August 26, 2016

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."

August 19, 2016

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."

August 12, 2016

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."

August 5, 2016

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."

July 22, 2016

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" "

July 8, 2016

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!"

July 1, 2016

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."

June 24, 2016

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" "

June 17, 2016

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."

June 10, 2016

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!"

June 3, 2016

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."

May 20, 2016

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" "

May 13, 2016

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!."

May 6, 2016

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!)"

April 30, 2016

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."

April 22, 2016

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" !"

April 17, 2016

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])"

April 8, 2016

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."

April 1, 2016

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!"

March 25, 2016

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!"