The World’s Best Chocolate Bars: Dark Chocolate Edition

Qantu- Gran Blanco, Peru, 70% Dark (AOC Gold Winner)

As the name suggests, this bar has a remarkably pale, amber colouring. When eaten, layer upon layer of delicate flavour unfolds. Sharp currants along with softer berries come through, rounded off by a beautiful acidity. Finally, we noted a touch of treacle on the finish.

Fjak - Phetchabun, Thailand, Dark 70% Microlot (ICA Silver Winner 2023)

There are only 1000 of these bars, so get your hands on one while you can! The smooth, dark bar is delightful, with notes of strawberry milkshake, banana, and almonds. It’s also vegan, dairy and gluten free!

Standout - Sambirano Valley, Madagascar, Dark 70% (AOC Gold Winner 2022)

This Academy of Chocolate 2022 GOLD award-winning 70% dark chocolate has a crisp citrus acidity with notes of pineapple and grape. It’s creamy in mouthfeel and Fredrik crafts his chocolate to have an amazing cooling melt.

Friis Holm - Barba, Nicaragua, Dark 70% (ICA Gold Winner 2023)

Barba is one of the rarest cacao varietals in the world. In the whole of Nicaragua (and possibly the world), there are perhaps only 100 trees growing the Barba varietal. This is an exceptional bar. At first bite, it has the same rich, creamy texture and even melt that we have come to expect from Friis Holm chocolate. Then as it melts, a bright, bold flavour bursts forth. This bar is spicy, not bitter, with black pepper emerging toward the middle of the melt, before leaving a rich, buttery finish.

Fu Wan - #9 Ping-Tung, Double Ferment, Dark 70%

Double fermentation builds on the already rich cocoa flavour created through the first stage of cocoa fermentation in the chocolate-making process. The beans for this bar have been fermented twice and roughly ground, with tasting notes of strawberry, sherbet, candyfloss, and tart apple.

Krak - Anh Em B10, Vietnam, Dark 70% (AOC Gold Winner)

This smooth, dark, award-winning 70% dark chocolate is a delight to the taste buds. Creamy with a distinct nuttiness.

Åkesson’s - Brazil 75% (AOC Silver Winner)

Taking silver at the Academy of Chocolate’s 2020 awards, this smooth and fruity 75% dark chocolate has a roasted finish and is full of flavours reminiscent of the lush Brazilian rainforest. As it melts in your mouth, deep woody notes anticipate a bright fruity kick, thanks to the local Brazilian pitanga fruit. A subtle hint of tobacco comes through on the finish.

Friis Holm- Chuno, Nicaragua 70% Double Turned Dark (ICA Silver Award)

Another silver-awarded bar, this time from the International Chocolate Awards. It has a subtle profile, which is initially dominated by the bar’s creamy quality. It is incredibly smooth, with light spicy notes and just a hint of peach. The dark chocolate is finished off with a touch of sherbet and a slight astringency, giving it a really balanced flavour.

Qantu - Chaska, Peru, Dark 70% (ICA Silver Winner 2023)

This bar, made from cocoa beans grown in Elfi’s home region of Junin, has a powerful floral aroma which melts into a flavour profile of dried fruits.

Standout- Iduuki, India, Dark 70% (AOC Bronze Award)

On taste, this dark chocolate bursts with rich sultana and dried fruit notes, with quite the “Madagascar” quality within the bar. The melt and texture is smooth, with a nutty finish.

Try a selection of our top bars

We’ve put together a selection of our favourite dark chocolate bars for you to try! Take a look below to get hold of some incredible award-winning bars.