Indulging my Dark Side at Trader Joe's

by Sonia Lyris

Chocolate is a regular and, yes, daily part of my diet. Since I don't eat wheat and avoid most sugar, dark chocolate -- high cocoa content -- is my preferred indulgence.

Frankly I go through a lot of the dark stuff, so I'm often playing on the line between high quality and good value. Trader Joe's has an impressive variety of chocolates, even if you limit yourself to the dark side, so there's plenty to explore.

For years my daily, low-fuss, high-value, bring-to-parties chocolate has been Trader Joe's brand "Pound Plus" 72 percent dark, imported from Belgium. Trader Joe’s has it on the shelves for pushing two decades and at about four bucks a pound, it's a fine deal on dark chocolate.

Now, 72 percent is about as low as I'll typically go without good reason to stray toward the light. This chocolate is solid, no-nonsense stuff with a decent smoothness and a direct-yet-respectful taste. The price hasn't risen much over the last 10 years and the quality hasn't gone down, making it a solid value. You can get it with nuts but because of my purist sensibilities (and because nut allergies can be costly) I go for the pure.

I've developed a cute technique whereby I take the pound bar and snap it sharply against a stone or tile counter to break it into the perforated pieces before opening the bag. If you do it right, the bag stays intact, and you have ready pieces to offer when you (carefully) tear it open. I'm probably overly proud of this acquired skill. (Unlike my one-time attempt to achieve the same result with my head, which I have to advise you not try. It seemed like a good idea at the time.)

For a contrast to the pounder, let's look at something a little fancier: TJ's Fair Trade Swiss Dark, 71 percent, at $1.99 for 3.5 oz bar.

This chocolate has a smooth texture and a yummy, fruity taste. For a dark, it's surprisingly bright and full of, well, of lively optimism. It's rare to find a dark chocolate that tastes happy and this one does.

For value alone, the pounder wins. For taste, there's something charming and delightful about the Fair Trade Swiss. If I'm off to a big house party, it's the pounder, for sure. A smaller dinner party? For the same price grab two of these Fair Trade Swiss bars, and you'll be the cool one who brought the good stuff no one's ever heard of.

Seattle-based Sonia Lyris says, “Follow me through the streets of Seattle, from the bright boulevards to the shady alleys, as I explore the best--and worst-- the Emerald City has to offer lovers of the dark side of chocolate.”

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