Chocolate Review – Traidcraft 70% Dark Chocolate.

Here is this fortnight’s review in my journey to find decent ‘Supermarket grade’ chocolate.

Just so you know, what I call ‘supermarket grade’ is – you guessed it – chocolate like products that can be bought at the supermarket. This is in comparison to when I go to a speciality artisan chocolatier’s place and grab something from them.

And what I mean it being decent is a chocolate that tastes great, is good quality and created/ sold ethically. So, yeah, my hunt is long and hard. Not that I really mind being forced to only buy chocolate from a decent, local chocolatier… it is sometimes just nice to be able to grab some while at the supermarket as it’s more convenient… and I’m less likely to spend half my food budget on a couple of hundred grams of artisan heavenly, chocolatey goodness. 😉

And here is a bit of a disclaimer for you all:

I bought this product with my own money, and it was a random choice from the supermarket shelf. I am not being paid to make this review, nor am I deliberately singling this product or company out. I’m just trying to give an open and honest review on chocolates I am buying and trying in my search for decent ‘supermarket grade’ chocolate.

Please note:  My review is based solely on Traidcraft’s 70% Dark Chocolate. This is not a review about Traidcraft themselves or any other products, services or business they may offer.

Brand name: Traidcraft

Certified Organic: Yes

 Fair trade: Yes

 Rainforest alliance friendly: Nowhere on packaging or website does it say it is rainforest alliance friendly.

 Palm oil free: Nowhere on the packaging or website does it say it is palm oil free, but it’s definitely not a listed ingredient either.

 Dairy Free: not a listed ingredient, but warns may contain traces of milk.

 Grain/gluten free: From what I can gather from the ingredients list, it is grain and gluten free.

 Blend or single origin: Although not specified, I’m pretty sure it’s a blend as they do state the use cacao grown in various countries.

 Contains nuts: Not the 70% dark chocolate one I tried for this review.

 Any plastic in the packaging: Sadly yes. Although the outer packaging is paper/light cardboard the chocolate is wrapped and sealed in plastic.

 Net Weight per package: 100g

 Owned and made in: Packaging states it is made in Germany, though I gather from the website they originate in the United Kingdom.

 Where I bought it: Klose’s Foodland, Littlehampton.

 Website: http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/

 Review:

2 out of 5 stars.

As you can tell from my score, I wasn’t that impressed with this 70% Dark Chocolate. For me, it really lived up to the low quality one has come to expect from ‘supermarket grade’ chocolate.

Huge hats off to them for being Fairtrade, organic and ‘suitable for vegetarians’ but I found the chocolate lacked depth and lustre and I’m finding I have an almost soapy after taste in my mouth. Never a good feeling, and often the result of choosing a less than great chocolate.

I’m also not a fan of plastic wrapped chocolate for a few reasons. One- it does change the taste of the chocolate. Two – that’s something I now need to add to the landfill of this world rather than recycle or compost.

Another disappointment is there is no mention of rainforest accreditation or any suggestions that they support Fairtrade workers outside of ensuring they buy their cacao from Fairtrade farmers. Other chocolates I have reviewed go that extra mile and actually give back to the community more than just buy stuff from the right place. I’m not saying Traidcraft don’t do more for the Fairtrade cause or the environment… they just don’t mention it anywhere on their packaging or website.

Now, although this review is not about Traidcraft, I do have to say this – chocolate is not the only thing they are making or doing. They seem to be out there to do the very best for people in developing countries and a huge thumbs up for all their efforts. But, sadly, this does mean their focus isn’t really on making a world class, readily available chocolate. And it shows in this product.

Sadly, I can’t see myself buying it again. For the price, and from the same Supermarket, there are far nicer tasting organic, Fairtrade chocolates (who are also appear to be more eco-friendly).

In summary – If you’re a lover of strong, dark and smooth tasting chocolate, leave this one on the shelf and look for that elsewhere.

Until next time,

Janis. XXOO