Zotter - Belize 72% + Panama 72% Dark Chocolate (bars) - May 25, 2025

Chocolate(s) of the Day

Zotter 
Belize 72% + Panama 72% Dark Chocolate (bars)
Good ++
Weight: 1.23 oz. (35 g.) / 2.47 oz. (70 g.) in total pkg. of 2 bars
Calories: 200 calories in 1/2 of each two bars x 2 -- adding up to 1/2 pkg.
Cost: $10.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Zotter USA, online order

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Central America Theme Week.

Today's 72% dark duo was made in Austria and distributed by Zotter US LLC (Fort Myers, FL) -- using cacao from two different countries: Belize and Panama.

Both Belize and Panama bars had relatively long conch times: 21 hours and 22 hours respectively.  Belize 72% cacao (bar) was joined by a Panama 72% cacao (bar); i.e. these two were individually wrapped, but wrapped up in the same package. 

Both Belize and Panama bars had relatively long conch times: 21 hours and 22 hours respectively and were relatively subtle in aroma and flavor. (No harsh or spiky notes.)

Belize "vs." Panama comparisons were not directly possible. The attractively packaged dual-origin bars concept was appealing; however, the two bars weren't clearly labeled, so they are identified below only as Bar #1 and Bar #2.

Bar #1

Aroma and flavor notes were very subtle... dark chocolate flavor (dark chocolate torte/tart, ganache, very slightly earthy, ultra-dark brownie). Diffuse, sweet fruit (citrus, raisin, dark ganache). 

The texture was smooth and creamy.

Bar #2

Aroma and flavor notes included: sweet green (light green fig jam on freshly baked,fluffy bread); nut (faint cashew); almost floral; light, clean/clean mineral taste; and very faint bitter/earth drinking chocolate/ultra-dark cookie/brownie in the finish.

Texture: light, almost whipped/fluffy melt and mouthfeel.

Both of these Organic 72% dark bars has much in common. They both were made using cacaos "cultivated in the jungles of South America by indigenous farmers." And both chocolates were made with just three ingredients: Organic, Fair Traded Cocoa Mass, Cane Sugar and Cocoa Butter,

I liked: 1.) the gently complex flavor notes; 2.) the short list of thoughtfully sourced single origin and organic ingredients; 3.) the smooth textured chocolates; 4.) and being able to taste these two single origin chocolates side-by-side.

Allergen-related information: "Manufactured on Equipment That Processes Tree Nuts., Peanuts, Milk, Sesame and Soy."