Raaka Vanilla Rooibos 67% Cacao Chocolate Bar

I dream of this chocolate. (By this, I mean both Raaka and this flavor) I just tried some again after a few years of not having had any and remembered why so much of the chocolate I usually buy is disappointing. It's because I had gotten to used to this! It's ruined me a little. I figured I'd write some reviews to warn....errr, spread the word to others diving out into the higher end chocolate world. You may never go back.If you like Rooibos tea, this is your bar (also known as Red tea or Bush tea.) I've been disappointed with some high end chocolate that touts an intriguing flavor combination and has beautiful packaging but ultimately just doesn't deliver/is annoyingly subtle or average. If I buy rooibos chocolate, I want to get the rooibos experience. With this, it's totally there and so is the vanilla, and both pair in such a satisfying way with the darkness and richness of the chocolate. There's almost a subtle tang about it, something that really sets it apart and keeps me coming back. The texture has a subtle dryness and grittiness about it, while still being rich and creamy. This is the kind of chocolate you could have a small square of and feel totally indulged. But that doesn't mean I always stop there ;-) I love that there are so few ingredients and yet sooo much flavor.This chocolate is best eaten slowly, at room temp and truly savored and melted on the tongue for as long as you can make it last. I imagine it'd be killer with red wine or light roast coffee (or even rooibos tea! ha). It's definitely a pricier bar at $8/each, but it *feels* like it. I consider this a real treat when I want to gift myself or a friend. The sounds that it elicits are as stimulating as the taste.I feel like it's relevant to share that I also support Raaka because I appreciate their values as a company: They're environmentally conscious and highly value human and economic rights. This is huge. (People, really, this is huge. If you're not already thinking about this kind of stuff, please tune in. Watch a documentary. See what's going on out there. It's brutal stuff. Educate yourself and make good choices about who you give your hard-earned money to.)

Just one word. Yummmmmm!

This is my favorite chocolate bar of all time! Not only is it vegan, but it's both simple and surprisingly complex at the same time. A lover of rooibos tea, I impulse-bought this at a gourmet market in my neighborhood. When I sat down to eat it, I only planned to break off a few pieces. However, I ate the entire bar in one sitting, savoring each and every complex bite. It really does taste like cherries and marshmallows mashed together! However, it's not too sweet. Ah, I dream about this chocolate.