Best Unsweetened Chocolate Bang for the Buck

[scott123]

I haven't bought unsweetened chocolate in about 5 years, but I noticed that my brand of choice, Nestle, is off the market.  If memory serves me correctly, I could occasionally find it on sale for $2 for an 8oz. bar, $4/lb. I'm well aware that $4/lb is a pipe dream now, but I'd still like something in the $6/lb realm.

 

I grew up with Baker's brand, and I'm just not a fan.  The Nestle bar was alkalized though, and I definitely prefer alkalized chocolate, so that may be why I prefer the Nestle.  On a recent trip to the store, I noticed that the Baker's brand isn't cheap any more either. 

 

Right now, TJs is the leading candidate.  I'm going to have to convert all my recipes from unsweetened to sweetened chocolate, which is going to be a pain in the behind, but, at $5 for 500g, at 72% cocoa solids, that gives me about a $6/lb unsweetened equivalent (subtracting some for the value of the sugar).  I made chocolate milk from some 54% TJs the other day, and was surprised by how fibrous it was (underconching, I'd presume), but that wouldn't impact cake or brownies.

Edited October 22, 2018 by scott123 (log)

[Kerry Beal]

Callebaut makes cocoa mass.

[pastrygirl]

Guittard is decent if you can get that, or try the super dark bars at TJ.  I know they have a Valrhona 85%, maybe even something darker.

[Metztli]

For unsweetened chocolate, I like Scharffen Berger. I see that Target has the 9.7 oz bars for $5.99. That's still going to be closer to $10/lb though. 

[keychris]

7 hours ago, pastrygirl said:

Guittard is decent if you can get that, or try the super dark bars at TJ.  I know they have a Valrhona 85%, maybe even something darker.

 

7 hours ago, Kerry Beal said:

Callebaut makes cocoa mass.

 

Neither of those will be anywhere near the price point that @scott123 is looking for though, will they?

[Kerry Beal]

1 hour ago, keychris said:

 

 

Neither of those will be anywhere near the price point that @scott123 is looking for though, will they?

True that - I guess I usually buy wholesale and get better pricing.

[pastrygirl]

4 hours ago, keychris said:

 

 

Neither of those will be anywhere near the price point that @scott123 is looking for though, will they?

 

I think Guittard is relatively inexpensive, but like Kerry I'm accustomed to bulk/wholesale pricing.  I guess any decent bar is going to be relatively high by the pound.