Review: Meadowlands Wild Harvest Bolivia

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Meadowlands bar Wild Harvest Bolivia region Bolivia plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 71g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $9.50

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles aroma roast, floral (lavender, jasmine), fruit, earth snap hard taste earth, spice (anise), fruit (date), sesame, roast (smoke, tea), nut, tannin, sweet melt smooth length medium finish tannin, somewhat acidic

This is the fourth Meadowlands unflavored single origin chocolate bar we've reviewed. You can read reviews of their other three bars here: Dominican Republic, Peru, and Venezuela.

As with the others, the only ingredients in Wild Harvest Bolivia were 70% cacao beans and 30% cane sugar.

Inside a pink paper sleeve, the 2.5 ounce Bolivia bar came wrapped in gold foil-sided waxed paper. It was scored into 24 pieces.

The surface of the chocolate was smooth, with an uneven sheen and tiny bubbles in some corners. Its color was a medium-dark brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015). The bar had a hard snap.

The aroma was strongly floral, with scents of both lavender and jasmine. I also smelled roast, fruit, and earth.

After an initial earthy and tannin start to the taste, spices came forth, with a particularly strong anise flavor. Several other flavors developed as well: fruit, primarily date, sesame, roast with smoke and tea, and some nuttiness. It also tasted sweet and the tannin was evident throughout.

Meadowlands described Venezuela as "hints of lavender, toasted sesame & dates".

Wild Harvest Bolivia had a smooth melt, with a bit of fudginess. The chocolate flavor lasted 35 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a length on the far end of medium. The finish was tannin and somewhat acidic.

Best Prices Online
$9.50 directly from Meadowlands
$45.00 for five-pack from Chocolate.org

Sale: 20% off at NewLeaf

NewLeaf Chocolates is having a 20% off sale on everything in their online store. NewLeaf carries Amano, Amedei, Blanxart, Domori, Grenada, Kallari, Madecasse, Omnom, Original Beans, Pacari, Pralus, Taza, Theo, and Zotter.

The sale is "while supplies last" through June 4th, so shop early for a better selection.

Use coupon code SPRING20 during checkout.

Sale: 20% off Taza

Taza is having a 20% off sale on all of their origin bars (Belize 77%, Bolivia 87%, Dominican Republic 80%, Dominican Republic 70%, Dominican Republic 60%, and Haiti 84%) through May 6th at 3 p.m. ET. Free shipping is also available in April for orders of $75 or more.

Review: Meadowlands Venezuela

Richard's Rating: 5.5

chocolate maker Meadowlands bar Venezuela region Venezuela plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 71g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $9.50

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1015 Bracken appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, scuffing, bubbles aroma roast (coffee), earth, fruit (prune) snap hard taste roast (coffee, cocoa), earth, fruit (raisin, plum, berry), peanut, sweet, bitter, slightly chalky melt smooth length medium finish bitter, slightly acidic

Meadowlands makes four unflavored single origin chocolate bars: Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Peru, and Venezuela. All of them are made from only cacao beans and cane sugar.

Venezuela came wrapped in gold foil-sided waxed paper inside a purple paper sleeve. The 2.5 ounce bar contained 70% cocoa solids and had a best before date of April 4, 2016.

The bar was scored into 24 pieces. The surface was smooth, but had an uneven sheen, scuffing, and some bubbles. The chocolate had a medium brown Bracken (PANTONE 19-1015) color. The bar had a hard snap.

Fruit, mostly smelling of prune, a coffee roast, and earth were the strongest scents I noticed in the aroma.

The taste began with an earthy coffee and cocoa roast, and then fruit flavors of raisin, plum, and berry came forth. Peanut grew dominant and was present most of the time. The taste was also sweet, bitter, and slightly chalky at the end.

Meadowlands described Venezuela as "nutty overtones, hints of raisin and dried cranberry".

The chocolate had a smooth melt. The length was medium, with the chocolate flavor lasting about 25 to 30 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The final aftertaste was bitter and slightly acidic.

Best Prices Online
$9.50 directly from Meadowlands
$45.00 for five-pack from Chocolate.org

Review: Meadowlands Peru

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Meadowlands bar Peru region Peru plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 71g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $9.50

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, scuffing, adhered bits aroma floral, fruit (citrus), earth snap hard taste floral, earth, roast (cocoa, malt), fruit, sweet (caramel), nut, coconut, chalky melt less smooth length medium finish tannin, somewhat chalky, somewhat acidic

Even though their bars are not certified, Minnesota maker Meadowlands uses organic and fair trade cacao. They craft their pure chocolate bars from only cacao beans and cane sugar.

