Dark chocolate isn’t just a treat for your taste buds – it’s packed with antioxidants and can actually be good for your heart health when enjoyed in moderation. With so many options lining store shelves today, finding truly exceptional dark chocolate can feel overwhelming. From single-origin bars with fruity notes to intense, high-percentage options for serious chocolate lovers, these thirteen standouts offer something special for every palate.
1. Beyond Good Organic Madagascar Dark Chocolate (70%)
Formerly known as Madécasse, Beyond Good stands out for making their chocolate entirely in Madagascar – where the cacao grows. This approach creates three times more income for local communities than traditional export models.
The flavor profile will surprise even experienced chocolate tasters! Bright notes of raspberry and citrus burst forward without any added flavors – it’s just the natural character of Madagascar’s exceptional cacao. The mouthfeel starts creamy then transitions to a clean, satisfying finish.
Beyond Good’s direct trade practices eliminate middlemen, creating a transparent supply chain you can feel good about supporting. Their elegant packaging features traditional Malagasy designs, making each bar as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.
2. Amano Artisan Chocolate Dos Rios (70%)
Handcrafted in small batches, Amano’s Dos Rios bar delivers an unforgettable chocolate experience. The beans from the Dominican Republic create a perfectly balanced flavor with bright citrus hints that dance across your tongue.
What makes this bar special is the careful attention to detail during production. Each step, from bean selection to tempering, receives meticulous care from chocolate maker Art Pollard and his dedicated team.
The smooth, silky texture melts effortlessly, releasing complex flavors that evolve as you savor each bite. This award-winning chocolate represents artisan craftsmanship at its finest – perfect for those moments when only exceptional chocolate will do.
3. TCHO Dark Duo (75%)
Bay Area chocolate innovator TCHO brings science and art together in their remarkable Dark Duo bar. The ganache-like creaminess sets this chocolate apart from competitors – it literally melts the moment it touches your tongue.
Red fruit flavors dominate the profile, reminiscent of cherries and raspberries, though no actual fruit is added. TCHO sources ethically grown cacao and maintains direct relationships with farmers, ensuring quality from farm to bar.
Their unique approach includes proprietary technology that helps develop flavor during production. Even chocolate snobs who typically prefer European brands find themselves reaching for TCHO’s distinctive bars again and again. The elegant packaging makes it an impressive gift option too.
4. Divine Dark Chocolate Bar (85%)
Every bite of Divine chocolate tells a powerful story of farmer empowerment. The Kuapa Kokoo cooperative in Ghana owns 44% of the company, giving farmers a voice and fair compensation for their exceptional cacao.
The 85% bar delivers an intensely rich experience without overwhelming bitterness. Notes of dried fruits and subtle earthiness create depth, while the smooth texture makes this high-percentage bar approachable even for those new to intense dark chocolate.
The cooperative’s democratic structure allows farmers to vote on how premiums are invested in their communities. Schools, clean water systems, and medical clinics have been built with these funds – making your chocolate indulgence support meaningful change. The distinctive gold-embossed packaging adds an elegant touch to this ethical treat.
5. Raaka Pink Sea Salt Dark Chocolate (71%)
Unroasted cacao beans create the foundation for Raaka’s unconventional approach to chocolate making. Skip the roasting step preserves delicate flavor compounds that would otherwise be lost, resulting in a chocolate experience unlike any other on the market.
The Pink Sea Salt bar balances Bolivian and Tanzanian cacao with just the right amount of Madagascar pink sea salt. Each crystal creates tiny flavor explosions as they hit your tongue, enhancing the chocolate’s natural complexity.
Brooklyn-based Raaka (meaning “raw” in Finnish) focuses on transparency in their sourcing and pays premium prices for their beans. Their colorful, windowed packaging lets you glimpse the chocolate while protecting it from light damage. For adventurous chocolate lovers seeking something beyond traditional flavors, this bar delivers a memorable tasting journey.
6. Theo Dark Chocolate Bar (85%)
Seattle-based Theo holds the distinction of being the first organic and fair trade certified chocolate maker in North America. Their commitment to ethical sourcing shines through in every aspect of production.
The 85% bar delivers a robust chocolate experience with remarkable smoothness for such a high percentage. Unlike many competitors at this intensity, Theo’s version avoids excessive bitterness, instead offering notes of dark cherry and espresso with a clean finish.
Founded by former Greenpeace activist Joe Whinney, Theo maintains direct relationships with cacao farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Peru. Their distinctive yellow packaging stands out on shelves, while their manufacturing facility offers popular tours for chocolate lovers visiting Seattle – complete with generous samples!
7. Pascha Organic Dark Chocolate (85%)
Food allergies shouldn’t mean missing out on great chocolate! Pascha was born from one father’s mission to find truly allergen-free chocolate for his daughters. Their dedicated facility produces chocolate free from the top eight allergens – no nuts, dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, or gluten ever cross their production lines.
The 85% bar delivers serious chocolate intensity with a remarkably smooth character. The cacao’s natural fruity notes shine through without any bitter aftertaste that often plagues high-percentage bars.
Simple, clean ingredients make this bar special – just organic cacao beans, organic cacao butter, and organic cane sugar. No lecithins, no additives, no hidden ingredients. The minimalist packaging reflects this purity, making Pascha perfect for health-conscious chocolate lovers or anyone navigating the complicated world of food allergies.
