Produced by: Endangered Species Chocolate
Cocoa content: 72%
Manufacturer website
Rating: A

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently took a trip to Whole Foods and came home with a handful of dark chocolate bars. Tonight's selection is the Supreme Dark Chocolate from Endangered Species Chocolate. My personal preference for dark chocolate is a cocoa percentage in the high 60's to low 70's, and the Supreme Dark falls right in this range at 72%.

The Endangered Species Supreme Dark Chocolate has a rich chocolate flavor. There are roasted notes on the palate reminiscent of roasted peanuts. There is some noticeable bitterness that is well-balanced with the chocolate and roasted notes. There is a faint hint of acidity as well. This chocolate bar has a fairly smooth texture as it melts on the tongue, but with some slight grittiness. The finish is fairly long with some peanut butter notes blended with a touch of bitterness.

This is a well-balanced dark chocolate with some great flavor. I couldn't help but sneak a few extra pieces as I was writing these tasting notes. Highly recommended.

Produced by: Green & Black's Chocolate Limited
Cocoa content: 70%
Manufacturer website
Rating: B

I recently made a trip to Whole Foods and came home with a selection of chocolate bars that I am excited to review here. First up is Green and Black's Dark 70%. While their chocolates are relatively easy to find, for one reason or another I have yet to try anything from Green & Blacks until now.

The Dark 70% is a smooth melting chocolate on the tongue with a soft, creamy texture. The dominant flavor of this chocolate is a tart fruitiness, reminding me very strongly of fried plantains. There are also notes of cherry and lemonade. In addition, I pick up a faint background note of roast coffee bitterness that lingers as some of the acidity fades.

The biggest shortcoming for this chocolate bar is that for all the unique flavors on the palate, it seemed like the actual chocolate flavor was hidden. Regardless, the Green and Black's Dark 70% was an interesting chocolate that I enjoyed quite a bit.

Produced by: Alfred Ritter GMBH & Co
Cocoa content: 71%
Manufacturer website
Rating: B+

I've been familiar with Ritter Sport mainly from their various filled milk chocolate bars. It wasn't until recently that I discovered they also make dark chocolates. I've had some good experience with Ritter Sport's milk chocolates, so I was curious to give the dark chocolate a try.

The Ritter Sport Fine Extra Dark Chocolate has a rich, deep chocolate flavor. There are some roasted notes and very slight bitterness. I can also detect a faint hint of citrus, although there is little acidity to note. This chocolate does seem to taste sweeter than I would expect from a chocolate with a 71% cocoa content. Chewing the chocolate bar brings a sweet coconut flavor to the forefront.

The Ritter Sport has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. There is a moderate-length finish that is creamy and chocolaty. The Ritter Sport is a bit of a one-trick pony, but it does that trick rather well. This has a straight-ahead chocolate flavor that anyone who has ever snacked on a handful of chocolate chips can appreciate.

Distributed by: Mars Snackfood US
Cocoa content: Unknown (reportedly 50-60% per one source)
Manufacturer website
Rating: C+

I'm working late tonight, so today's tasting will be family-friendly. The hospital gift shop doesn't have a huge selection, and I settled on this chocolate bar as one of the few intriguing options. This is the small single bar that has no "% Cacao" designation, although Dove does make some bars with a designated Cacao percentage.

True to its billing, and typical of most Dove chocolate, this chocolate is velvety smooth as it melts on the tongue. The flavor at first reminds me of a cup of hot chocolate. There is quite a bit of sweetness, like a marshmallow dipped in cocoa. There is a fleeting hint of some roasted flavor, but otherwise there isn't much going on here. There is virtually no bitterness or acidity to note. It seems like any potential complex chocolate flavors have been drowned out by the sweetness.

To be fair, this chocolate bar is in no way marketed to the connoiseur. Most people who enjoy milk chocolate should enjoy this bar, and will enjoy the health benefits that are attributed to dark chocolate as well.