The best chocolate bars

By Lygeia Grace and Dawn Perry

Willy Wonka, eat your heart out: Real Simple staffers selflessly tasted more than 180 luxe bars to determine which ones deserve a golden ticket.

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Best 70 Percent Cocoa and Up (Extra-Extra Dark)

Scharffen Berger Bittersweet: Don't be daunted by the high cocoa content. This winner is bright and fruity, with a smooth finish.

To buy: $5 for 3 ounces.

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Best 60 to 69 Percent Cocoa (Extra Dark)

Chocolove Rich Dark: Get ready for a flavor explosion: chocolate goodness spiked with roasted coffee, chilies, and cinnamon.

To buy: $3 for 3.2 ounces.

See More: The Best Brownie Mixes

Best 50 to 59 Percent Cocoa (Dark)

Ritter Sport Dark: Rich and glossy, this semisweet pick is better than anything you'd find in a bag of morsels. Serve it with an after-dinner liqueur for a grown-up dessert.

To buy: $2.50 for 3.5 ounces.

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Best Milk

Dove Silky Smooth Milk: The pure cream and cocoa flavors are so delicious, even dark-chocolate snobs will see the light.

To buy: $2 for 3.3 ounces.

See More: The Best Frozen Hors d'Oeuvres

Best White

Perugina: The white stuff may not technically be chocolate (it doesn't contain cocoa solids), but who cares? Rife with lemony notes, this is buttery and sweet.

To buy: $3 for 3.5 ounces.

See More: 8 Refreshing Frozen Treats

Best Almond

Scharffen Berger Milk Almond: A sprinkling of coarse sea salt intensifies the sweetness, and chopped roasted almonds accompany Every. Decadent. Bite.

To buy: $5 for 3 ounces.

Best Hazelnut

Trader Joe's Swiss Dark With Whole Hazelnuts: This monster slab is so loaded with protein-packed hazelnuts, you could almost consider it an energy bar. (Almost.)

To buy: $4 for 7 ounces.

Read the Rest: The Best Chocolate Bars

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