8. Hu Salty Dark Chocolate (70%)
Born in a health-focused restaurant in New York City, Hu (pronounced “hue”) creates chocolate with incredibly strict standards. Their “no weird ingredients” philosophy eliminates refined sugar, soy lecithin, and other additives found in most commercial chocolate.
The Salty Dark bar achieves perfect balance – rich cacao depth meets just enough sea salt to enhance flavors without overwhelming. Coconut sugar replaces conventional cane sugar, creating a more complex sweetness with subtle caramel notes.
Paleo, vegan, and gluten-free certifications make this bar accessible to various dietary preferences. Hu’s distinctive stone-textured packaging catches the eye on shelves, while their commitment to sustainability extends to compostable inner wrappers. For health-conscious chocolate lovers unwilling to compromise on flavor, Hu delivers a guilt-free indulgence worth savoring.
9. Ghirardelli Intense Dark (72%)
America’s oldest continuously operating chocolate maker brings over 165 years of expertise to their Intense Dark line. Founded by an Italian chocolatier who came to California during the Gold Rush, Ghirardelli combines Old World craftsmanship with accessibility.
The 72% bar hits a sweet spot for many chocolate lovers – intense enough to satisfy dark chocolate cravings without venturing into bitter territory. Subtle notes of mocha and blackberry emerge as the chocolate melts, creating a complex but approachable flavor profile.
Widely available in grocery stores nationwide, Ghirardelli offers premium chocolate at a more accessible price point than many specialty brands. Their distinctive squares break easily for portion control, while the resealable packaging keeps remaining pieces fresh. For chocolate lovers seeking quality without hunting down specialty shops, this reliable classic delivers consistent satisfaction.
10. Godiva Signature Dark Chocolate (72%)
Belgian chocolate royalty Godiva brings nearly a century of chocolate-making expertise to their Signature Dark bar. Created in Brussels in 1926, Godiva maintains its reputation for luxury with meticulous attention to quality.
The 72% bar embodies sophisticated indulgence with its exceptionally smooth texture. Each piece melts effortlessly, releasing waves of balanced flavor – rich cacao with subtle vanilla notes and a lingering finish that avoids any harsh bitterness.
The gold box and embossed foil wrapping signal a premium experience before you even taste the chocolate. While some chocolate connoisseurs might dismiss Godiva as too commercial, their consistent quality and widespread availability make this an excellent introduction to better chocolate for those accustomed to mass-market brands. For gift-giving or personal indulgence, Godiva’s classic appeal continues to earn devoted fans worldwide.
11. Tony’s Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate
The irregular, chunky shape of Tony’s bars tells you immediately this isn’t ordinary chocolate. Founded by Dutch journalist Teun van de Keuken after he discovered widespread child labor in cocoa production, Tony’s mission to make 100% slave-free chocolate drives everything they do.
The 70% dark bar balances social impact with genuine deliciousness. Rich cocoa flavors with hints of dried fruits come from beans sourced through direct trade relationships in Ghana and Ivory Coast, where Tony’s pays premium prices and requires transparency.
The colorful, informative packaging educates consumers about inequality in chocolate production while the uneven pieces symbolize the industry’s unfair distribution of profits. Tony’s five sourcing principles – traceable beans, higher prices, strong farmers, long-term relationships, and improved productivity – create a model they hope the entire industry will adopt. Chocolate that tastes good and does good.
12. Chocolove Extreme Dark Chocolate (88%)
Romance meets serious chocolate intensity in Chocolove’s distinctive approach. Each bar comes wrapped like a love letter, complete with a romantic poem printed inside – a charming touch from founder Timothy Moley, who believes chocolate and love naturally belong together.
The 88% Extreme Dark isn’t for chocolate beginners! This intensity delivers a profound cocoa experience with complex flavors that develop slowly. Initial notes of espresso and wood give way to subtle dried fruit hints as the chocolate melts.
Boulder, Colorado-based Chocolove sources beans from cooperatives in Africa and South America, maintaining direct relationships with growers. Their commitment to sustainability includes Rainforest Alliance certification. For those ready to explore chocolate’s deeper, more complex side without venturing into the sometimes harsh territory of 90%+ bars, this approachable extreme dark hits the perfect balance.
13. Taza Deliciously Dark Chocolate (70%)
Stone-ground chocolate made the traditional Mexican way gives Taza its signature rustic texture. Unlike the ultra-smooth European style, these discs maintain tiny sugar and cacao particles you can feel on your tongue – creating an authentic, engaging experience.
The 70% Deliciously Dark disc balances intensity with approachability. Bold, slightly fruity cacao flavors shine through with minimal processing – Taza’s approach honors the beans’ natural characteristics rather than refining them away.
Founded in Somerville, Massachusetts by Alex Whitmore after learning traditional chocolate-making in Oaxaca, Mexico, Taza maintains direct relationships with organic cacao farmers. Their transparent trade practices include publishing annual reports detailing exactly what they pay farmers. The distinctive round shape and wax-sealed packaging make these chocolate discs immediately recognizable – perfect for adventurous chocolate lovers seeking something beyond conventional bars.
Leave a comment