I spotted this small, square chocolate bar while walking through the candy aisle at my local grocery store. The shape made me think it was made by Ritter Sport, but then I noticed it said Nestle on it.

The really interesting thing, though, was seeing Pistachios on the cover. Nestle and pistachios? And it’s made in Turkey. Well, that’s new!

I bought the bar, $1.99, and went home to sample and research. Turns out, earlier this year, Nestle launched their Turkish Damak brand into the U.S. premium chocolate market.

(Fun fact, Turkey is the world’s third largest producer of pistachios. Who knew?)

The pistachios in the Damak dark chocolate bar are grown in a region of western Turkey called Gaziantep. This variety of pistachio tastes different from the ones we in the U.S. are used to eating – those grown in California. It turns out there’s a terroir to pistachios just like with cacao.

Damak (pronounced dih-mok) is the Turkish word for “great taste”. Damak was founded in 1933.

There are three varieties of chocolate bar produced in Turkey; Fine Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate. From what I’ve read, only the Fine chocolate and Dark chocolate varieties are sold in the U.S.

What is Fine Chocolate?

I’m not exactly sure what “Fine chocolate” is because I’m unfamiliar with any Standard of Identity for that name. Nor, can I find anything on the Nestle website that defines it.

Perhaps there is an understanding among consumers in Turkey about what “fine” chocolate is and how that differs from dark and milk chocolate.

Since my grocery store only offered the dark chocolate, I’ll have to seek out the Fine Chocolate in order to come to my own conclusions. But, by looking at the ingredient list on Amazon, I would say it is a variety of milk chocolate.

Review of Damak Dark Chocolate

The Damak dark chocolate is 55% cocoa, but the intensity of the rich chocolatey notes makes me think I’m eating a much higher percentage!

Part of this flavor intensity comes from the fact that the chocolate is processed with alkali (Dutch-processed). But that doesn’t explain it all.

This 55% is deeply chocolate with pleasant nutty notes, a bit of dried fruit flavor, and hint of spice at the end. The pistachios are crunchy and buttery. The combination is delightful!

Wow. That was so easy to eat the whole thing during one quick research session!

In case you're interested, here's a package of 6 Damak dark bars from Amazon.

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In 201 Fun Chocolate Facts and Chocolate Trivia Quiz you get all the facts and chocolate trivia questions to stump your friends!

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Bryn Kirk

Course Facilitator at Chocolate University Online

Bryn worked for nearly 10 years in a research and product development for Ambrosia Chocolate Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now she develops all of the CUO lessons and coaches the members of the Primal Chocolate Club.

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