Intense Dark 72 Percent Cacao Dark Chocolate Squares (Pack of 50)

I subscribe to a service, www.consumerlab.com ("CL"), that conducts tests of supplements for purity and efficacy, as well as providing information about recent studies and government guidelines on the supplements. According to CL, studies have shown that consumption of flavanols, an antioxidant found in chocolate, can lower blood pressure and increase HDL ("good") cholesterol. CL tested a variety of cocoa powders and dark chocolates, and it evaluated each product based on a number of factors: 1) flavanol content; 2) concentrations of cadmium and lead; 3) calories; 4) cost; and 5) taste. Of the eating (not baking) chocolates tested, Ghirardelli Intense Dark 72 Percent Cacao Twilight Delight chocolate was the CL staff favorite for its high concentration of flavanols, low concentration of metals, reasonable calories and cost per serving, and sweet, smooth taste.(See https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Cocoa_Powders_and_Chocolates_Sources_of_Flavanols/cocoa-flavanols/ - subscription required to see full report.)I decided to make this chocolate a regular part of my diet and began looking for a cost-effective source. I was thrilled to see that I could buy a box of 50 individually wrapped squares from this vendor on Amazon.We got off to a rocky start, because the seller misaddressed my first package. It eventually got to me, but many of the squares had melted and re-solidified, which negatively affected their taste and texture. After I complained, however, they sent me another box for free, packed in dry ice to ensure that it would not melt. I can't imagine that it would be cost-effective (or environmentally friendly) for them to pack every order that way, but I appreciated the effort and was pleased with the second box. I recommend ordering at a time of year when the weather is temperate to reduce the chances that your product will be affected the way my first box was.This is excellent dark chocolate, and it comes in a lovely Ghirardelli-branded box that is designed with a little flap that allows you to easily grab a packet without having to open the entire thing. Very nice.

Nice for a good snack.

pass out to women as treat and thank you. Amazing responses. some ask for more

Some pieces where broken or melted

Best available on Amazon

Love the 72%. Not too sweet and not too bland. Just the right amount of sweet and bitter.However, paying $45 for 50 pieces is rather ludicrous, hence I waited and one day, BAM!$17 per box! It was a day I found GOD & Lord himself. Lol. Pretty good stuff. Easy to gift, bribe kids with, and enjoy as an appetizer or mini desert.

I guess there is better and I know there is way worse but this is just about at the right spot for cocoa content and it is one of the few low in heavy metals.

We love these chocolate. Just perfect flavor without all the sugar. This is an easy way to have them around without having to buy them in small packages or bar (especially messy!!).