The conclusion to my Chocolates Direct single origin cocoa bars sees me today take a look at their dark chocolate selection, like yesterday I have three bars that increase in the amount of cocoa solids they use as I go on. The bars again all look identical with it really only being the sticker on the front to tell them apart, well that and the chocolate itself of course.

52% Ecuador Dark Chocolate Bar

Dark chocolate bar made with cocoa beans from Ecuador. Using 52% cocoa solids. The cocoa beans from Ecuador produce a dark velvety well rounded dark chocolate. 52% is a percentage I can handle fairly well these days, this is more plain chocolate than dark, just slightly crossing the boundaries from milk, and hence it retains some of the sweetness but with the dark chocolate taste. This for me is how I like my dark chocolate, all the flavour with none of the bitterness.

71% Santa Domingo Dark Chocolate Bar

Dark chocolate bar made with cocoa beans from Santa Domingo. Using 71% cocoa solids. Cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic give this chocolate a rich earthy flavour. Now we’re getting dark, the extra 19% makes this bar significantly stronger in taste, the bar no longer has anything sweet about it, this is dark chocolate baby and if you don’t like it then you’re certainly not gonna like what’s coming next.

85% Ghana Dark Chocolate Bar

Dark chocolate bar made with cocoa beans from Ghana. Using 85% cocoa solids. Cocoa beans from Ghana give this strong chocolate a rich spicy and earthy flavour. 85%…oh my. This is strong, very strong, very bitter, very deep. Another 5% or so and you’ll have yourself some cooking chocolate, I was surprised at how much I liked this actually, it’s got the flavour and yet…it’s still somehow just a little sweet, it seems well crafted, a deep flavour without the almost…sour taste that I was expecting.

Overall, a good selection. I would recommend buying one of the gift boxes they have, or some sort of selection box rather than the bars individually, as I don’t think they’re worth it like that. If you like good quality, plain, simple chocolate, you should love these. These give you a taste of chocolate from 6 different countries, from creamy milk chocolate to rich dark chocolate.