The pros: Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Bar 85% Cocoa is a very intense and bitter chocolate which not everyone is going to appreciate. However, this taste will make sure it is portion controlled. This is surprisingly high in fiber.
The cons: I found this almost too bitter to be enjoyable.
The verdict:
My name is Brenda and I am a chocoholic. I'm completely positive it's a dietary need of mine. While science may tell me otherwise, my brain is completely hardwired to have a bit each day. I like milk, dark, and white chocolates. I've tried several of Trader Joe's chocolate varieties and for the most part enjoyed a bunch of them.
This I did NOT enjoy.
Perhaps it is my American palate that tells me that chocolate should be at least somewhat sweet. In this bar there was almost no sweetness to speak of. When opened the chocolate had Trader Joe's hibiscus pattern on every other square. There a nice cracking sound to break it apart. Upon biting into it, it took a while to melt. The taste was both bitter and fruity (which reminded me of raspberries) and a touch chalky. The taste lingered on my tongue for about ten seconds after consuming this.
The combination of bitter, fruity and not sweet did not work well for me. In fact, after looking at the serving size, I was amazed by how large it is. If this were a Hershey's bar, no problem sitting down and eating a whole bar. This? I'm only on my first row of squares and not rushing to have more. For $1.69 this is very reasonably priced for a product that is so high in cocoa. However, this bar was no match for my favorite brand, Valrhona. However this bar is no where near the premium that Valrhona commands either.
All isn't lost though. This by nature is very portion controlled but might be suited to better applications than just eating the bar. However, as a whole I would not repurchase this product.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The package of Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Bar 85% Cocoa:
The nutritional information and the ingredients
Out of the package you get:
Would I buy this again? No. I clearly enjoy dark chocolate that is made to a much more American (yes sugary) taste. Only true dark lovers should try this.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
RossC says
I've not tried this and probably won't... Not into bitter chocolate..
What I did try and really like is Joe's Dark Coffee Squares... A neighbor gave us a handful of them..I don't care a lot for coffee flavored things but.. This is really good...
becomebetty says
I tried those too. They were the most coffee flavored chocolate product I've ever tried. As always, great to heat from you!
judilyn says
We like the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate that comes in the bright red package, and at $5. for a “Pound Plus”, it is a bargain. I melt nine squares at a time and spread it out on parchment paper to freeze solid. Then break it up into “tiles”, keeping it in the refrigerator, to nibble on after lunch as a “meal finale” treat. Not a true dessert, but enough to tell our brains that eating time is over for now.
I don’t do it now because of allergies, but the flavored oils (mint, orange, raspberry, coffee, almond, coconut, etc.) incorporate nicely into the chocolate, and make a superb treat. I got the idea almost 30 years ago, when my new husband loved the orange/chocolate treat “Twigs”, which were outrageously expensive. I knew I could do better – and a whole lot cheaper.
http://tinyurl.com/y78mxrbk
I haven’t seen the Joe’s Dark Coffee Squares, but would def give them a whirl. These dark, dark squares? Yes, I would try them – just to see. If not suitable, I would melt them down and mix with some of Trader Joe’s other chocolate products. Might be good used as a “dip” on a very sweet cookie – just to make the cookie more interesting, and possibly cut the sweetness. Something like a shortbread cookie?
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
I love how many suggestions you have. As always thanks so much for sharing. The Trader Joe's Dark Coffee square taste a lot like coffee and not so much like chocolate. I was expecting them to be mocha flavored. They were assertively coffee. I'll have to look into your chocolate suggestion!
dan says
I love this product. It is fantastic for the same reasons you didn't like it I LOVE it
becomebetty says
Hey Dan! I'm so glad you love it. It's truly a Dark Chocolate Lovers bar, I know this bar has a tremendous fan club. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!
dan says
I love this product for the same reasons you do not - for anyone like my self who doesn't like sugary products this is awesome.
becomebetty says
That is absolutely one thing that this product is pretty mild on is sugar. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts!
Laura says
I eat this dipped in salty natural peanut butter and it's good! Especially for low-carb/low sugar diet (I'm controlled diabetic), it brings joy to what could be a rather grim existence.
becomebetty says
Hey Laura! I'm glad you stopped by and shared! I think that is a super important point that you bring up. I'm going to post a low carb Trader Joe's round up in the near future because this is the third comment about low carb that Ive gotten this week. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts on this
Karen says
It's also one of my favorite chocolates - I like the intensity and lack of sweetness. I think you have to work your way up to the really dark chocolate, though. I would not have liked it 25 years ago; cutting back on sugar gets more important as I get older, and now I find I don't like sweet things I used to enjoy.
becomebetty says
Hey Karen! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this one. You are right it is one of the lower carb bars in the store. I'm working on a low carb guide. Keep an eye out for Montezuma's 100% Cocoa Solids Absolute Black. That only has 2 net carbs. I haven't tried it so I can't comment on that. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing!
Monta says
I love the TJ chocolate lovers bar. I like the bitter fruity taste, but the best benefit is that my husband and children hate it so they won't steal my chocolate!
becomebetty says
Hey Monta! That is the best reason I've heard! And all the more reason to buy more. Thanks so very much for stopping by and sharing!