Taza Chocolate Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Bar

Walking into the world of Taza Chocolate can feel a little overwhelming at first. With stone-ground bars ranging from 50% to 95% cacao, plus flavors like ginger, sea salt, and toffee, it’s easy to wonder where to start. The good news? Taza’s lineup is thoughtfully designed, so there’s a bar for every palate—you just need to know what to look for.

This buying guide will walk you through the key factors: cacao percentage, flavor additions, and texture. Whether you’re a dark chocolate veteran or a complete beginner, you’ll leave with the confidence to pick your next favorite Taza bar.

Start with the Cacao Percentage

The first thing to understand is the cacao percentage on the wrapper. This number tells you how much of the bar is made from cacao beans and cocoa butter, versus sugar and other ingredients. A higher percentage means a more intense, less sweet chocolate with deeper bitter notes. Taza offers a range from 50% (milk chocolate) to 95% (extra dark), so there’s something for every tolerance.

If you’re new to dark chocolate, start around 70% to 75%. Bars like the Sea Salt & Almond sit in this sweet spot—rich but approachable, with a touch of salt to balance the bitterness. For a bold, adventurous palate, the 95% Wicked Dark delivers a powerful, almost savory experience that’s best enjoyed in small pieces. If you’re still unsure, try a couple of different percentages side by side to see where your preference lies.

• 50-60%: Sweet, creamy, great for beginners
• 70-80%: Balanced, classic dark chocolate
• 85-95%: Intense, low sugar, for experienced dark chocolate lovers

Consider Flavor Additions

Taza’s stone-ground bars often include mix-ins that change the flavor and texture. Nuts, sea salt, ginger, and toffee are common additions that can either soften the bitterness or add a new dimension. For example, the Triple Nut Crunch combines almonds, hazelnuts, and cashews for a satisfyingly crunchy bar that pairs well with coffee. If you prefer something simpler, the 100% Totally Dark Chocolate Chunks are pure, unadulterated cacao with no added sugar—perfect for baking or for those who want the purest expression of the bean.

Flavored bars can also be a great entry point. The 95% Wicked Dark with Ginger adds a spicy kick that masks some of the bitterness, making it more approachable than its plain counterpart. Similarly, the Holiday Toffee, Almond, & Sea Salt Bar offers a festive mix of sweet and salty that’s hard to resist. Think about what you enjoy in other foods: if you love salty-sweet snacks, go for something with sea salt; if you’re a fan of spice, ginger might be your pick.

• Nuts add crunch and protein
• Sea salt enhances sweetness and reduces bitterness
• Ginger adds a spicy warmth
• Toffee brings a buttery, caramel note

Think About Texture and Use

Taza’s stone-ground process gives their chocolate a distinctive gritty, rustic texture that melts slowly on the tongue. Some people love this, while others prefer a smoother, more refined chocolate. If you’re new to stone-ground, you may want to start with a bar that has a softer texture, like the Hot Chocolate Mix, which is designed for drinking and has a silky consistency when prepared. For eating, the Cacao Crunch offers a lighter, airy texture thanks to the added cacao nibs.

Consider how you’ll use the chocolate. If you’re baking, the 100% Totally Dark Chocolate Chunks are ideal for melting and incorporating into recipes. If you’re looking for a snack, bars with nuts or toffee provide more substance. And if you’re planning to pair with coffee or tea, a high-percentage bar like the 95% Wicked Dark can stand up to bold brews. Also, don’t forget about the Wicked Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds—they’re a convenient, portion-controlled way to enjoy Taza on the go.

• For baking: choose unsweetened or high-percentage chunks
• For snacking: pick bars with nuts or toffee
• For pairing with coffee: go 85% or higher
• For a quick treat: try chocolate-covered almonds

Choosing a Taza chocolate bar comes down to your personal taste in sweetness, texture, and flavor. Start with the percentage to set the intensity, then look at additions that appeal to you. And don’t be afraid to experiment—Taza’s variety means there’s always something new to discover. Happy tasting!