Scharffen Berger 70% Cacao Bittersweet

Shcarffen Berger is a company based in the bay area of California. Their chocolates from 41% milk to 82% extra dark. Dean and Deluca carries a couple of their flavors, and I picked up the darkest one there, which was the 70% bittersweet.

I was surprised that the shade was as light as it was. Most high percentage chocolate are darker in color. I predicted that it would be one of the bitter, medium body variety, which I find more and more with lighter color high cacao content chocolate.

The initial smell reminded me cigarette smoke. There was a gray factor to it and made me think of a tobacco flower perfume I once smelled in a beauty boutique. Although it was dominated by the smokey smell, it had a nice floral element to it. It was as if the cacao had been infused by second hand smoke and bitter smelling flowers. Underneath the floral tobacco smell the cocoa aroma carried through yieldingly but securely.

Upon taking a few bites and clamping down for it to melt in my mouth the rich chocolate taste finally took over my mouth. It started dominating the floral/smokey aroma that was so prevalent in the smell and the intial bites. Then when the chocolate was warm and completely melted the bitterness factor went away completely. It began becoming quite sweet. By now the smokey element was completely gone and it was nothing but sweet richness. Rich in a light way, comparable to how swiss cheese is creamy but tangy. It was very chocolatey without overwhelming my mouth.

The sweetness factor was interesting as well. It was sweeter than I usually prefer but with a unique quality. It was pleasantly complicated and forward at the same time. I couldn't figure out what the sweet taste was, so I took another bite, and another, and another, closing my eyes and oxygenating it constantly. After about half the bar, I figured it out. Honey! It's honey! After the bitter/floral/smoke element takes a step back, the rich sweetness fills your mouth, but it's not sugary. It's sweet like honey! Honey, honey, honey... that's what it is! I took a few more bites just to make sure, but by then it stuck out clearly. When the chocolate is melted and starting to disappear in your mouth, you get a honey essence that reminds you of the waxy honey you buy at farmers markets!

The aftertaste is light- the honey finish stays for a minute or two but the cocoa taste is gone almost immediately. Overall, it was very light and refreshing for a 70% variety.

The concoction of this bar was worth my money. I usually prefer darker nutty types but this one is light and memorable. It makes me want to try their other flavors, especially the 82% extra dark. Hopefully, the next time I go to Dean and Deluca, they'll have it in stock.