Here are some notes from our chocolate tasting … I think that this much strong chocolate in one tasting is over-the-top. So much so that Himself has suggested that the next tasting be milk chocolate.
Lidl 81%
Notes from J.D. Grosse: Ecuador Arriba cocoa beans harvested near Rio Esmeralda gives the chocolate hints of the fruity volcanic soil.
Smell: Smells mildly sweet and fresh like dewy grass.
Look: of the three bars, this one wins the presentation prize. This 100g bar comes in a front opening pouch style box, large chocolate squares with a dark brown glossy finish.
Snap: very hard snap probably because the squares are thicker than Lindt or Baratti e Milano.
Taste: mildly bitter strong chocolatey taste, hint of toast, light fruits like apple, no strong flavours to excite the palate. If anything this tastes chemically (?). I used the remainder of the bar to make dark chocolate and ginger cookies.
Texture: smooth but thick and pasty. This texture is the same as many other dark LIDL bars.
Would I buy it again? For cooking maybe, but for eating on its own no
Source: LIDL (€1.87)
Lindt 85%Notes from Lindt: “…strong aroma full bodied cocoa taste which is perfectly balanced , being neither bitter nor overpowering”.
Smell: bitter acidic
Look: Lighter in color, satin finish
Snap: crisp and sharp
Taste: surprisingly sweet (this must come from the added demerara sugar) with floral notes at first. As the taste develops, it becomes darker, tanic. The smell didn’t prepare me for this pleasant taste. Chocolate is light nearly airy which comes from the addition of cocoa powder.
Texture: slightly drying but it is 85% so this is acceptable. Long deep flavoured length.
Would I buy it again? Yes
Source: Tesco (€2.02)
Baratti e Milano 88%Notes: after some googling, I discovered that these Italian chocolatiers hail from Turin and have a renowned cafe there.
Smell: this bar smells totally different to the others, bitter with fresh primroses/floral notes but no hint of sweetness at all.
Look: reddish brown in color, satin finish with small squares
Snap: crisp snap
Taste: this is a dry bitter chocolate, subtly floral at first. As the flavor develops, I can get tobacco and roasted nuts. It is a long lasting flavor with descends into petrol notes in the aftertaste.
Texture: texture is crumbly at first but comes together after a few seconds melting. This has the most pleasant texture of all bars, creamy and smooth.
Would I buy it again? No
Source: Harvey Nichols (€4.75)
