Chof

80-89% Cocoa Chocolate

211 chocolate bars in this cocoa range.

From 80% to 89%, bars are cocoa-led, low in sugar and structurally driven, so the roasting profile dominates and any post-harvest defect shows up sharply.

Most common tasting notes at this cocoa percentage: fruity, citrus, floral, honey, nutty and intense.

Quick answer

What is 80-89% cocoa chocolate?

80% to 89% cocoa chocolate is cocoa-forward dark chocolate. Roughly 12% to 20% of the bar is sugar, enough to make it approachable while the cocoa stays clearly in charge. The roast profile leads the flavour, and any post-harvest faults in the beans show up sharply.

This is the range for dark-chocolate drinkers ready to step beyond 70%. There is still real flavour development from the sugar, but the structure is leaner and more savoury. Roast-forward, cocoa-led and lower in sweetness, an 85% is a good place to learn how roasting shapes a bar, because the roast is loud and the sugar is quiet.

Because there is little sweetness to round things off, the gap between a careful maker and a careless one widens here. The best 80s taste deep and clean; weaker ones taste burnt or sour.

Top origins in this cocoa range

Most active makers at this cocoa percentage

Other cocoa ranges

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Frequently asked about 80-89% cocoa chocolate

  • Is 85% chocolate healthier than 70%?

    An 85% bar has more cocoa solids and less sugar than a 70%, so per gram it carries more cocoa flavanols and minerals and less sugar. Whether that matters depends on how much you eat. The bigger difference most people notice is taste, not nutrition.

  • What does 80% dark chocolate taste like?

    Cocoa-led and only lightly sweet, with the roast profile out front. Depending on the origin you may taste dark fruit, nuts, coffee, earth or spice. It is more intense and more savoury than a 70% bar, but still rounder than a 90%.

  • How much sugar is in 80% to 89% chocolate?

    Typically around 12% to 20% of the bar, with cocoa solids and cocoa butter making up the rest. Recipes vary, so the wrapper is the only exact source.

  • What does 80-89% cocoa chocolate taste like?

    From 80% to 89%, bars are cocoa-led, low in sugar and structurally driven, so the roasting profile dominates and any post-harvest defect shows up sharply.

  • Which tasting notes show up most often at this cocoa percentage?

    Across the bars on Chof in this cocoa range, the most frequent flavor notes are fruity, citrus, floral, honey, nutty and intense.

  • How many 80-89% cocoa chocolate bars are listed on Chof?

    Chof currently lists 211 bars in this cocoa range.

  • Which origins are most common in this cocoa range?

    The most common cacao origins for bars in this cocoa range on Chof are Ecuador, Peru, India, Colombia, Dominican Republic.

  • Which makers are most active in this cocoa range?

    The makers with the most bars on Chof at this cocoa percentage are kamm, Taza, Pridi Cacaofevier, Zotter, Essenzo Cacao.

Learn more

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