Wrapped with gold foil-sided waxed paper inside a paper sleeve, the 2.5 ounce Peru bar contained 70% cacao beans and 30% cane sugar.

The bar was scored into 24 pieces. The surface was smooth, but had an uneven sheen, scuffing, a small dent, and a few adhered bits.

The color of the chocolate was a medium-dark brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012). The snap was hard.

The aroma contained floral, fruit, and earth scents. I smelled some citrus among the fruit scents.

An initial floral, fruity, earthy taste became sweet with honey and caramel. Roast flavors of cocoa and malt grew stronger, and revealed additional nut and coconut flavors. The taste was somewhat chalky.

Meadowlands described the chocolate as "light & delicate, hints of peach & coconut". I didn't notice the peach flavor.

The melt was less smooth, and with one taste I noticed a bit of graininess. The chocolate flavor lasted about 30 to 40 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a medium length. The final aftertaste was tannin, somewhat chalky, and somewhat acidic.

Best Prices Online
$9.50 directly from Meadowlands
$45.00 for five-pack from Chocolate.org

Good Food Awards for Chocolate 2016

The Good Food Awards published their winners for 2015. The following unflavored bars won awards in the chocolate category:

Brasstown Ecuador 75%
Dick Taylor Bolivia Alto Beni 70%
Escazú Piura Blanco, Peru 70%
Fruition Bolivian Wild Harvest 74%
Just Good Madagascar 70%
Lonohana Estate Kanahiku 70%
Ritual Mid-Mountain Blend
Ritual Belize 75%
Rogue Jamaica
Rogue Tranquilidad

Review: Meadowlands Dominican Republic

Richard's Rating: 6.5

chocolate maker Meadowlands bar Dominican Republic region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 71g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $9.50

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, scuffing, adhered bits, bubbles aroma roast, fruit (berry), earth (must) snap medium hard taste earth (soil), fruit (blueberry, citrus, date), roast (burnt), nut, spice, sweet (molasses), tannin, bitter melt smooth (fudgy) length long finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Clyo Howard and Beryl Wells Hamilton having been crafting bean to bar chocolate as Meadowlands in the city of the same name in Minnesota since 2013. All of their chocolate is made with organic, fair trade cacao beans that are grown sustainably and harvested ethically.

Along with all of their other unflavored 70% single origin chocolates, the Dominican Republic bar was made from nothing other than 70% cacao beans and 30% cane sugar. The bar was not certified organic or fair trade.

The 2.5 ounce bar came wrapped in gold foil-sided waxed paper inside a paper sleeve. It was scored into 24 pieces.

The surface of the chocolate was smooth, but had an uneven sheen, scuffing, a few adhered bits, and some very tiny bubbles in the corners of the pieces.

Dominican Republic had a medium brown Dark Brown (PANTONE 19-1012) color. The bar had a medium hard snap.

Scents of roast, fruit, and earth were present. The fruit scent included berry and the earthiness smelled musty.

The taste began with a earthy soil flavor until the fruit, roast, nut, and spice came forth. I tasted fruit flavors of blueberry, citrus, and date. The roast seemed slightly burnt. A molasses sweetness was evident. The taste was also tannin and bitter.

The melt was smooth, but quite fudgy. The length was long, with the chocolate flavor lasting 50-55 seconds after the chocolate was gone. The finish was tannin and somewhat acidic.

I liked the interesting combination of flavors, but found the fudgy melt undesirable. Overall, it was a solid chocolate among single origin Dominican Republic bars.

Best Prices Online
$9.50 directly from Meadowlands
$45.00 for five-pack from Chocolate.org

Sale: 20% off Fresco

Through December 10th, Fresco is having a 20% off sale sitewide if you purchase at least $50.

Enter SANTA in the "Discount" field during checkout and click the Apply button to receive the 20% discount.

Free shipping for orders of at least $50 for delivery to the United States. International shipping is available.

Sale: 25% off Raaka

Raaka is running a 25% off sitewide Cyber Monday sale today.

Enter CHOCO25 in the "Discount" field during checkout and click the Apply button to receive the 25% discount.

