Babaevsky Bitter Dark Chocolate with Almond and Cognac, 2.64 oz (75g)

Moscow's oldest chocolate house. Babaevsky has been making chocolate since 1804, and the gold-and-brown wrapper with the factory building on it has barely changed in decades. Their Горький — bitter — is the bar the brand is known for.

58.6% cocoa, which puts it squarely in dark territory without being austere. What sets it apart from a plain dark bar is what goes in alongside: almond kernel paste at 4.9%, a whisper of tea, and a trace of cognac. The cognac is 0.3% — far too little to taste as alcohol, but it rounds the edge off the bitterness and gives the finish a faint warmth.

Six pieces to a serving. Good with strong black tea, which is how it is usually eaten at home.

Ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa powder, almond kernel mass (4.9%), emulsifiers: soya lecithin E322 (less than 1%), ethers of polyglycerol and interesterified ricinoleic acids E476; rectified ethyl alcohol (0.4%), cognac (0.3%) (cognac spirits, sugar syrup, colouring agent caramel colour I E150a, drinking water), tea, flavourings "Vanilla" and "Almond". Content of cocoa products — 58.6%.

Allergens — contains: almond and soya lecithin. May contain small amounts of peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews and milk products.

Nutrition — 1.8 servings per container, serving size 6 pieces (40 g): 210 calories, total fat 14 g (22% DV), saturated fat 8 g (40% DV), trans fat 0 g, cholesterol 0 mg, sodium 0 mg, total carbohydrate 17 g (6% DV), dietary fibre 4 g (16% DV), total sugars 14 g including 14 g added sugars (28% DV), protein 3 g, calcium 23 mg (2% DV), iron 3 mg (17% DV), potassium 200 mg (6% DV).

Net mass 75 g (2.64 oz). Babaevsky Confectionery Concern AO, Moscow, Russia. Store at 15–21°C, away from direct sunlight.