Where I got it: Plum Market, Ann Arbor MI

Price: $2.00 for 3.2 oz. (90g)

Cocoa percentage: 55%

Website: www.chocolove.com

Reviewed by: Jeff (chocolate snob) and Rachel (educated chocolate snob)

From last time’s high-end, single-plantation bar (Sao Tome 75%) we return to Earth with a more approachable and affordable choice.

“Tucked away in Boulder, Colorado sits an unassuming building,” says the Chocolove website, “where a little magic takes place… Every day, decadent chocolate bars are carefully crafted using the timeless combination of chocolate and love.”

This bar has a more general appeal to those who don’t care for a strong dark chocolate flavor. With a cocoa content of 55%, it’s more in the range of semisweet than dark.

Story: (from the wrapper)

“At first bite, crunchy almonds release their flavor in a swirl with chocolate. The sea salt crystals continually reset your sweet taste buds and make a tantalizing taste combination that keeps you wanting more.”

Appearance:

The wrapper has a pleasing color, but it seems a bit too busy, especially in contrast with the elegantly understated Pralus Sao Tome bar from our previous review. To me, it’s trying a little too hard to get my attention, with the gold seal, stamps, and various illustrations. However, when all the Chocolove offerings are grouped in the display (middle two rows below), they really stand out. So what do I know?

Texture:

The bar snaps cleanly into its squares. There’s a feeling of fullness in the mouth, in a good way. It isn’t delicate, dissolve-on-the-tongue chocolate; this is full-bodied stuff, although I’d prefer a slightly higher cocoa content. The almonds are large enough to provide a satisfying crunch and add chewiness, again in a good way.

Flavor:

This bar is proof that dark chocolate and almonds were pretty much made for each other. The flavors are balanced and complement each other well. The other key here is just the right amount of salt to enliven both the almonds and chocolate without making me reach for the water bottle.

The Bottom Line

Jeff: If you’ve read or heard about Michael Moss’s new book Salt Sugar Fat, here’s the textbook example. This bar uses all three to create something that’s really hard to stop eating. That with the bargain price makes it an incredible value. Good thing I’m cranking up my weekly running mileage.

Rachel: What he said.

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