A fantastic deal is to choose a mixed case of a dozen bars of your choice (to receive 25% case discount) and then apply CHOCO25 for additional 25% discount. You get 12 bars for only $52.46!

Free shipping for delivery to the United States with orders over $50 ($5.80 otherwise). International shipping is $20.

Sale: 20% off Taza

Taza is running their annual Cyber Monday sale with 20% off everything in their online store today and tomorrow.

Enter CYBER20 in the "Gift card or discount code" field during checkout and click the Apply button to apply the 20% discount.

Now is the time to take advantage of Taza's best deal of the year. The sale ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, November 30th.

Unfortunately, Taza no longer ships outside the United States. Additional shipping information can be found here.

Review: Ethereal Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Ethereal bar Madagascar region Madagascar plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 64g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 80% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $7.50

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits, bubbles aroma earth (hay), roast (smoke), fruit (raisin, coconut), spice snap medium hard taste fruit (citrus, plum, lime, blueberry), earth, roast (cocoa, smoke), sweet, tannin melt less smooth length short finish somewhat acidic, somewhat tannin

Mary and Sara Ervin have been crafting hand-made organic chocolate confections and bean to bar chocolate in Woodstock, Illinois, as Ethereal Confections since 2011.

Ethereal's Madagascar chocolate bar was made from all organic ingredients: cacao beans, cane sugar, and cocoa butter. Cocoa solids (cacao beans and cocoa butter) made up 80%, with the remaining 20% being cane sugar.

Inside a thick paper wrap that was sealed with the label, the 2.25 ounce bar came wrapped in pink colored foil . The label also adhered to the foil wrapping along the bottom edge, which made removing the chocolate without breaking the bar a bit challenging. The best before date was September 28, 2017.

The bar was scored into 24 pieces. The chocolate had a smooth surface, with an uneven sheen, some adhered bits, and a few bubbles. The underside was shaped with a thin protruding edge. The chocolate had a medium brown Fudgesickle (PANTONE 19-1431) color.

Madagascar had a medium hard snap. The aroma revealed scents of earth, and hay in particular, a smoky roast, fruit, and spice. The fruit scent included raisin and coconut.

The chocolate tasted primarily of fruit, with flavors of citrus, plum, lime and blueberry. In addition, I tasted earth, a cocoa and smoky roast, and sweetness. Some tannin was also present.

The melt had a less smooth texture, but no graininess. The chocolate flavor lasted about 15 to 20 seconds after the chocolate was gone, giving a short length. The finish was somewhat acidic and somewhat tannin.

Overall, a good chocolate with delicious fruit flavors. For me, the texture needs improvement, but if you enjoy Madagascar interpretations with this flavor profile, give this chocolate a try.

Best Prices Online
$7.50 directly from Ethereal
$7.50 from Chocolate.org
$7.50 from Chocosphere

Review: Dandelion Butuo, Liberia

Richard's Rating: 6.0

chocolate maker Dandelion bar Butuo, Liberia region Liberia plantation blend cacao trees unknown year 2014 size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $10.00

color medium-dark brown appearance smooth, scoring, imprints aroma earth, roast, spice snap hard taste earth, roast (smoke, cocoa), fruit (fig), spice (cinnamon), sweet (caramel), bitter melt smooth length short finish bitter, somewhat acidic, slightly ashy

Best Prices Online
$10.00 directly from Dandelion (sold out)
$13.00 from The Meadow

Review: Bar au Chocolat Sambirano Valley, Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Sambirano Valley, Madagascar region Madagascar plantation blend cacao trees Trinitario year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, scuffing, adhered bits aroma roast (cocoa), fruit (citrus, cherry), earth (grass) snap medium hard taste fruit (citrus, grapefruit, cherry), earth (burlap), sweet (caramel), roast (cocoa), sour melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

Review: Ritual Madagascar

Richard's Rating: 7.5

chocolate maker Ritual bar Madagascar region Madagascar plantation Somia cacao trees unknown year unknown size 43g ~ 1.5oz cocoa solids 75% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $6.75

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, somewhat glossy aroma fruit (citrus, berry), earth snap hard taste earth, fruit (citrus, grapefruit), nut (walnut), roast (tea), sweet (brown sugar), acidic melt more smooth length medium finish somewhat acidic, slightly tannin

Best Prices Online
$6.49 from Caputo's
$6.75 directly from Ritual
$7.00 from Chocolopolis
$7.00 from The Meadow

Review: Bar au Chocolat Duarte Province, Dominican Republic

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Duarte Province, Dominican Republic region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees Trinitario year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1012 Dark Brown appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, adhered bits, bubbles aroma roast (cocoa), fruit (berry, prune, orange), spice, earth (hay) snap medium hard taste earth, roast (tea), fruit (blackberry, orange, prune, date), sweet, tannin, acidic, sour melt smooth length medium finish tannin, somewhat acidic

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

International Chocolate Awards 2015

Today the International Chocolate Awards announced the 2015 world winners.

