Dark Chocolate!!! (need I say more??)

A friend and I noticed this summer that there was a new chocolate bar (or candy bar for those in the U.S.) available for purchase when we were out shopping. It was promoted as a artisan delicacy made locally. We bought some for one of our events and enjoyed the sample immensely! And then again when I was out getting groceries at the health food store in the market this fall I spotted a different chocolate treat by a business just over the river! Seriously two new chocolate businesses?? It made me think that perhaps it was time for a taste test comparison... I mean we have to take our chocolate seriously right? So here goes...


Olivia Chocolat (Artisan)
Location: Gatineau, Quebec

Eco Cred: "Made in Canada from bean to bar" (from imported ingredients)
Certified Organic by Ecocert Canada

76% cocoa (six ingredients)
1 bar (50 g) for $5.39 - 11 cents a gram
Packaging: thin carboard & gold foil

Taste Test: I sampled the maple one earlier this year but they only come in packages of two so I went for the almond one this time (1 bar). I liked the thin tablet format. Rich - deep cocoa taste, good butter "notes", but favours those who like their chocolate with a strong hit of dark cocoa.

To Note: they also have a raw line!



Rochef Chocolatier
Location: Gatineau, Quebec

Eco Cred: Organic and Fair Trade (Gluten Free) without soy lecithin
Sustainable Forestry Initiative - Certified Fiber Sourcing for packaging

72% cocoa (four ingredients)
100 g for $7.49 - 7 cents a gram
Packaging: thin cardboard & plastic

Taste Test: Dark chocolate with Fleur de Sel. It was hard to really believe that this was 72% cocoa. It tasted almost like milk chocolate - very smooth and creamy. I would say more of a velvety butter taste with a slight hit of cocoa. The salt which was a fun, novel flavouring may have thrown off the balance of the rich chocolate.

To Note: they also have maple!


When I was out purchasing these two delicacies I noted another option (made in Ontario):

Giddy Yoyo Raw Chocolate
Location: Orangeville, Ontario

Eco Cred: "truly organic, beyond fair trade"
(but what is "heirloom ecuadorian criollo arriba nacional cacao paste"?)

75% cocoa (250 calories) five ingredients not including love & gratitude!
45 g for $4.89 - 11 cents a gram
Packaging: paper & foil

Taste Test: I sampled the Raw Chocolate Cru Mocha flavour which had great spice with the cardamon. But I did find that this hid the mocha flavour. And while it was a little dry the butter did comes through as a bottom note. This one I liked for its balance between cocoa and sweetness - it was not lacking there.



And just to allow for a side-by-side comparison with a more familiar chocolate treat that might be a more regular purchase of yours, I also sampled:

Camino Dark Chocolate
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Eco Cred: fair trade and organic - packaging comes from mixed sources
Business La Siembra who makes the chocolate is a co-operative!

65% cocoa (six ingredients)
100 g for (TBC)
Packaging: paper & plastic

Taste Test: I like the Camino for its rich dark chocolate taste. It is not too sweet - this has a great balance between all the flavours. It is however on the more bitter side as a true dark chocolate would be. There is a little hint of butter but what brings this bar all together are the raspberries. In the end I think this will still be my go to chocolate treat!




Local Artisan Chocolate can be found at:

Market Organics - York Street

Herb & Spice - Bank Street

La Botega Nicastro - George Street






** Please Note: this is Heartfelt's 31st post (yeah!) on local Ottawa & Gatineau businesses that carry sustainable products: local, organic, recycled, fair trade and/or other eco options! Congratulations to all the wonderful businesses that are making a difference and changing people's shopping experience! When we do have to make purchases it's great to have choices like these to support!