Introduction to the Best of Craft Chocolate: Curated Paired Tastings

By Evelyn Reilly · 11 chocolates

Highlights from different makers, regions, and styles, with a specific emphasis on tasting comparisons across these aspects (for example, two difference origins made by the same maker; same origin made by two different makers, etc.). This list thus not only highlights some of the best chocolate available, but curates opportunities to develop your palette with specific contrasts.

  1. Dick Taylor Tanzania 65% — craft chocolate made with Tanzania cacao Dick Taylor Tanzania 65% Dick Taylor · Tanzania $10.00

    My all-time favorite bar. Perfect texture. Beautiful expression of flavor. Doesn't get any better than this.

  2. Dick Taylor Belize Toledo 72% — craft chocolate made with Belize cacao Dick Taylor Belize Toledo 72% Dick Taylor · Belize $10.00

    Another of my favorites from Dick Taylor - try this side-by-side with the Tanzania bar to focus on the differences in the beans themselves, both expertly handled by the same maker.

  3. Ritual Belize 75% by Ritual Chocolate — craft chocolate made with Belize cacao Ritual Belize 75% Ritual Chocolate · Belize $12.25

    Compare this with Dick Taylor Belize 72%

  4. Fruition Colombia Tumaco Dark 85% — craft chocolate made with Colombia cacao Fruition Colombia Tumaco Dark 85% Fruition · Colombia International Chocolate Awards score: 88.9/100 $14.00
  5. Raaka Pink Sea Salt 71% — craft chocolate made with Blend cacao Raaka Pink Sea Salt 71% Raaka · Blend $7.25

    This is a unique bar in that the cacao is not roasted! Compare this with Dominican Republic bars to see how roasting changes the flavor.

  6. Friis Holm Dark Chuno Double Turned, Nicaragua 70% — craft chocolate made with Nicaragua cacao Friis Holm Dark Chuno Double Turned, Nicaragua 70% Friis Holm · Nicaragua International Chocolate Awards score: 90.1/100 $21.00

    It is rare to find bars that feature differences in cacao bean fermentation - this maker offers that! Compare with the Friis Holm Dark Chuno Triple Turned to see how fermentation alters final flavor.

  7. Friis-Holm Dark Chuno Triple Turned 70% by Friis Holm — craft chocolate made with Nicaragua cacao Friis-Holm Dark Chuno Triple Turned 70% Friis Holm · Nicaragua International Chocolate Awards score: 89.7/100 $21.00

    It is rare to find bars that feature differences in cacao bean fermentation - this maker offers that! Compare with the Friis Holm Dark Chuno Double Turned to see how fermentation alters final flavor.

  8. Soma Pompona Vanilla White Chocolate — craft chocolate made with Blend cacao Soma Pompona Vanilla White Chocolate Soma · Blend $18.00

    White chocolate differs from dark & milk because it contains just the cocoa butter, not the cacao solids (which give the "chocolate" flavor), along with sugar, milk powder, and vanilla. This excellent bar highlights the beautiful texture of cocoa butter - compare with Fruition Toasted White.

  9. Fruition Vanilla Bean Toasted White 38% — craft chocolate made with Dominican Republic cacao Fruition Vanilla Bean Toasted White 38% Fruition · Dominican Republic International Chocolate Awards score: 88.1/100 $16.00
  10. Goodnow Farms Asochivite 77% — craft chocolate made with Guatemala cacao Goodnow Farms Asochivite 77% Goodnow Farms · Guatemala International Chocolate Awards score: 89.7/100 $19.00

    One of my favorite origins from one of my favorite makers. Compare this excellent bar with another lovely example of Guatemalan cacao, the Fresco Polochic Valley Light Roast 70%

  11. Fresco Polochic Valley Light Roast 70% — craft chocolate made with Guatemala cacao Fresco Polochic Valley Light Roast 70% Fresco · Guatemala International Chocolate Awards score: 88.1/100 $13.50

    Compare this bar with Goodnow Farms Guatemala Asochivite 77%. Note the different percentages and different maker styles; both of which make excellent use of Guatemalan cacao.

Read this list on Bar & Cocoa →