Chocolate Tasting Notes: From 40% White Matcha to 86% Peru
By Onyx Coffee Lab - Coffee Roasters • Café • Barista Training | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: Product Reviews
Explore a range of Onyx chocolate bars from creamy white matcha to bold 86% dark. This guide helps you choose based on flavor, texture, and use.
Quick answer
For a guided chocolate tasting, start with the creamy 40% White Matcha for a sweet, textured entry, then move to the complex 69% Madagascar, and finish with the bold yet approachable 86% Peru Dark.
Why tasting order matters
Tasting chocolate from lowest to highest cacao percentage lets your palate adjust gradually. Starting with a high-percentage bar can overwhelm your taste buds and mask the subtle flavors of lighter chocolates.
Texture and ingredients add complexity
Not all chocolate bars are smooth. Some include crunchy or chewy elements that change the tasting experience. The 40% White Matcha bar includes toasted sesame seeds and honey ginger crystals, which add texture and a savory-sweet contrast.
Your chocolate tasting decision rules
- Start with the lightest: Begin with the 40% White Matcha. Its creamy white chocolate base and crunchy mix-ins make it an easy, enjoyable start.
- Move to a single-origin: Next, taste the 69% Madagascar. Its fruity, complex flavor profile showcases how origin affects cacao taste. Notice how the Madagascar bar's flavor changes as it melts—this is a hallmark of well-crafted single-origin chocolate.
- Finish with the boldest: End with the 86% Peru Dark. Despite its high cacao content, it remains smooth and not overly bitter.
Chocolate bars at a glance
- 40% White | Matcha: Made with Organic Matcha from Kagoshima, this white chocolate includes toasted sesame seeds, salt, and honey ginger crystals for texture. The added textures make this bar more of an experience than a simple sweet; ideal for those who enjoy crunchy, layered confections.
40% White | Matcha - 86% Peru | Dark: At 86% cacao, this dark chocolate is surprisingly approachable and boasts high antioxidant levels. It offers the health benefits of dark chocolate without the intense bitterness typical of high-percentage bars, making it a good entry point for dark chocolate newcomers.
Which bar fits you?
Best for
- Those new to dark chocolate who want a healthful option without harsh bitterness (86% Peru Dark)
- Matcha lovers or adventurous snackers who enjoy texture in their chocolate (40% White Matcha)
Not for
- Anyone who prefers a completely smooth, uniform chocolate bar without inclusions (avoid 40% White Matcha)
- Tasters seeking a very sweet, milky chocolate (avoid 86% Peru Dark)
