Best Chocolate Bar | Argencove - Batch 18, 80%
The Best Chocolate in the World | Argencove - Batch 18, 80%
Chocolate Bars | Argencove - Batch 18, 80%
Argencove

Argencove - Batch 18, 80%

50 g Fine Dark Chocolate
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Regular price $19.75 USD
Sale price $19.75 USD Regular price

Ranked in the Top 100 Chocolates in the World.

Origin & Craftsmanship
Batch 18 comes from Argencove, an artisan chocolate maker rooted in Nicaragua’s vibrant cacao culture. This bar is crafted from carefully selected cacao beans sourced from a specific small harvest (the “Batch 18”), giving it distinct terroir character. Argencove’s bean-to-bar approach — featuring local fermentation, gentle roasting, and meticulous refining — showcases both the purity and personality of the cacao.

Flavor Profile
At 80% cacao, Batch 18 offers bold yet refined flavour. It opens with dark fruit and berry notes, followed by hints of molasses and warm cocoa richness. Gentle earthy undertones and a subtle roasted spice make the experience layered without overpowering, culminating in a long, velvety finish that lingers with cocoa intensity.

Tasting & Pairing Guide

Let a square melt slowly on your tongue so the fruity top notes surface first, followed by deeper cocoa warmth and spice.
Pair this bar with a robust red wine such as aged Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon — wines that can stand up to its bold cocoa profile. For a non-alcoholic option, a rich dark roast coffee or roasted black tea complements the bar’s depth. To highlight texture and contrast, enjoy with toasted pecans or dried dark cherries, which echo the chocolate’s berry undertones.

Summary

The Batch 18 80% bar from Argencove is a bold, terroir-rich dark chocolate that marries expressive fruitiness with profound cocoa depth. Its layered complexity and smooth, lingering finish make it a standout choice for lovers of craft chocolate with both intensity and nuance.

Domestic Shipping

Canada

Standard (3-7 business days) - $12 CAD for orders below $90 CAD and FREE for those above.

Express (2-3 business days) - $30 CAD 

International Shipping Rates

We offer following shipping rates:

Australia

Express (4-7 business days) - 50 AUD for orders below 280 AUD and FREE for those above.

Austria

Express (4-6 business days) - 24 EUR for orders below 140 EUR and FREE for those above.

Belgium

Standard (5-7 business days) - 27 EUR for orders below 200 EUR and FREE for those above.

Cayman Islands

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Chile

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China

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Colombia

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Croatia

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Finland

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France

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Germany

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Greece

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Netherlands

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Norway

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Oman

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Portugal

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Qatar

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Romania

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Seychelles

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Singapore

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Slovenia

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South Africa

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South Korea

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Spain

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Sweden

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Switzerland

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Taiwan

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UAE

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United Kingdom

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USA

Express Tariffs Included - (3-4 business days): $15 USD for orders below $90 USD and FREE for those above. 

For the most international destinations the exact shipping cost will be calculated at the checkout page. This comprehensive fee covers order preparation, summer packaging (where applicable), shipping charges, and excludes any relevant local customs duty fees.

Estimated Delivery Times

All delivery timeframes shown at checkout or in shipping confirmations are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Actual transit times may vary depending on the destination, customs clearance, carrier operations, and external factors beyond our control. Delivery schedules can be significantly affected during peak periods and public holidays in either the origin or destination country. While we always dispatch orders promptly, delays may occur, and Hello Chocolate cannot be held responsible for extended delivery times once an order has been handed over to the carrier.

IMPORTANT!

For orders containing both in-stock and pre-ordered items:

  • All items in the order will be shipped together once all pre-ordered items become available.
  • The entire order will be held until all items are in stock to avoid multiple shipping charges.
  • Estimated shipping dates for pre-ordered items are provided on the product page and in your order confirmation.
  • You will be notified via email when your complete order ships.

If you need in-stock items sooner, please place separate orders for in-stock and pre-ordered items.

Please note that customs/duties fees are not included in the price of shipping and are the sole responsibility of the customer upon delivery if applicable.

 

Hello Chocolate cannot make any delivery date guarantees for international orders. 

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Vegan, Dairy-free

Argencove Chocolate: A Journey from Tree to BarI

In the lush landscapes of Nicaragua, a unique chocolate-making venture has taken root. Argencove Chocolate, founded by three Australian families, is not just a confectionery brand; it's a testament to passion, sustainability, and community engagement.The Genesis of a Chocolate DreamThe Argencove story began with a group of friends united by their fascination with great food. Their curiosity about luxury chocolate led them on a global odyssey, spanning 20 countries. This journey of taste and discovery culminated in Nicaragua, where they found the perfect blend of fertile soil, favorable climate, and welcoming locals to establish their cocoa plantation and chocolate factory.

From Orchard to Bar: A Sustainable Approach

Argencove's philosophy is deeply rooted in agroforestry and sustainability. Their orchard, nestled between the Mombacho Volcano and Lake Nicaragua, is a carefully designed ecosystem. The company believes that a balanced environment yields the best cacao, employing an agroforestry process that includes shade species for nitrogen fixation.
The journey from bean to bar at Argencove is meticulous:Harvesting: Ripe cacao pods are harvested from October to July.Grading: Beans are carefully graded for quality.Fermenting: A crucial step that determines the final flavor profile.Drying: Sun-drying is done gently to complete the fermentation process.Warehousing: Strict traceability is maintained for consistency in flavor profiles.
The factory process is equally detailed, involving sorting, roasting, winnowing, grinding, tempering, and molding. Each step is carefully controlled to ensure the highest quality chocolate.

Community Engagement and EducationArgencove's commitment extends beyond chocolate-making. In 2018, they launched the "Budding Minds" school garden program, teaching children how to propagate and grow plants. This initiative has been warmly received, with Granada International School's director, Lauren White, praising its impact on students' learning and environmental awareness.

The company also supports employee development through certified educational training programs, empowering local workers with additional skills and opportunities.

A Taste of Excellence

Argencove's dedication to quality and sustainability has resulted in award-winning artisanal chocolate. Their unique approach to chocolate-making, from carefully selecting cacao genetics to their innovative packaging design inspired by Granada's Spanish colonial tiles, sets them apart in the world of luxury chocolates.

Looking Forward

With their motto "LEARN. PROPAGATE. PLANT. GROW. EAT.", Argencove Chocolate continues to strive for excellence while nurturing their local environment and community. They believe that creating a little delight with each bite of chocolate can go hand in hand with improving the world, one day at a time.

As Argencove grows, it remains committed to its core values of sustainability, community involvement, and culinary excellence, promising a sweet future for chocolate lovers and the people of Nicaragua alike.

Cacao, cane sugar.

Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and strong odors. Store at maximum
18 ° C in its original packaging

Our chocolate makers proudly refrain from using any artificial stabilizers or preservatives in their products, making their creations more temperature-sensitive compared to other premium chocolates.

To ensure the optimal taste experience, it's advisable to store our chocolates in a cool, dry place where the temperature hovers between 16°C and 18°C. Please refrain from refrigerating our chocolates, as this may cause sugar crystallization due to increased humidity, altering their texture and flavor.

On the contrary, if stored in excessively high temperatures, cocoa butter may separate and form a white film on the chocolate's surface. This loss of cocoa butter can lead to the chocolate drying out and, consequently, a potential alteration in flavor. Your mindful storage practices will help preserve the integrity of our delectable chocolates.