Vosges Super Dark Coconut Ash & Banana

Place purchased: Cost Plus World Market 

Price: $6.99

Number of reviewers: 5

Appearance - 6.4

The Vosges Super Dark bar is divided into large squares. While the bar contains "Sri Lankan coconut, charcoal coconut ash, and Hawaiian banana," there are no visible pieces within the bar. 

L: The package looks like dirt in my food.

Flavor and Taste - 6.4

The dark chocolate bar smells of coconut. However, it only tastes like very dark chocolate. 

C: Very complex. I don't really get coconut until the end and get a little banana but not overpowering.
J: Very bitter, not much else flavor. 
L: Interesting flavor, maybe a little too harsh.
S: Burnt, bitter, almost no banana. 

Texture - 5.6

The incorporation of coconut ash into the chocolate results in a very grainy texture. It feels almost like sand was mixed into the chocolate. 

C: Good texture, maybe a little dry. 
J: Grainy and gritty. Falls apart. 
L: Chalky and drying.
S: Grainy, like eating actual ash.

Aftertaste - 6.2

The coconut and banana flavor come out in the aftertaste. The bitterness from the dark chocolate also lingers awhile. 

C: Creamy, chocolate, pleasant. 
J: Slight coconut aftertaste develops. 
L: Finally get a little banana then. 
S: Bitter.

Overall - 6.3

Overall, the Vosges Super Dark Coconut Ash & Banana bar was alright. However, it could be greatly improved by the addition of more coconut and banana to improve the flavor and the complete elimination of coconut ash so the bar does not feel gritty. 

Vosges Super Dark Reishi Mushroom & Walnut

Place purchased: Cost Plus World Market 

Price: $6.99 (on sale for $3.49)

Number of reviewers: 3

Appearance - 7.3

The Vosges Super Dark Reishi Mushroom & Walnut bar is comprised of dark chocolate with small pieces of walnuts and reishi mushrooms. The bar has sleek, black packaging. However, the chocolate has bloom on the bottom of the bar. 

Flavor and Taste - 6.8

The chocolate bar has a strong dark chocolate flavor and also tastes salty and umami. The walnuts do not contribute to the flavor, and the reishi mushrooms only provide the umami taste. 

C: Doesn't have a very strong mushroom taste. Mostly just chocolate. Has a warm, savory taste. Umami/MSG is very prevalent. 

L: Savory note on back of tongue. Zero sweetness, but good.

Texture - 5.5

The chocolate has tiny crispy pieces. 

C: The chocolate is a little dry and gritty.

L: Gritty.

Aftertaste - 5.3

The aftertaste is mainly salty, umami, and to a lesser extent bitter. 

C: Mostly just tastes like chocolate.

Overall - 6.2

Overall, the Vosges Super Dark Reishi Mushroom & Walnut bar is good, but not worth its original price of $6.99. If the texture had been improved and there was more flavor from the walnuts and mushrooms, the chocolate bar would have been more enticing.