Today we are tasting a chocolate that is a bit more accessible than most of the others we typically review here on The Dark Chocolate Blog. Today we have the Godiva Solid Dark Chocolate bar. This is the 1.5 ounce bar you typically find at the cash register in book stores and the like. There is no cocoa percentage listed on the package. The bar itself has four rather thick squares embossed with a "G", and is nicely textured with crisp embossing. The bar is a deep mahogany/rosewood color. The snap is notably soft, especially for such a thick bar. The nose has a distinct coconut aroma.

On the palate there is a dominant, very sweet coconut flavor that really buries the chocolate flavor on this bar. There are some notes of chocolate milk and caramel, and loads of sweetness. Chewing the Godiva Solid Dark Chocolate hints at nuts and cedar before another big wave of coconut rolls in. The finish is overly sweet with notes of coconut milk and caramel.

I’ve had several good chocolates from Godiva before, so I was surprised at just how bad this chocolate was. The Solid Dark Chocolate bar was sickly sweet with overpowering coconut flavors, and not much chocolate flavor to speak of. Stay away from this one.

Manufacturer: Godiva
Cocoa Content: 85%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: A-

Next up from Godiva is a single-source chocolate bar from Santo Domingo. This 85% Extra Dark chocolate is ebony in color. The bar has a bitter kick up front, but the bitterness is not too overpowering. There is a moderate, well-balanced amount of acidity. This bar has a rich chocolate flavor with a wealth of complex undertones. Notes of hazelnuts, peanuts and espresso are present. There are earthy notes of tobacco, ash and leather. In addition, there are fruity notes of cherry and blackberry as well as a faint citrus note. Chewing the bar enphasizes the fruitiness with powerful notes of cherries and raspberries. The finish has lingering bitterness with peanut butter and espresso notes. The Godiva 85% Santo Domingo has a smooth, thick, mouth-coating texture.

The 85% Extra Dark Santo Domingo from Godiva has some deep chocolate flavor with some nice complexity. Although I still prefer chocolates in the 70% cocoa range, I have developed a significant appreciation for the complexity that opens up at the 85% level. Godiva has a real winner on their hands with this 85% cocoa bar. This one is highly recommended to my fellow dark chocoholics.

Manufacturer: Godiva Chocolatier
Cocoa Content: 72%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B

Up for review today is a 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate bar from Godiva. This is a thin bar that is dark purplish-brown in color. The pieces break off with a crisp snap. The bar has a rich, chocolate flavor. It seems rather sweet for a 72% cocoa bar. There is only a faint acidity and minimal bitterness. There are notes of peanuts, honey and lemonade. Chewing the bar brings forward notes of vanilla, cocoa and almonds. The finish is remiscent of hot cocoa. The Godiva 72% bar has a smooth, mouth-coating texture.

The Godiva 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar has a powerful chocolate flavor and seems more sweet than bitter for a chocolate at 72% cocoa. The flavor is pretty straightforward, but it is quite enjoyable nonetheless. It would make a great beginner dark chocolate for someone who isn't into the bitterness of very dark chocolate.