I Tested 6 Grocery Store Dark Chocolate Bars—Here's My Top Pick

While I usually favor milk chocolate, I found myself surrounded by dark chocolate bars, eager to identify the best one. I don't dislike dark chocolate, but I often find it too bitter or overly fruity for my taste. When a chocolate craving strikes, I lean towards smooth, creamy options. However, after sampling a variety of dark chocolate, my perspective shifted.

My brother is well-known in our family for his love of cacao nibs and dark chocolate, while my dad enjoys a balance between the two, and my mom is indifferent.

After a lively discussion about dark chocolate, my brother and I decided to hold a taste test. Similar to my previous baking competitions, we set some criteria to determine the top dark chocolate.

1. Ranking Criteria
2. Taste Test Results
3. 6. Green and Black's Organic 70% Dark Chocolate
4. 5. Ghirardelli 72% Twilight Delight
5. 4. Chocolove 70% Strong Dark Chocolate
6. 3. Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate
7. 2. Tony's Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate
8. 1. Perugina 70% Bittersweet Chocolate
9. Final Thoughts

Ranking Criteria

We tasted each chocolate at room temperature and cleansed our palates in between. We focused solely on 70% (or so) chocolate bars found in the HEB candy aisle. Unfortunately, the Valhrona Dark Chocolate Bar wasn't available for this comparison.

As an expert in dark chocolate, my brother shared what he looks for when evaluating these bars.

Flavor

I expected little variation in flavor among the selected bars, but I was pleasantly surprised by distinct differences. We sought a chocolate that offered its unique flavor without excessive sweetness or fruitiness. The ultimate question was: which bar would we reach for again? (None of us are professional tasters; we simply want enjoyable chocolate.)

Texture

We all agreed that our favorite chocolates should be smooth and avoid being chalky or chunky. A well-tempered chocolate should snap nicely.

Aroma

This criterion was included because my brother insisted it mattered, though it seems fairly obvious.

By the end of our tasting, I found a few new favorites, some for baking, and others I'll stick with milk chocolate varieties. Here are the results of our search for the best dark chocolate.

Taste Test Results

6. Green and Black's Organic 70% Dark Chocolate

I'm a huge fan of Green and Black's Milk Chocolate and stock up when it's on sale, so I hoped this dark bar would rank higher.

Unfortunately, its flavor was just okay—slightly smoky and astringent. The texture was decent, but not as smooth as I expected. It ended up in last place because it was just fine. I'll continue to rave about the milk chocolate version and keep this one for baking.

Green & Black's Organic 70% Dark Chocolate Candy Bars

5. Ghirardelli 72% Twilight Delight

I adore Ghirardelli's milk and caramel treats, but this bar didn't meet expectations. My brother noted a smoky flavor with almost a licorice hint, while my dad found it slightly bitter with a fruity aftertaste. Additionally, my brother disliked the aroma, comparing it to over-roasted coffee. This bar is decent but would work better in cookie dough.

Ghirardelli 72% Twilight Delight (Pack of 4)

4. Chocolove 70% Strong Dark Chocolate

This chocolate bar was okay in flavor. All three of us agreed that its mild fruitiness was enjoyable. However, the texture fell short; it didn't melt smoothly on our tongues. While not quite chalky, we sought a more satisfying mouthfeel. I haven't tried its milk chocolate version but will add it to my list for comparison.

Chocolove 70% Strong Dark Chocolate

3. Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate

We're fans of Lindt truffles, so I was eager to try this bar. The flavor is milder and sweeter, which I appreciated as a milk chocolate lover, though my brother found it less intense than others. The texture, however, was smooth with a satisfying snap. Overall, we enjoyed this bar and returned for seconds.

Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate

2. Tony's Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate

This was my first time trying Tony's chocolate, which I'd seen at Trader Joe's. It had the boldest, fruitiest flavor among the bars we tested. While my brother enjoyed its brightness, I found it a bit strong for my taste. Still, the texture was smooth, and we wished it were thinner, as the large pieces were tough to break off. Plus, it looked stunning.

Tony's Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate

1. Perugina 70% Bittersweet Chocolate

This bar surprised us all with its rich flavor. It features nutty and coconut notes with a remarkably creamy texture. Not bitter at all, it's mild enough to appeal even to dark chocolate skeptics. I was thrilled to find a dark chocolate I would repurchase, especially one my brother liked too. Lesson learned: don't underestimate the underdog.

Perugina 70% Bittersweet Chocolate

Final Thoughts

In my quest for the best dark chocolate, I discovered something for every palate. I'll even let my brother have his I-told-you-so moment. After tasting these different options, I can now pinpoint what I like and dislike, making me open to trying new varieties in the future.

While these selections came from the grocery store, I have a few gourmet and smaller bean-to-bar favorites:

Beyond Good Dark Chocolate Bar

Spring & Mulberry Dark Chocolate Bar

Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Bar

And for that perfect bar with beautiful packaging, check out our list of the best aesthetically pleasing chocolate bars. When your loved ones crave something sweet, why not treat them to the finest?

This post was last updated on June 6, 2025 to include new insights.