Don't judge a chocolate bar by its couverture.
November 1, 2014 9:49 AM   Subscribe

Wondering what the best chocolates in the world are? Don't simply Google it, as you'll get a lot of distorted, out-of-date, and uninformed opinion. Instead, look to the experts at C Spot, Seventy Percent, and the International Chocolate Awards, with last year's award winners including Pacari 70%, Friis-Holm's 55% Dark Milk Bar, and the truffles at Paul A. Young. This year's World competition is ongoing, with some results in for the Americas, Europe, and Canada.
posted by shivohum (29 comments total) 33 users marked this as a favorite
 
Was posted here ages ago, but a fun read relating to the world of high end chocolate here.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:59 AM on November 1, 2014 [7 favorites]


Also: chocolate of the month club for the serious hedonist.
posted by fredludd at 10:36 AM on November 1, 2014


How does this have so few favorites or comments? Is chocolate no longer delicious? Has the world gone mad?
posted by Going To Maine at 10:38 AM on November 1, 2014


too busy drooling sry
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 10:40 AM on November 1, 2014


Sorriph moo fizzy ating ma shokolaph...nom nom nom
posted by smidgen at 10:49 AM on November 1, 2014 [1 favorite]


"Dark Milk"? The term is new to me, and I'm curious. Anyone here know anything?
posted by benito.strauss at 11:03 AM on November 1, 2014


No, but I had exactly the same reaction: very piqued curiosity.
posted by sardonyx at 11:18 AM on November 1, 2014


Good news, everyone! A new medical study of chocolate's addictiveness shows that despite the cannabinoids, phenylethylamine, and theobromine it contains, there is "no role for pharmacological effects in the satisfaction of chocolate craving" but there may be "a role for aroma independent of sweetness, texture, and calories".

Basically, science is telling us that chocaholism is due to simply how good it tastes, and smells. Thanks, science!
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:34 AM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


Be nice to have a list of the "really good but not stupid expensive" chocolate.
posted by sammyo at 11:41 AM on November 1, 2014 [3 favorites]


I wonder how I would get my hands on some of these in Vancouver. They have a Canadian section, so it should be possible.... Or is this 'beyond a grad students gift budget' chocolate.
posted by Canageek at 11:44 AM on November 1, 2014


Those reviews at c-spot are such try-hard wankery. They're next to impossible to read from the author's desperation to sound rilly smrt.
posted by stavrogin at 12:01 PM on November 1, 2014


Those reviews at c-spot are such try-hard wankery. They're next to impossible to read from the author's desperation to sound rilly smrt.
posted by stavrogin
I read your comment and was like "oh how bad can it be" and then I clicked through and... whoa.
manufactured in Switzerland where one of humanity's undisputed geniuses was schooled:Try & penetrate with our limited means the secrets of nature & you will find that, behind all the discernible concatenations,...
Uh, I suppose that's pretty bad, ...
In certain swatches of Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband &, the first time this happens, her mother must be in the room to witness the act.
wat.
posted by TheNewWazoo at 12:10 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


The best chocolate in the world is the one in your mouth.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:20 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


The best chocolate was the one Grandma gave you when mom and dad weren't watching.
posted by Renoroc at 12:25 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


The best chocolate in the world is the one in your mouth.

Unless it's Hershey's in which case you should spit it out.
posted by euphorb at 12:35 PM on November 1, 2014 [7 favorites]


Unless you're in Canada, where it isn't made with rotting milk.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:38 PM on November 1, 2014


The best chocolate is the one you take from your fallen enemy's severed hand.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 12:42 PM on November 1, 2014 [13 favorites]


Any recommendations for a good chocolate of the month club in the US? fredludd's link looks like it's UK only.
posted by Aizkolari at 12:48 PM on November 1, 2014


Canageek: BETA5 is local; they're at 413 Industrial (just off Main, between 2nd and Terminal.) I've never been but I've heard good things. The other chocolatiers I haven't seen before, but you may want to check either Xoxolat (on Homer,)or Gourmet Warehouse?

"Dark milk" chocolates have been around for a while (there's even an NYT article about their rise from 2008) β€” they have more cocoa and less sugar than regular milk chocolate while still having the smoothness and mouthfeel that milk provides.
posted by heeeraldo at 1:36 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


Wasn't there also an expose years ago that showed the awards and accolades modern chocolate providers earn is mostly bullshit? Like, most of these guys just repackage bulk chocolate with fancy packaging and a nice story, bit little of their own skill.
posted by clvrmnky at 1:57 PM on November 1, 2014


See my first comment at the top, clvrmnky.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 2:00 PM on November 1, 2014


Honestly, most high cocoa chocolates just taste like baker's chocolate to this plebe. You might as well eat cocoa powder with a spoon.
posted by stavrogin at 2:19 PM on November 1, 2014


I'm sure all the competing chocolates are delicious, but it's a little strange that there were no Belgian chocolates among any of the finalists. Hmmmm.
posted by Steakfrites at 2:40 PM on November 1, 2014


I just get a double chocolate chip muffin from Whole Foods. They are glorious rich and deep and completely overrun my chocolate cravings and leave me stunned for a couple of minutes. No bar has ever done that for me.
posted by srboisvert at 4:16 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


In certain swatches of Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband &, the first time this happens, her mother must be in the room to witness the act.

I guess it would take a genius from Switzerland to figure out how to have sex in a Swatch.
posted by yoink at 5:15 PM on November 1, 2014 [2 favorites]


Thanks heeraldo, I'll have to check that out.
posted by Canageek at 7:05 PM on November 1, 2014


The best chocolate is the one you take from your fallen enemy's severed hand.

I pay the cacao price.
posted by Going To Maine at 7:24 AM on November 2, 2014 [1 favorite]


<scrolls down list, eyebrow arched quizzically>

Ah, El Rey Icoa. Jolly good show. As you were.

(Good to see local folks SOMA get on the list. Disappointed to see their Toasted White not winning. I suspect they brought some, but ate it all on the way. Om nom.)
posted by scruss at 1:10 PM on November 2, 2014


I see from the packaging that we have tried Pacari relatively recently, but didn't go back for more, so I guess that makes it...

Chocolain't

*tries to put on sunglasses, they slip out of Cadbury Dairy Milk-slickened fingers*
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:21 PM on November 2, 2014


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