Dante Confections 98% Organic Cocoa Stevia Chocolate Bars, 8 Count, Sugar-Free

Let's face it. Chocolate, all by itself is bitter. And Stevia is super sweet and also bitter. So the combination of these two ingredients creates an intense DARK CHOCOLATE that is very bitter-sweet. Not a product for beginners, but very good for those who are accustomed to and appreciate the bitter notes of true chocolate and the super bittersweet flavor of stevia. Chocolate has the potential to be a healthy superfood when it is consumed correctly - meaning that sugar and milk are not a part of the mix. When chocolate candy is created, sugar and milk are added to tone down the bitterness of the chocolate. But when people struggle with health issues, sugar is sometimes not an option, and often milk is also not an option. Furthermore, milk negates the health benefits of chocolate. According to the University of Michigan Health System, "Milk binds to antioxidants in chocolate making them unavailable; therefore, milk chocolate is not a good antioxidant source. To get the benefits of antioxidants, avoid drinking milk with dark chocolate." (I would cite my source but Amazon doesn't allow links in their reviews. Just google the terms, dairy and chocolate antioxidants, and the very first article should be the one I am referring to.) In other words, to get the health benefits of chocolate, you must consume it without sugar and without dairy. I really like the simplicity of the Dante's ingredient list: Chocolate Liqueur, Stevia, Pure Vanilla. 98% Cocoa. And as a diabetic, I am in love with the fact that there is no sugar in the mix. With this kind of list, the bitter taste is impossible to avoid. So - if you hate bitter, then don't try this. But if you like a simple, healthy, exotic and sophisticated dessert, then this might just be right up your alley. You must also understand that this in not a low calorie food. Even without sugar, there are still 260 calories per 45 gram bar AND 12 grams of carbohydrate. Most of the calories in the Dante bar come from chocolate's high quality fat. Compare to a Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar which is 190 calories per 41 gram bar and 25 grams of carbohydrate (the carbs are mostly from sugar). This isn't about low calorie, low fat or low carb. It is about the health benefits of pure chocolate and NO dairy or sugar - which is great news for diabetics who are open to new taste sensations. I think people often lose weight when using such foods because it is intense and you cannot eat much at all. A very little bit is satisfying and goes a long way. This stevia sweetened chocolate is SO intense that you might not be able to eat more than one tiny square at a time. This is where you will save on calories, fat and carbs - this chocolate is so satisfying that you will eat less and your cravings will be satisfied to the extent that binging will become a thing of the past. Or if straight chocolate is too much for you, then you can grate it and sprinkle it on top of a whipped coconut cream mousse for a touch of chocolatey flavor without the dairy and sugar. There are lots of things you can do with this, but be aware that this will NEVER taste anything remotely like a Hershey's candy bar. Do not buy this thinking you will be able to make that switch because the two do not really compare. It is better to realize that the bitterness inherent in both the chocolate and the stevia is to be appreciated and not avoided. If you can come to terms with that, you might end up being one of those people who LOVE Dante's Stevia Chocolate. If not, you will hate it. So - I am giving the 5 stars because it is sugar and dairy free and the chocolate used is organic and non-GMO. For a simple, nutrient rich, sugar free chocolate rush - I think the Dante is wonderful! However I am a long time Stevia user and am used to the taste of stevia. And, my husband and I are both used to eating 100% UNSWEETENED chocolate and we weren't surprised at the bitterness. As long as you understand what it is and what it is not, I think you might like it, too! Nutrition Facts: Serving Size - 1 bar Servings per container - 1 Calories 260 Calories from fat - 210 (remember that chocolate fat (cocoa butter) is a super healthy fat) Total Fat - 24 grams Saturated Fat - 14 grams Trans Fat - 0 grams Cholesterol - 0 grams sodium - 0 grams Total Carbohydrate - 12 grams Dietary Fiber - 7 grams Sugars - 0 grams Protein - 7 grams

This is an amazing item if it actually is what it says it is... a chocolate bar sweetened only with Stevia. Another reviewer mentions that they list "natural flavors" which the FDA allows to be used for ingredients such as aspartame... so any time you see that terminology it's a red flag. The chocolate is 98% chocolate which is notably dense and if you check out other bars in this range you'll find that they have much less sugar than lower percentage chocolates. So it is entirely plausible that this is only sweetened with Stevia. It certainly tastes like it. The chocolate has super *zing*intensity and it is expensive. With shipping it comes out to $4.75 for each 1.59 oz bar. Additionally, they really do skimp on the packing. The bars are wrapped in twos in tissue paper and dropped in a ziploc bag labeled "8 bars." But so far as I can tell it is the only chocolate of its kind and pretty damn good once you habituate to it... and you might not get used to it. But if you've been off most sweeteners for a while and use a bit of Stevia already, your palate will likely adjust. I love it and consider an excellent solution to those chocolate cravings. The vendor gave me a sample that I loved and shipped very quick when I placed my order. Always a plus when you're trying to curb cravings!

I typically eat at least 85% dark, very low sugar chocolate. I was expecting this chocolate to simply be richer and more bitter than what I'm used to. But to put it in words, this tastes like soap and the stevia sweetness is overwhelming, it's very sweet. Bottom line is that it hardly tastes like chocolate, it tastes artificial especially with the amount of stevia they put in. I read that the non-organic tastes very different, maybe I'll try that instead.

I'm sorry, I really wanted to like this. I actually DO like super strong, bitter chocolate - my problem with this is the after/under taste. Maybe it was just the batch I got? I don't know how people can stand to eat it, let-alone rate it so highly. I use stevia quite a bit at home, so it's not just an issue with the stevia taste. It tastes funky to me. I ordered the organic - maybe the other is better. I'm only giving it two stars instead of one because I appreciate what the makers are trying to do.

Great, rich tasting chocolate w/ NO sugar. However, there is a strong Stevia smell and aftertaste (bitter) in the Organic version of this great chocolate. The non-organic version simply tastes like wonderful rich chocolate with no hint of the stevia. It was difficult to get my husband to switch over to organic because of this aftertaste. I have contacted Dante and they said they will look into it. The difference must be the different variety of cacao bean.

For a while now I have been enjoying the 98% dark (non organic), today, I got the organic version...and WOW..what a difference ! I really love the rich creamy flavor, it is so delicious, much different than the other version which is also very good, but this..this is Great! especially if you love dark chocolate. Personally, I like the simple packaging and it always arrives intact and fresh, I have never had a bad experience with the shipping of this chocolate. If you are used to eating sugar a lot though it may take some getting used to, but once you cut out sugar you will appreciate the flavor even more (at least for me) Because, the first time I tried it I did not like it but as I got used to it I started loving it and now I won't buy anything else.

I put it in my smoothie.

I just received this 5 days ago and have only tried 2 small squares but it is delightfully velvety chocolate without being super bitter (yes there is some if you are not a dark chocolate afficionado). I suddenly developed an allergy to cane sugar. While I make my own candies with unweetened chocolate, agave and nuts, they must be refrigerated and I wanted a chocolate that I could take to work or carry with me when traveling. This will work great. The rich chocolate flavor means that I will savor it rather than gobbling it down.