Montezuma's 'The Dark Side' Milk Chocolate Review

Typical price:

£1.99

We like:

The company trade credentials; its organic certification; the fact that the chocolate is rich, so you don't need much

We don't like:

The lack of nuance flavour-wise; the slightly grainy texture; the confusing "made in the UK" claim

SmartPlanet judgement:

Tasted against competitors' products, The Dark Side comes out as a fairly standard offering despite the healthy whack of cocoa contained within. It's an uncomplicated blend which doesn't merit great excitement, but it's still better than Dairy Milk.

Score:

Contact:

Nice Car Company at http://www.montezumas.co.uk/
Telephone: +44 (0) 845 450 6306

We have definitely tried better, more refined high cocoa milks than The Dark Side, but sadly they weren't organic. This one isn't bad, and has the powerful cocoa taste you might expect. It melts less stickily than some and tastes rich -- you wouldn't want to tackle a whole bar in one sitting. The taste of the vanilla Montezuma's uses, billed as 'mouth-wateringly rich', eluded us a bit.

Montezuma's is an interesting proposition. It buys its cacao semi-processed, so its oft-repeated statement that it's made in the UK really depends on how far back in the production chain you want to go -- and whether you think it matters that it's not done bean-to-bar in the UK, because no-one else's is either. The company has an exhaustive and well-argued Trading Fairly policy, which explains why and how it deals ethically with cocoa co-ops in the Dominican Republic and Peru, despite operating outside the Fairtrade umbrella. It's nice to see an emphasis on buying quality beans, too, although we found the taste of The Dark Side unexceptional.

The Monty's factory in Chichester is certified for organic production by the Soil Association and hot water is re-circulated for heating and choc-melting. The cardboard packets are FSC certified and use water-based ink, and the inner flow-wrap is biodegradeable, though this wasn't flagged up on our pack.

Montezuma's record on corporate responsibility is appealing. It donates chocolate for charity events like Easter egg hunts, it doesn't advertise -- diverting the would-be advertising budget to better causes -- and each shop has a nominated good cause. The company also has a cycle-to-work scheme, which is probably a good idea when you work in a chocolate factory.

Score breakdown:

 

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