High Sierra Topix

Had some of that yesterday Richard, still good for a flavored bar, but for
pure chocolate flavor D.Taylor's "Belize" is the bomb (for now ),
and has been the top pick at the last two chocolate tastings I had.

Is the "Belize" really $60 / lb?

They are $6.99 a bar (Wholefoods), which are 2 oz each, so a total of $55.92,
which ain't bad for the excellent quality, and still cheap compared to some of the
European chocolates (especially Italian).

Hi Maverick;
Saturday (9/27), my wife and I found a cheese shop in Anaheim that carries 3 varieties of Dick Taylor chocolate. Unfortunately, they didn't carry "Belize Toledo" - but after telling them about your rave review, they put in an order to get some. In the meantime, we tried this one - Fleur de Sel 74% Dominican Republic - at a cost of $7.95 for the 2 ounce bar. Also picked up a jar of artisan caramel, and enjoyed a nice sample of a Spanish cheese made from sheep milk.
This shop could be trouble
About the chocolate - It was good; bitter, but smooth, with the salt taste kind of subtle behind the rich, dark cocoa. The package was cool, with the bar hand wrapped in neatly folded foil paper. The bar itself was embossed with an intricate pattern. Quite the "experience" in a bar of chocolate!

Might try to find the "Theo" at REI today, while looking for some new shoes.

Cheers,
Herm

Yes, the packaging is of very high quality, very unique, only other chocolate that
has similar quality I have seen is from Italy. The Dominican is good, as are his
other ones, but the Belize is the one that really stands out above the rest.
Looking forward to hearing about you and your wifes experience Herm.

maverick wrote:Had some of that yesterday Richard, still good for a flavored bar, but for
pure chocolate flavor D.Taylor's "Belize" is the bomb (for now ),
and has been the top pick at the last two chocolate tastings I had.

Maverick - I enjoyed the Theo chocolate on a trip this weekend. I'll keep my eye open for some D. Taylor "Belize" down here in the San Diego area.

RichardCullip wrote:

Maverick - I enjoyed the Theo chocolate on a trip this weekend. I'll keep my eye open
for some D. Taylor "Belize" down here in the San Diego area.

Happy to read you enjoyed it Richard.

maverick wrote:They are $6.99 a bar (Wholefoods), which are 2 oz each, so a total of $55.92,
which ain't bad for the excellent quality, and still cheap compared to some of the
European chocolates (especially Italian).

The really high octane chocolates more often than not fail to stimulate my unsophisticated childlike sweet tooth. But my wife loves that 70% dark bitter punishing stuff. I'll have to buy her some Theo next time I'm at REI; and see if our local WF carries Belize.

She occasionally hand carries chocolate home from business trips to Switzerland, from a shop called Basler Schoggi-Lade. It turns out that it's cheap! Only $30/lb. Pedestrian chocolate. Chocolate for the hoi polloi. :-)

What do the really expensive Italian chocolates look like / taste like?

What do the really expensive Italian chocolates look like / taste like?

Exquisite, smooth, and just plain great, but most are easily over $100 for 16 oz.
One of the best for example is $99 for a 6 pk, each weighing 1.75 oz, a total of
10.5 oz: http://www.worldwidechocolate.com/am-150-mp6.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I finally tried those chocolates. I really, really like the Belize despite my usual distaste for ultra-strong chocolate. The flavor surprised me each time I sampled it. I'm not sure how to describe it. Fruity, maybe? The other one, the Theo salted almond, was also good but the zingy tang from the salt seemed a distraction to me. Just personal preference. The Whole Foods I found them at had numerous expensive chocolates. I bought another local one, a hazelnut bar from Poco Dolce, that was also good but not remarkable.

I can see how this could become a rather costly habit.