WORLD WINNERS

Best In Competition
Rogue Porcelana

Dark
GOLD: Rogue Porcelana
GOLD: SOMA Porcelana
SILVER: Bonnat Vale do Juliana
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) Chuno 70% Double Turned
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) Chuno 70% Triple Turned
SILVER: Marou Tien Giang 70%
SILVER: Pacari Lacumbia 70%
SILVER: Pacari Montubia 70%
SILVER: Pacari Raw 70%
SILVER: SOMA CSB Chama
BRONZE: Amano Chuao
BRONZE: Bonnat Haiti
BRONZE: Dick Taylor Madagascar Sambirano

High Percentage
GOLD: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) La Dalia 85%
SILVER: Friis-Holm (Bonnat) La Dalia 100%

Micro-batch Dark
GOLD: Cacao Hunters Arhuaco 72%
SILVER: Cacao Hunters Arauca 70%
SILVER: Duffy's Honduras Indio Rojo
SILVER: Hummingbird Hispaniola 70%
SILVER: Omnom Madgascar 66%
SILVER: Pump Street Bakery Grenada 70%
BRONZE: Pump Street Bakery Madagascar Criollo 74%

Alternative Sweetener Dark
BRONZE: Starchild Wild & Raw

Americas Finalists

Dark
Amano Chuao
Amano Dos Rios 70%
Amano Porcelana 70%
AMAZ Amazonas 67%
Cacaosuyo Piura Select
ChocXO Camino Verde Ecuador 72%
ChocXO Tres Rios Peru 68%
ChocXO Yaguachi 70%
Dick Taylor Dominican Finca Elvesia
Dick Taylor Madagascar Sambirano
Franceschi Canoabo 70% 2015
Franceschi Choroni 70% 2015
Franceschi Ocumare 70% 2015
Franceschi Rio Caribe 60% 2015
Franceschi Sur del Lago 60% 2015
Marou Lam Dong 74%
Marou Tien Giang 70%
Marou Treasure Island 75%
Pacari Esmeraldas 60%
Pacari Lacumbia 70%
Pacari Manabi 65%
Pacari Montubia 70%
Pacari Raw 70%
Pacari Tangara 70%
Ritual Mid Mountain Blend
Rogue Jamaica
Rogue Porcelana
Rogue Tranquilidad
SOMA Porcelana
SOMA CSB Chama
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 70% Single Estate
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 75% Single Estate
SPAGnVOLA Dominican Republic 80% Single Estate
TCHO Bright

High Percentage
Marou Tan Phu Dong 85% (Heart of Darkness)
Palette de Bine Camino Verde Ecuador 85%
Ritual Ecuador 85%

Micro-batch Dark
Brasstown Ecuador 75%
Cacao Hunters Arauca 70%
Cacao Hunters Arhuaco 72%
Cacao Hunters Sierra Nevada 64%
Cacao Hunters Tumaco 70%
Dandelion Oko-Caribe, Dominican Republic
Fresco 224 Dominican Republic 72%
Hummingbird Hispaniola 70%
Hummingbird Reserva Zorzal 70%
Madre Likao Kula Farm, Kona HI
Millcreek Cacao Roasters 70% Pure Dark
Palette de Bine Lam Dong Vietnam 72%
Sirene Guatemala 73%

Rough/Textured Dark
Cacaosuyo Batanero

Alternative Sweetener Dark
Palette de Bine ”Bines à l’érable” San Juan Estate Trinidad 70%
Starchild Wild & Raw

European Finalists

Dark
Åkesson’s 75% Criollo Madagascar Ambolikapiky 75%
Bodrato Ecuador 75%
Bonnat Cacao Real del Xoconuzco
Bonnat Cuba
Bonnat Dark Organic
Bonnat Haiti
Bonnat Maragnan
Bonnat Vale do Juliana
Friis-Holm Barba 70%
Friis-Holm Chuno 70% Double Turned
Friis-Holm Chuno 70% Triple Turned
Friis-Holm Johe 70%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 60%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 70%
Friis-Holm Medagla 70%
Friis-Holm Nicaliso 70%
Friis-Holm Rugoso 70%
Morin Nicaragua Chuno 70%

