Dante Confections 98% 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.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 4 stars - deducting one star because I was unable to confirm that the chocolate used is organic and non-GMO. But 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 barServings per container - 1Calories 260Calories from fat - 210 (remember that chocolate fat (cocoa butter) is a super healthy fat)Total Fat - 24 gramsSaturated Fat - 14 gramsTrans Fat - 0 gramsCholesterol - 0 gramssodium - 0 gramsTotal Carbohydrate - 12 gramsDietary Fiber - 7 gramsSugars - 0 gramsProtein - 7 grams

I was looking for stevia sweetened chocolate while on my candida diet, and this did the trick. This is clearly good quality chocolate--it's smooth and rich in flavor and texture. It's definitely on the bitter/unsweetened-tasting side of the spectrum, so don't buy this with the expectation that it's going to taste like Lindt or Ghirardelli 70% chocolate--this is not that. But if you're dying for chocolate and need something to get you through, I find this works really well. One word of caution--if I eat a half a bar or more, I find it a bit hard to digest. It seems to cause me some gas. I usually don't have a problem with stevia, so I'm not sure why this is happening, but as long as I only eat a couple of squares a day, I seem to be doing just fine. Definitely worth the money! Oh, one slightly odd thing--it comes wrapped only in tissue paper.Update! 3-27-2012I just bought the Lucienne's 83% dark chocolate sweetened with stevia. By comparison, I have to say that the Dante's chocolate is MUCH better quality. It's richer, with a smoother texture that melts in your mouth. The Lucienne's is comparatively waxy, doesn't melt in the mouth as well, and has a overall less rich flavor. Definitely choose Dante's!

Let me start by saying that these chocolate bars are very good quality, and I love stevia. I love dark chocolate! But I don't know what I'm going to do with these eight bars, because I just don't like them. I use the NOW stevia extract powder brand in my tea and coffee. I have even substituted half the palm sugar called for in a delicious almond flour scone recipe with stevia.That seems to be my problem with many stevia recipes and products out there. Since I am neither diabetic nor overweight, I'm just looking for healthier alternatives to my favorite high sugar foods, most of which are really just treats- like chocolate. Even as a stevia convert, this chocolate tastes overwhelmingly like stevia and the accompanying bitterness about which I have heard so many people complain (and I'm not talking about the yummy, slightly bitter chocolate flavor).The chocolate quality, like I said, is excellent. The product arrived very quickly and in terrific condition.But the flavor would be greatly improved if both sugar and stevia were used. I'm very happy for those who love this chocolate, especially if they are unable to eat sugar and would not be able to eat chocolate otherwise, but... yuck!For people like me- I'm looking for healthier options that also taste good!On a side note- I have read that medium sugar foods don't break down into fat as easily when they are also high in fiber. For example- juice is bad, fruits are good. Juice has had the fiber extracted, therefore it isn't as healthy as fruit, which has fiber to balance. And so maybe the case for a *little* sugar in chocolate (combined with stevia) is more justifiable because the high fiber would provide balance?Great product for those who would otherwise be unable to eat chocolate:)