World Market Brand Chocolate Bars

During the 1950s, a San Francisco businessman and importer began selling goods from one of the city’s piers. Crates were unloaded and locals lined up to buy.

Eventually, he opened a store and called it Cost Plus World Market. Unique and handmade items were sold at cost, plus ten percent – hence, the origin of the name.

Today, there are over 260 Cost Plus World Market physical stores and online shopping at www.worldmarket.com.

I have tried two World Market store brand chocolates; 72% Dark Chocolate and Ecuador Dark.  Both bars were a disappointment. 

The 72% dark bar had a mild fruity flavor and aroma which were soon masked by a strong coconut flavor.  I did not like the coconut flavor in large part because I was not expecting it and also because it morphed into an unpleasant aftertaste.  The bar was not very interesting.

The single origin Ecuador bar was somewhat gritty, bloomed, and crumbled instead of snapped.  My guess is that it was either shipped or stored improperly.  I can’t comment on the flavor because there wasn’t any.

Additional selections with the World Market label are:
- 99% Dark Chocolate
- Milk
- Pomegranate
- Chipotle Chili
- Sea Salt

According to the World Market website, consumer reviews speak highly of the Sea Salt variety and the Milk Chocolate bar.  I am willing to give these a try but I admit I’ll start out skeptical.

All the chocolate bars were priced at $1.99.  Remember last week’s review of Trader Joe’s Swiss Milk?  That bar was also priced at $1.99.  But compared to the Trader Joe’s chocolate, World Market can’t come close in taste or value.

Bryn Kirk

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