Chocolate has long been a favored treat worldwide. But among its many types, 70% dark chocolate stands out. This blend finds a balance between bitterness and sweetness, making it a popular choice for many. In this article, we'll explore its appeal, and the top options available in the market. Whether you're familiar with this chocolate variety or just getting started, this guide aims to provide valuable insights.
What Does 70% Chocolate Mean?
The percentage you see on a chocolate bar, often referred to as the cocoa or cacao percentage, signifies the proportion of the bar's total weight that comes directly from cocoa beans. This can include cocoa solids and cocoa butter. For example, a 70% dark chocolate bar consists of 70% cocoa components (the combined weight of both the cocoa solids and the cocoa butter) and 30% other ingredients, which might include sugar, milk, or flavorings. Higher percentages typically mean a more intense, less sweet chocolate flavor, while lower percentages often indicate a milder, sweeter taste due to the higher content of added ingredients.
Comparing the Best 70% Dark Chocolate Bars
OmNom Tanzania 70%
A pure dark single-origin bar from Tanzania cocoa. It features a dominance of stone fruits and roasted hazelnuts with hints of raisins and ripe apricots.
Tasting notes: Fruity & Nutty
Dick Taylor Black Fig Chocolate 72%
Starting with their fruity 72% Malagasy origin chocolate, Dick Taylor adds in chewy bits of dark, rich California black mission figs. The combination makes for unforgettably bright chocolate, rife with notes of dried fruit and deep cacao, and textured with locally-sourced figs.
Tasting notes: Dried Fruit, Deep Cacao, Fig
Ranger Espresso 74% Large
Ranger's Espresso Chocolate Bar strikes a balance between two of our most beloved items on the planet, chocolate, and espresso. They collaborated with some of the best coffee roasters in Portland to produce a warm and welcoming bar. They work with Trailhead Coffee Roasters to pair their Classic Espresso Blend with a 50/50 blend of their cacao from the Tumaco region in Colombia and a new bean they've been working with from forest edge communities surrounding the Gola Rainforest National Park in Sierra Leone.
Tasting notes: Cream & Carmel
Amano Macoris 70%
This is one of their newest single-origin bars. Made with beans from the Dominican Republic this bar has hints of apricot, caramel, brown sugar, and cream all held together with a rich earthy chocolate base.
Tasting notes: Apricot, Caramel, Brown Sugar & Cream
Cuna De Piedra Comalcalco Tabasco With Smoked Heirloom Chile 73%
Tasting notes: Balanced
LetterPress Peru Tingo Maria 70%
Ucayali River Cacao sources from several areas in the Peruvian state of Ucayali. Having won numerous awards for their Private Reserve Ucayali bar, Letterpress wanted to explore some of the other fantastic cacao in the region which URC also ferments. Tingo María is a city on the Huallaga River in central Peru, set between Andean highlands and Amazonian jungle. It's the gateway to the biodiverse Tingo María National Park, known for Sleeping Beauty, a mountain shaped like a reclining woman.
Tasting notes: Caramel, Mocha & Berries
Goodio Nordic Flavours, Metsä (Forest) 70%
Metsä (forest) is a bar of dark chocolate topped with forest crystals and dried birch leaves. This flavor features some of the building blocks of the Nordic forest landscape: birch and spruce.
Tasting notes: Woody
Manoa Rum Bar 75% (Limited Edition)
Showcasing a locally made spirit, Manoa soaks cacao nibs in Kohana rum to create a boozy chocolate experience unique to Hawaiian sugarcane. Kohana rum is some of the world's finest pure cane rums. Heirloom sugarcanes are harvested, hand-pressed, and distilled in small batches to make every single variety bottle.
Tasting notes: Boozy Rum Flavor, Vanilla, Honeysuckle, Creamy & Crunchy Nibs
Blanxart Brazil Eco-Organic 76%
Feel the jungle in this intense bar! Sour citrus notes burst forth from the dark interior, mixing with a slight earthiness that gives the palate a zesty party atmosphere. Not to be missed!
Tasting notes: Citrus & Earthy
Amedei Toscano Red Chocolate Bar 70%
Amedei's extra dark chocolate with pieces of dried strawberry, cherry, and raspberries throughout.
Tasting notes: Fruity
Chocolate offers a diverse range of flavors and types. The 70% dark chocolate bars stand out for their balance of cocoa richness and added sweetness. Through this exploration, we've highlighted a selection of notable chocolates, from OmNom Tanzania to Blanxart's eco-organic blend. Each bar presents a unique flavor profile influenced by its origin and craftsmanship. Whether you're a frequent consumer or new to this category, the 70% chocolate range provides an array of choices worth trying.
