Kcal 478 Fat 27.3g Carbs 50.5g (per 100.0g)It has taken me a while but I am a slowly making my through Green & Black's extensive range and this week I have been trying out their 'Mint' variant. Described as 'dark chocolate with a mint fondant centre' this bar didn't exactly sound like a new proposition - especially since it was only a week or so ago I was trying a very similar product from Bendicks. Taking a look back at the scores of some similar sounding products, with only a few aside this combination is one that can generally be quite unremarkable e.g. Nestle After Eight. In fact a little dig through the archives shows that the only manufactures to have scored over 7.5 for this combo are Ghiradelli and Bendicks - no pressure then!
Despite the bar coming in the usual 100.0g Green & Black's size it was split into different shaped blocks to normal. Instead of the standard tiny sized flat blocks this bar was formed of some bigger filled pieces which held a nice serving of mint fondant within each. Personally I thought this did wonders for the presentation of the product and at last I was really pleased to see something a little different from the Green & Black's brand. Just as I noted on the 'Ginger' review last week G&B's have started flipping the placement of their primary brown and secondary flavour indicative colours on their wrappers. Again I thought the greater presence of the dark green made the product have more stand out on shelf and just made the product look more interesting - I can only hope G&B's plan to do this across their entire range. One thing I have never had a problem with is the inner gold foil wrapper which kept the chocolate both looking and smelling fresh releasing some fragrant mint and cocoa scents as soon as I broke the seal.
One thing that I did find quite humorous about this bar was the ingredients list as it had the word 'organic' in it no fewer than twelve times. I understand pushing the organic credentials of the bar but surely a simply 'made with organic ingredients' line would have sufficed. Putting this to a side having not had such a great time with G&B's last dark chocolate variant I was pleased to see that they ramped up the strength somewhat and used their 70% recipe instead of their 60% formulation with this bar. Although this may only seem like a number the actual difference in the taste was very noticeable and the chocolate tasted far stronger with coffee and red wine notes complimenting the underlying cocoa flavours nicely, leaving a lasting impression in the mouth. Admittedly the chocolate wasn't the most rounded in terms of taste and was about to verge on what I would describe as bitter until the mint fondant came to the party. The mint fondant itself was of a pretty good quality and it blended nicely into the melt of the chocolate without a grainy texture like many fondants I have had before. The fondant was sweet but never poweringly so and delivered a fresh tasting peppermint flavour element that complimented the dark chocolate nicely. This was a chocolate best eaten in small quantities and was a nice to eat just a few blocks at a time after an evening meal.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this Green & Black's bar and I am pleased I can finally write something positive about a bar from their range. I guess the best way to sum this bar up would be to describe it as a posher version of Nestle After Eight. I would say that in comparison both the dark chocolate and mint fondant were of a better quality and combined made for a nicely rounded overall taste. One of the things I was most pleased to see was that the 70% dark chocolate was far greater in terms of taste in comparison to some of the milder G&B's dark chocolates that I have reviewed recently. As I have commented above this was a chocolate that was best enjoyed in small portions and I would not recommend it as one that should be eaten in vast quantities at a time. In comparison to some of the dark chocolate and mint fondant combinations I mentioned at the start of the review this wasn't the best out of the lot but I would certainly say it was in the same league and worthy of a try if it takes your fancy.
8.0 out of 10
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13 comments:
Stop press jim actually likes something from green blacks :)
I might even try this myself now.
Yum I love bar and I haven't had it for ages. It used to be quite difficult to find but now my local tesco stock it so it isn't anymore. I shall buy some tonight.
Rxxx
my sister had one of these the other day and i tried some. only had one or two bits but from what i tried i didn't think it was amazing. it wasn't any better than what you get with after eights.
I must try this, I was avoiding it as I had given a bar to my uncle as a gift once and he wasn't impressed. I like G&B's 70% chocolate though so you've convinced me to give it a try Jim! I think maybe G&B are better at dark chocolate than milk.
Phil if you like the 70% you should try their 85%. It isn't bitter like you would think it would be but just even richer tasting. I strongly suggest it lol.
As for this mint flavour I have never tried it but I am convinced after reading this that it must be good. I will let you know what I think Jim.
I think it is a fair conclusion to come to that Green and black dark chocolate is better than the milk chocolate.
All the milk choclate ones I have had before have disappointed but I really liked their ginger and cherry dark chocolates.
Great work Jim!
The wrapper looks so much better now than it did do. They have done it to the rest of the flavours now.
This looks interesting, the bigger blocks look much better as does the more colourful wrapper! I wish there were more orange bars around though, it seems to be all mint these days lol. Look at aero's - theyre reduced to just milk and mint now lol
Dare I mention I want to see the caramel flvour reviewed again lol *runs*
I agree with the no name person the recent swap to this style of designs look so much better. The ones they had before were just so brown and boring. Things are on the up for Green blacks I feel.
David
I have been complimentry about their chocolates before. First Motezumas and Nestle and now people are saying I have an agenda against G&B's!??? What is going on? I judge every bar on its merits.
George
That is a fair shout it isn't that much better than after eights, though I know which I would prefer given an either/or situation.
Rachel
Indeed this one does seem to be in most places that stock G&B's now. Worth trying if you haven't already.
Phil
I think you could be on to something there. Most their dark chocolates are superior the milk chocolates.
If/when you give this a try be sure to let me know what you think chap. I always enjoy getting your opinion.
Steven
Yep the 85% is pretty damn good and your right in saying it isn't as bitter as you would expect.
JT
You liked the cherry one :o Oh dear you aren't going to enjoy one of my upcoming reviews haha.
Anon
They do look better don't they. Agreed on that.
Alan
Do G&B's do an orange flavoured chocolate? I can't remember!? It would be interesting to see what they could do with a dark chocolate and orange fondant filled chocolate! It would be good to see them give that a go.
Golden
It is one the way don't you worry! The Cherry flavour is up first though!
Freddie
Is this your first post? Apologies if not but welcome to the blog if it is.
I agree the old wrappers were awful and these more colourful ones do look far better. I think they are rolling it out across the range now.
Thanks for the views everyone
JIM
I've never seen a G&B orange flavoured chocolate.. thats what I mean lol all mint and other new fancy flavours but orange seems to be very neglected these days. I'd be intrigued to see them do an orange chocolate.
Alan
Yep it would be good wouldn't it! If your reading this G&B we want to see it SO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
JIM
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