DANDELION CHOCOLATE, AMBANJA, MADAGASCAR, 70%, 2014 HARVEST

​Okay, this dandelion chocolate is just the beginning of a long trail of chocolates, mostly dark chocolates to be precise, that are waiting and ready for some serious testing. All of the goodies that you are about to witness in the next month or so came home with me directly from the Northwest Seattle Chocolate Festival. I will be very healthy by the end of Christmas, devouring so much pure cacao; FOR testing purposes of course. We all know what high, dark cacao content equals: = antioxidants. Nice benefits for such pleasure. These two words “benefits” and “pleasure” normally do not go hand in hand, especially in one sentence. You are about to experience the unknown, unforeseen, untouched! Are you ready for the ride of your life? Okay, maybe I am exaggerating just a bit now but seriously, I will take you on a chocolate feast all the way through to Christmas. Join me on this adventure by subscribing. That way, you will never miss out on any of my new “once upon a time” stories. Also, be on the lookout for an awesome Christmas Giveaway, but once again, you must be a subscribed member in order for a chance to win. Let’s get on with the review now, shall we? The Dandelion Chocolate is bitter, quite bitter. This is a company based out of San Francisco, California, USA. Their moto is “bean to bar”, which I greatly appreciate. They were a very small company initially, growing cacao plants directly from their apartments. Perseverance!! This company adores the close working relationship that they still retain, and value with their cacao farmers, no middle men to interrupt or disrupt quality. Their beans are roasted long and slow, to retain the utmost flavour. Even their stunning, chocolate wrapping paper is specially made for them from India. I must admit, the packaging is absolutely beautiful, and at first sight, really caught my attention. The material is almost like touching thick cotton. So impressive. Even the gold foil is heavy, nothing flaky here. The gold leaves on the wrapping are especially delicate and calming. I love the subtleness of the look. As for the chocolate itself, warning to sugar lovers out there, this one is just not for you. It is very bitter, equivalent to literally eating raw cacao beans. The sugar content quantity must be minimum. It does melt smoothly, but the aftertaste is incredibly abrasive, all I sense is extreme tart. One must be an obsessed chocolate maniac to be in love with this particular bar, but then once again, I am that obsessed chocolate maniac. I truly appreciate the differentially from other chocolate bars, and I have to mention that it has a sophisticated, grown-up flavour which the majority of people will just not fancy. Would I re-purchase it again, yes, most certainly, but that is coming from a chocolate connoisseur. The ingredient list is unfortunately not labeled however, it clearly states on their website that all of their chocolates solely contain cocoa beans and sugar. There is no lecithin, no added cocoa butter or vanilla. I am now crazy impressed. Healthy nuts out there, this company is just for you!!!
 
Chocolisciously Delightful Ingredients: Cocoa Beans, Sugar
 
Chocolisciously Delightful Rating: 4.8 / 5.0