Chapter Thirty-Five: Leonidas 70% Dark

The bar we are reviewing this week went missing! It was mailed to us from a dear friend of ours and did not arrive for weeks. As time passed we grew a little concerned. Did the postman steal this for his own enjoyment? Did someone commit a felony and break into our mailbox to deliver this bar to their beloved? Finally, it arrived (three weeks late) and we, as always, were more than glad to tuck in. Please pardon the appearance of this bar and packaging because it was dropped a few times and did sustain some damage; but that's not why we are here! It's the taste that we are after.

Leonidas is a Belgian chocolate company with a long history that began in 1913 with Leonidas Kestekides. In 1910, he competed in the Brussels World Exhibition, submitting his chocolate and winning the bronze medal for Greece. He continued to make chocolate and formally founded Leonidas in 1913 with his nephew.  Today, they have locations worldwide that still receive their stock from the original location in Brussels.  Leonidas' fine chocolates have a large celebrity following and also boast to have a "wicked" hot chocolate that we hope to one day get our hands on!  

Tasting No. :33
Leonidas 70% Dark

Initial Impressions:

In terms of color, the Leonidas bar is lighter than the base bar, almost chalky is some areas. We found the snap to be satisfying and without much struggle; it can best be described as firm yet pliable.  The aroma is rather spicy, evoking notes of cinnamon. The bite is extremely firm, more firm than the base bar.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – chili

Middle – vanilla, caramel
After – spicy, earthy

Texture:
We did not quite care for the texture of this bar. It is dry and crumbly. Even after we worked on it for a while, it was apparent that the chocolate stays dry.

Overall:
What was most noticeable to us when tasting this bar is that we found it difficult to draw the flavors out. It felt like we needed to suck on it for quite a while before the flavor emerged. A hot drink such as tea or coffee might be a good pairing for this chocolate to help bring out the flavor notes.

Rating: 5 /10

*Notes:

Available on the Leonidas website

Price range: 12 bars for $38

Next week we will be sampling another bar from Taza. Be still, my beating heart!

For now savor: “Chocolate is medicinal. I just did another study that confirms it.” ― Michelle M. Pillow

Remember, fairly traded chocolate is a responsible way to support farmers by ensuring that the chocolate that you consume has been bought for a fair price. By choosing to purchase fair trade chocolate, you can honor the cocoa tree growers and support their way of life which in turn leads to better chocolate.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Trader Joe's 72% Belgian Dark

This is yet another bar from our Trader Joe’s shopping spree; we promise we’re almost finished with the tastings!  Trader Joe’s 72% Cacao Belgian Dark Chocolate Bar is fair trade and organic, but not single origin.  It is made in Belgium.  The first thing that drew us to this bar was the fact that it only had three ingredients (all organic): cocoa mass, cane sugar, and cocoa butter.

Tasting No. :20 

Trader Joe’s 72% Cacao Belgian Dark Chocolate

Initial Impressions:

This bar has a much stronger scent than the base bar and reminds us of burnt coffee.  It is also much darker brown in color.  The snap is soft in comparison; the bite is even softer.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – Coffee, Smoke

Middle – Walnut

After – Cooked vegetation

Texture:

Smooth, velvety texture

Overall:

This bar was quite acidic and intense, while the base bar is much drier.  We like that it only has three ingredients and is far better than other Trader Joe's bars we have tried, however, we wouldn’t buy it for ourselves again.  We agree that it tastes like a quality bar but we don’t necessarily care for the flavors or high acidity.

Rating: 5/10

*Notes:

Purchased at Trader Joe’s

Price range under $3

Join us next week for our review on a Ghana single origin bar.

For now savor: "As with most fine things, chocolate has its season. There is a simple memory aid that you can use to determine whether it is the correct time to order chocolate dishes: any month whose name contains the letter A, E, or U is the proper time for chocolate." - Sandra Boynton

Remember, fairly traded chocolate is a responsible way to support farmers by ensuring that the chocolate that you consume has been bought for a fair price.  By choosing to purchase fair trade chocolate, you can honor the cocoa tree growers and support their way of life which in turn leads to better chocolate.

Chapter Eleven: Trader Joe's Cacao Dark

What’s not to love about Trader Joe’s, they have all the basics: wine, cheese, and of course, chocolate!  We were lucky enough to receive the Trader Joe’s 72% Cacao Dark chocolate bar for free from a lovely cashier who wanted to support our bar hopping, she said it was a favorite amongst chocolate loving patrons.  This bar typically comes in a pack of three, making it even more of a sweet deal.

Tasting No.: 9

Trader Joe’s 72% Cacao Dark

Initial Impressions:

The bar is almost the same shade as the base bar, only slightly more brown.  The snap is firm, and the chocolate becomes chalky looking at the breakpoint.  The scent is an intense chocolate when compared with the much milder aroma of the base bar.

Flavor Profile:

Initial – hazelnut, walnut

Middle – tobacco

After – soil, truffles

Texture:

This bar was surprisingly rich in flavor, moving from nutty to vegetative ending on earthy notes.  However, despite its robust flavor profile, there’s undeniable chalkiness that makes for a very dry bar when contrasted with the creamy texture of our base bar.

Overall:

Considering the price and quality of this bar, we would probably repurchase it when a chocolate craving strikes.  This isn’t a gourmet bar, but could be a good grab and go option that doesn’t break the bank.

Rating: 7/10

*Notes:

Purchased at Trader Joe’s

Price range under $2

This is a sturdy little bar that you can slip into your purse or keep in your desk drawer for a little nip.

Next week we’ll be tasting our first filled bar, this one with caramel and black salt.  See you then!  

For now savor: “Seven days without chocolate makes one weak.” – author unknown