I have previously tried some Cuban chocolates, see Cuban Chocolates (Part 1). During my last visit to Havana I found two new Cuban chocolate brands that I have never seen before. The Baracoa Chocolate Fundente was a sweet, dark chocolate containing a minimum of 30% cocoa solids. It was made with sugar, cocoa liqueur, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, PGPR and vanilla (PGPR is Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate or E476, an emulsifier made from castor beans which reduces the viscosity of chocolate, according to Wikipedia). Weight: 50 g. The chocolate was made by Empresa Derivados del Cacao in Baracoa, Guantanamo, Cuba; the area where the best Cuban cocoa is grown. The flavor was very sweet with a strong natural vanilla flavor (in contrast to vanillin, which is most commonly used in chocolate manufacturing), in the same was as many other Cuban chocolates.
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Semisweet premium chocolate bar.
Flavor: 
At Havana airport I found Chocolate Artesanal Aurora, which according to the wrap is made with the best selection of Cuban cacao. Weight: 100 g. This chocolate was also made with cacao from Baracoa, and produced by Instituto de Investigaciones para la Industria Alimenticia, in Havana. Two types were available: with almonds or with hazelnuts. The cacao content was not stated, but it was a semisweet dark chocolate with fairly high sugar content. The almonds were in my opinion too much roasted.
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Semisweet premium chocolate bar.
Flavor:
[Photos: Hal]
Hal Chocolate brands, Chocolate tasting cuba
Cuba is producing high-quality cacao beans, however, the production is limited. In spite of the US embargo some cacao beans are exported. Lindt in Switzerland is producing a specialty chocolate made with exclusively Cuban cacao beans. It is semi-sweet and contains 55% cocoa solids; no other vegetable fat is added and it does not contain any milk. This chocolate has a weak fruity note and a fairly strong vanilla flavor. It is one of the best chocolates in “Lindt Excellence” series of specialty chocolates. Because of the US embargo I guess that it will be difficult to obtain this chocolate in the USA [Chocolate photo: Hal]
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Semisweet premium chocolate bar.
Flavor: 
Hal Chocolate brands, Chocolate tasting cuba
Another manufacturer using Cuban cacao beans is La Molina in Tuscany, Italy. According to Gustiamo “La Molina is known for its exceptional quality and has quickly gained recognition across the world. What comes out from its workspace today is an innovative chocolate production distinguished by an unmistakably smooth, round taste, a pure chocolate aroma, and the presence of the best available ingredients.”
La Molina Cuba is a bittersweet chocolate containing 70% cocoa solids. The flavor is rich, slightly bitter with some fruity flavor. A good chocolate!
Editor’s rating:
Type: Bittersweet premium chocolate bar.
Flavor:
[Photo: Hal]
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Hal Chocolate brands, Chocolate tasting, Specialty chocolates cuba, italy
Some of the world’s best cacao beans are grown in the eastern part of Cuba. These cacao beans are exported to European chocolate manufacturers, like Lindt, and also used by Cuban chocolate manufacturers. Here are some nice Cuban chocolate bars:
Ciokito Chocolate Fundente, 25 grams, dark sweet chocolate made by Stella SA, Havana, Cuba. This chocolate bar has a marked vanilla flavor.
Ciokito Leche, 25 grams, milk chocolate made by Stella SA, Havana, Cuba. Rich flavor, 
marked vanilla content. A very good milk chocolate compared to the average types available in Europe and North America.
Gustazo Fundente, 50 grams, dark sweet chocolate containing minimum 40% chocolate solids. Made by Stella SA, Havana, Cuba. 
It has a strong vanilla flavor. Better than many European and North American ordinary dark chocolates [Photos of chocolate bars by Hal].
Editor’s Rating:
Type: Sweet dark chocolate or milk chocolate bars.
Flavor:
Comment: better than many other types of bulk chocolate.
See also Cuban Chocolates (Part 2)
Hal Chocolate brands, Chocolate tasting cuba
In the old centre of Havana (Habana Vieja, Cuba), which has been beautifully restored, you can find a small building with the sigh “Museo del Chocolate” in Calle Amargura. It is not actually a museum; it is more like a small chocolate cafe where you can drink hot chocolate and buy chocolate truffles and candies [Photo: Hal].
Hal Chocolate cafes cuba