Ultimate Darkness: Capital Choco-list

Genuine chocolate lovers never feel afraid of climbing to higher and higher heights of pure cacao in their chocolate - 99% and even 100% are available. Such purity is exceptionally rare, but not rare in followers. Are these delights available in Beijing? While not a Western gourmet capital yet, this capital city may surprise you with its chocolate offerings.

99% cocoa - Debauve & Gallais (France, since 1800)

Appointed the official chocolatier to the kings of France, a country whose chocolate stands out as the least sweetened chocolate in the world, Debauve also had a follower within the Russian court, as the tsars traditionally favored the darkest chocolates to accompany their strongest vodkas. Using beans from Caracas, Maracaibo, Magdelaine, Soconusco and Guayaquil, the remaining 1% that is not chocolate is equally sugar and vanilla extract. Debauve chocolates can be bought by the piece (RMB 19 for 5.5g) or in boxes (RMB 150 for 100g). Chocolate this fine should cost a fortune.

100% cocoa - Slitti (Italy, since 1986)

Italian artisanal chocolatier Andrea Slitti, formerly a coffee expert, has applied his philosophy on coffee beans to cacaos. He only uses premium ingredients from Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic. Try it if you dare – the 100% cocoa CHOCOLATE bar (RMB 135 for 100g) is Slitti's ultimate creation, as the fully dark in dark chocolate. Available in Solana and Wangfujing, Slitti likely offers the only "Absolute Chocolate" in town. This Chocolate is so intense it should come with a warning sign.

99% cocoa - Cocoa Ballet (China, since 2006)

However, the final proof of an excellent chocolate lies simply in the taste. During sampling, the most edible 99% cocoa chocolate goes to Cocoa Ballet, a Beijing chain of chocolatier that offers a wide selection of Belgian chocolates. They particularly excel at dark chocolate, which are mainly made from Ecuador cocoas, making its 99% cocoa chocolate disks far more than edible, and are freely enjoyable. You can hardly resist the artful balance between subtle bitterness and roasted cocoa bouquet, not to mention the unbeatable price (RMB 29 per 50g).

Remember, to fully appreciate the flavor and texture of dark dark chocolate, you should take it slow, and develop your palate by moving up through the range of high cocoa content chocolate bars. Start with 66%-77%, then move it up to 85%/88% and finally, bite the bullet, and go for some 99%/100% cocoa. Perhaps the best way to experience 99%/100% coca dark chocolate is to nibble at one chocolate piece while sipping some coffee. Let them melt slowly and savor the bitterness. If may not always be as tasty as some M&Ms, but for chocolate aficionados and chocoholics, it’s a must try.