High Percentage
Åkesson’s 100% Criollo Madagascar Ambolikapiky
Friis-Holm La Dalia 85%
Friis-Holm La Dalia 100%
Hotel Chocolat Honduras, Mayan Red 100%
Naive Madagascar Extra Dark
Rózsavölgyi Trincheras 95
Timo A. Meyer 95% Venezuela

Micro-batch Dark
Ara Chocolat Porcelana 70%
Chocolate Tree Peru Marañón 69%
Duffy’s Honduras Indio Rojo
Duffy’s Nicaragua Chuno
Duffy’s Nicaragua Nicaliso
Guido Castagna Raw Venezuela
Guido Castagna Raw Madagascar
Omnom Madagascar 66%
Pump Street Bakery Grenada 70%
Pump Street Bakery Madagascar Criollo 74%
Rózsavölgyi Porcelana

Rough/Textured Dark
Donna Elvira Modicana 70% Madagascar
Donna Elvira Modicana 70% Peru Piura

Review: Bar au Chocolat Chiapas Mexico

Richard's Rating: 7.0

chocolate maker Bar au Chocolat bar Chiapas, Mexico region Mexico plantation blend cacao trees Criollo year unknown size 65g ~ 2.3oz cocoa solids 70% added fat (none) sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring (none) other ingredients (none) list price $12.00

color medium-light brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, uneven sheen, bubbles, adhered bits aroma roast (coffee, cocoa), earth, spice snap medium hard taste roast (cocoa, coffee), earth, fruit (berry, citrus), nut, spice, acidic, sour melt smooth length long finish acidic, tannin

Best Prices Online
$12.00 directly from Bar au Chocolat

Ranking: best Mexico single origin chocolate

Here are my personal ranking results from two rounds of tasting four single origin bars made from Mexico cacao. You can see all of our current ranking results on the Chocolate Rankings page.

All four of these chocolates were very good. Note that the qualities of each chocolate differ, and you may prefer the flavor, aroma, or texture of a lower ranked chocolate to that of one ranked higher. Click on a name to see a detailed review of that chocolate bar.

Cacao Sampaka La Joya Michel Cluizel Mokaya Cacao Sampaka Xoconusco Bar au Chocolat Chiapas, Mexico

Review: Michel Cluizel Mokaya

Richard's Rating: 8.0

chocolate maker Michel Cluizel bar Mokaya region Mexico plantation Mokaya cacao trees unknown year unknown size 70g ~ 2.5oz cocoa solids 66% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring bourbon vanilla other ingredients (none) list price €4,15

color medium brown PANTONE 19-1431 Fudgesickle appearance smooth, scoring, imprints, uneven sheen, scuffing aroma roast (cocoa, malt, coffee, tobacco), fruit (berry), earth (grass), spice snap hard taste roast (cocoa, malt), fruit (blackberry, nectarine, citrus), spice (vanilla, pepper), earth, sweet (honey), acidic melt more smooth length long finish acidic, slightly tannin, slightly sour

Best Prices Online
€4,15 directly from Michel Cluizel
$6.70 at Chocosphere
$6.99 at Caputo's
$6.99 at World Wide Chocolate
£3.95 at Chocolate Trading Co

Review: Amano Dos Rios

Richard's Rating: 9.0

chocolate maker Amano bar Dos Rios region Dominican Republic plantation blend cacao trees unknown year unknown size 56g ~ 2.0oz cocoa solids 70% added fat cocoa butter sweetener cane sugar emulsifier (none) flavoring vanilla other ingredients (none) list price $6.95

color medium-dark brown PANTONE 19-1317 Bitter Chocolate appearance smooth, imprints, scoring, scuffing, uneven sheen aroma fruit (bergamot, orange), earl grey, floral (jasmine), roast, dairy snap hard taste earl grey, fruit (tangerine, orange), floral (jasmine), tannin, spice, sweet, nut, roast melt smooth length medium finish somewhat tannin, slightly acidic

Prior Reviews
2012 Review

Best Prices Online
$4.95 on sale directly from Amano
$6.99 at Caputo's
$6.99 at Chocolopolis