Hägeland Costa Rica 71% Dark Chocolate

Manufacturer: Hägeland
Cocoa Content: 71%
Manufacturer Website
Rating: B

Hägeland is a line of Belgian-made chocolates that have been exclusively developed for Wal-Mart. Today's tasting is a single-source bar made from Costa Rican trinitario beans. The Hägeland Costa Rica is deep brown in color with purplish-red notes. There is a deep chocolate flavor up front. Nutty undertones develop, along with some roasted, espresso-like flavors. The acidity level here is very faint. There is a distinct marshmallow note present, along with spice, peanuts and hazelnuts.

Chewing the Hägeland Costa Rica bar bring forward vanilla along with notes of hazelnuts and cherries. The finish has cocoa and marshmallow along with nutty and spicy notes in the background.

I must admit, this is a pretty good showing for a chocolate made for Wal-Mart, a mass-market retailer usually associated with budget pricing instead of high-quality. I would like to see the acidity bumped up a notch or two, and I think there is a bit too much vanilla going on, but overall this is a decent chocolate bar that's worth a taste the next time you find yourself at Wally World.