95% Wicked Dark with Almonds vs. Salted Almond: Which Bold Bar to Choose?

Quick Answer

If you crave intense, low-sugar dark chocolate with a gritty stone-ground texture, choose the 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds. If you prefer a slightly sweeter, nuttier bar with a hint of salt, the Sea Salt & Almond (80% dark) is your match. Both are organic and stone-ground, but they deliver very different levels of boldness.

When you're choosing between Taza's darkest bars, the decision often comes down to how much cacao you can handle and how you like your chocolate to feel in your mouth. The 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds and the Sea Salt & Almond bar are both boldly dark, but they cater to different palates.

This comparison breaks down the key differences based on their cacao percentages, ingredients, and flavor profiles, so you can pick the right bar for your next snack or baking project.

Cacao Percentage and Sweetness: The Core Trade-Off

The most obvious difference is the cacao content. The 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds sits at an intense 95% cacao, leaving very little room for sugar. Expect a deep, almost bitter chocolate flavor that lingers. In contrast, the Sea Salt & Almond bar is 80% dark, which still qualifies as bold but offers noticeably more sweetness and a smoother, more approachable taste.

If you're new to high-percentage dark chocolate, the 80% bar is a sensible starting point. If you're already a fan of ultra-dark bars and want to minimize sugar, the 95% option is the more extreme choice. Both bars use organic cane sugar, but the amount differs significantly.

• 95% Wicked Dark: 95% cacao, very low sugar, intense and bitter.
• Sea Salt & Almond: 80% cacao, moderate sweetness, balanced with sea salt.
• Choose based on your tolerance for bitterness and your sugar preferences.

Texture and Mouthfeel: Stone Ground Character

Taza's stone grinding process gives both bars a distinctive, rustic texture. The 95% bar has a coarser, more granular feel that some describe as 'sandy' or 'gritty'—it's an acquired taste. The Sea Salt & Almond bar, while still stone ground, feels slightly smoother because of the higher sugar content and the addition of almonds.

If you enjoy chocolate that feels substantial and less creamy, the 95% bar's texture is part of its charm. If you prefer a more conventional chocolate bar consistency, the 80% Sea Salt & Almond is closer to what you might expect.

• Stone ground = uneven, rustic texture in both bars.
• 95% bar is grittier; Sea Salt & Almond is slightly smoother.
• Texture is a key factor—try both to see which you prefer.

Flavor Combinations: Almonds and Sea Salt

Both bars feature almonds, but they play different roles. The Sea Salt & Almond bar combines fresh roasted almonds with a sprinkle of sea salt, creating a classic sweet-salty-nutty profile that complements the 80% dark chocolate. The salt enhances the chocolate's flavor and balances the bitterness.

The 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds (as per the product name) focuses on almonds too, but the extreme cacao content means the chocolate's intensity dominates. The almonds provide a textural contrast and a mild nuttiness, but they don't soften the bitter edge. If you want a bar where the almonds stand out, the Sea Salt & Almond is the better bet.

• Sea Salt & Almond: almonds and sea salt shine, balancing sweetness.
• 95% Wicked Dark: almonds are more subtle against the cacao intensity.
• For a balanced nut flavor, go with 80% Sea Salt & Almond.

Trade-Offs at a Glance

• Flavor Intensity: The 95% Wicked Dark is brutally intense with almost no sugar, while the 80% Sea Salt & Almond is bold but more balanced. Choose 95% if you love extreme dark; choose 80% for everyday boldness.
• Sweetness Level: 95% has very low sugar, making it ideal for low-sugar diets; 80% has moderate sweetness that appeals to most palates. If sugar is a concern, 95% is the clear winner.
• Nuts and Salt: Sea Salt & Almond highlights roasted almonds and sea salt; the 95% bar's almonds are secondary to the cacao. For a nut-forward bar, go with 80% Sea Salt & Almond.

Bar Facts at a Glance

• Sea Salt & Almond: Perfectly unrefined 80% dark stone ground organic chocolate with a crave-worthy combo of fresh roasted almonds and a sprinkle of sea salt. This bar offers a balanced flavor with moderate sweetness and a salty kick, making it an approachable entry into high-percentage dark chocolate.
• Boldest Dark Gift Box: Contains 6 Amaze Bars and 6 Mexican-style Chocolate Discs, ranging from 70%-95% cacao, including the 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds. If you can't decide between the 95% and 80%, this gift box lets you taste a range of Taza's darkest bars to find your favorite.

Which Bar Should You Choose?

Best for

• Hardcore dark chocolate fans who crave intense cacao flavor and minimal sugar.
• Bakers looking for a high-percentage chocolate to balance sweet recipes.

Not for

• Those new to dark chocolate or who prefer sweeter, creamier bars.
• Anyone seeking a strong nut flavor—choose the Sea Salt & Almond instead.

Both the 95% Wicked Dark with Almonds and the Sea Salt & Almond bar are outstanding examples of bold, organic stone-ground chocolate. Your choice boils down to how much intensity you can handle and whether you want the almonds and salt to play a supporting role or a starring one. If you're undecided, consider sampling a range of Taza's dark bars to find your personal sweet spot.