Taste test

70% DARK CHOCOLATE

It’s better to have a few squares of dark chocolate than other forms of confectionery, but which one to choose when there’s such a variation in price? The percentage refers to the cocoa solids in the chocolate; next week we’ll test 85pc.

Bean & Goose Ecuador Dark, 80g, €6, 9/10

This single origin bean to bar chocolate made by the Keane sisters in Wexford is powerful yet balanced, with rich spiciness. Very good, but the price dictates that it’s a squarea-night indulgence. Dunnes Stores Simply Better Belgian Dark Chocolate, 100g, €2.69, 8/10

Of the supermarket chocolate that we tested, this was the favourite. The flavours are more complex than the price would lead one to expect.

Valrhona Dark Guanaja, 70g, €4.95, 8/10

This blend of grand cru chocolates has great depth of flavour. Our testers loved it, but not the price.

Aine Dark, 100g, €3.25, 8/10 Hand-made in Cavan by master chocolatier Ann Rudden, this is subtle, elegant and rather delicious.

Green & Black’s Organic Dark, 100g, €3.50, 7/10

The only organic chocolate that we tested, this has a lovely aroma and nice bittersweetness.

Lidl JD Gross Ecuadorian Dark, 125g, €1.39, 6/10

This chocolate had a nice silky-mouth feel, but our testers found the flavour a little bland. Choose this if you feel the need to knock up a batch of dark chocolate brownies without breaking the bank.

Lindt Excellence Dark, 100g, €2 (Tesco), 6/10 Perfectly pleasant, if unremarkable. This doesn’t feel as much of a treat as others with a more luxurious taste.

Aldi Moser Roth Dark, 100g, €1.39, 5/10

Marginally sweeter than the other chocolate we tested, this is absolutely fine for baking, but doesn’t feel like a treat.