 - "The aroma was good, but the dark chocolate taste was not strong enough. The Stevia sweetner was good, but not the same as cane sugar. If the cocoa content were higher, this could be a better bar."

Broma Rating: 5 - "Two factors stand in the way of a higher rating for Lily's. (1) the cocoa content is so low that it is nearly lost (2) the Stevia sweetener is more demanding of attention than is the cocoa level. ( do like the packaging, very much!)"

WHOLE FOODS Organic Tanzania Schoolhouse Project

Evaluation Date: Feb 2013

Cocoa Content: 72%

Purchased @: Whole Foods

Theo Rating: 10 - "Another excellent dark chocolate! I didn't enjoy it quite as much as a previous Whole Foods sample, but it was almost as good."

Broma Rating: 10 - "Yes, this is an organic bean source, but with only one percentile difference in cocoa content, you wouldn't expect there to be much of a difference between this and the previous Whole Foods sample. And there isn't!! They are both a "10"."

endangered species Chocolate natural DARK

Evaluation Date: May 2012

Cocoa Content: 72%

Purchased @: Charleston

Theo Rating: 8 - "Excellent dark chocolate, but I would have liked it to be a little sweeter."

Broma Rating: 9 - "Noting that we have evaluated another "Endangered" sample, I like this 72% even better. This is a great example of a higher percentage "dark" that can still satisfy and achieve a high rating in this evaluation."

B.T. McElrath Chocolatier Dark Chocolate Bar

Evaluation Date: January 2014

Cocoa Content: 70%

Purchased @: Shoqualmie Lodge

Theo Rating: 8 - "This chocolate was little “off.” I also would have liked a little smoother consistency and a little sweeter taste."

Broma Rating: 8 - "It is very interesting that another McElrath bar was the 2nd evaluation that we did! It was hybrid bar (with Sea Salt) that did not score well. This sample is a very nice dark chocolate that I can highly recommend! I gave it an "8" only because if had a slight "burnt" flavor."