9 Best Chocolate Bars for Pistachio Lovers

Nuts with chocolate are a time-tested combo. From popular commercial brands like Reeses to Snickers, the popular nut (or more accurately, legume) of choice has been the humble peanut. Now, its posh relative, the tree nut that is pistachio, has taken the world by storm. Thanks to the ‘Dubai Bar’, created out of one woman’s pregnancy cravings and now turned into a global viral sensation, it seems that pistachios are here to topple the peanut from its place at the top.

The Dubai Bar

For those who have miraculously managed to miss out on hearing about the Dubai Bar, here is what it is: A hefty slab of pistachio cream, mixed with shredded filo or ‘kataifi’ pastry (used in baklava) and sesame puree (tahini), encased in a layer of chocolate. While specialty chocolate aficionados and connoisseurs are fiercely debating whether the Dubai Bar is more confectionary than actual chocolate, one thing is certain – the allure stems from its glorious emerald-sweet nuttiness. Pistachio flavor and quality differ according to provenance, with the most popular being Sicilian Bronte and Iranian. However, Iran, Turkey and the United States are leading producers and both Italian and Greek pistachios while smaller in production, are greatly sought after.

Pistachios Beyond the Bar

A good example of how chocolate pairs with pistachio is Brontelway Pistachio Dragees from Sicilian pastry chef and chocolatier Adi Jugu, who together with his partner Silvia Gorgone, owns Brontelway, an Irish-based chocolate company specializing exclusively in pistachio confections. The dragees have a growing cult following for this reason, they are abundant with fresh floral, sweet and nutty notes. Vibrant caramelized green gold pistachios are drenched with a fine layer of Valrhona white chocolate stone ground with the pistachios and finished with a lovely coat of fine crumbly pistachios. The feature impossible to miss here is the freshness of the nut flavors, which take you right to the midst of a pistachio farm during harvest season.

The Right Pistachios

Jugu, whose family owns a pistachio farm, explains what distinguishes great pistachios, “The first thing to look at is the color: a bright green inside is a clear sign of quality, while lower quality pistachios tend to be more yellow. Then there’s the texture, they should be crunchy, not chewy or elastic. And of course, the taste: high quality pistachios are naturally sweet and rich in essential oils, thanks to the dry soil they grow in.” And just what exactly makes Bronte pistachios so unique? “This difference is most noticeable between Bronte pistachios and others from Sicily, Greece, or Iran even though those are also considered high quality. But pistachios from these other regions tend to be bigger and rounder because their soil contains more water. That means they contain fewer essential oils, which affects the flavor.”

Award winning bean to bar maker Aroko, run by Venezuelan couple Dubraska and Johonny, share a similar view in their own approach for their highly popular pistachio creations. “We tested many kinds of pistachio, and made a sort of ranking to get the best taste/price ratio […]Greek Pistachios were the middle ground where we could reach the flavor we wanted without having to add too many pistachios. The difference in price with cheaper pistachio is about 30% but to reach our goal we needed almost twice the quantity of California... Bronte is 4 times more expensive, but we needed just 5-6% less pistachio for the same flavor (the main difference was color).”

Just like cacao, growing pistachios has its own set of challenges. “Based on our personal experience over the years, one of the biggest struggles is the unpredictable weather during harvest. In our case, imagine working non-stop for two years on your pistachio trees, only for a hailstorm or strong winds to destroy 40–60% of your crop just as harvest time arrives.” Adi explains. He continues, “Then there’s the actual harvest; it’s tough, working on dangerous, rocky, and sharp volcanic terrain while also protecting the pistachios from potential theft. In fact, in recent years, it has become more common to see police helicopters patrolling over the harvesting areas. That’s the price you pay when you grow the green gold!”

For the discerning pistachio and specialty chocolate loving palate, there are thankfully plenty of stellar choices available where the focus is on quality cacao, simple ingredients and big flavor. Here are ten of the most unique, flavorsome pistachio chocolate creations in the specialty chocolate world to try.

Great Pistachio Chocolate Bars

Zotter Pistachio Hand Scooped Bar

Organic and fairtrade certified, this Austrian bean to bar chocolate maker is well known for its ‘handscooped’ range of candylike bars. Here, 50% dark milk chocolate enrobes not one but two layers featuring almond-praline and Iranian pistachio marzipan, infused with aniseed tea. A slightly boozy bar thanks to a splash of cherry brandy, this is no ordinary candy bar but one made for gourmet palates. Zotter also makes a fabulous saffron and pistachio bar in the same range.

Peraru Tanzania with Pistachio 74%

If ever visiting Istanbul, Peraru chocolate makers are a must visit. Smooth 74% dark chocolate made with Tanzanian Kokoa Kamili cacao meets whole crunchy roasted and salted pistachios from the Gaziantep region of Southeast Turkey. Gaziantep is known for its long heritage of pistachio growing culture, which is said to go back as far as 9000 years ago. This bar works well for those who love their chocolate with a more wholesome bite.

Aroko Carenero Superior with Pistachio

35% White Chocolate, featuring natural cocoa butter from Venezuela and 20% of Greek pistachios, organic whole milk (powdered) and cane sugar results in a beautifully buttery and nutty bar with a nicely balanced sweetness. For fans of chocolate pairings, sparkling wine is recommended by chocolatemakers Johonny and Dubraska. Aroko also makes an intense pistachio cream spread with a whopping 60% of toasted salted pistachios. Free of lactose, preservatives and additives, this is a must for pistachio lovers with a lactose intolerance.

Bon Fiction – A Rose in Pistachio Skies

Single estate cocoa beans from the Godavari region in Andra Pradesh, India, are carefully infused with dried local rose petals, before being generously studded with pistachios from the Middle East. The rose flavors, despite being intense, bring out the pistachio flavor in an excellent marriage of floral and nutty flavors which elevate this 55% dark bar.

Plaq The Pure Dark Coated Pistachio Praline Snack Bar

Bronte pistachio praline and whole pistachios coated with Tanzanian Kamili 76% Pure Dark chocolate. Slim in appearance but mighty in flavor, the primary notes of this sophisticated snack bar are deep and roasted. Borrow the 4pm snack or ‘le gouter’ French ritual for yourself and savor this slowly with a steamy cuppa.

Rózsavölgyi Pistache Gianduja

Hungarian bean-to-bar maker Rozsavolgyi mixes Peruvian dark chocolate with 20% of pure pistachio paste - be prepared to rethink gianduja as you know it. A dairy free bar with a slightly softer snap thanks to the pistachios being ground directly into the chocolate for a flavorful, not too sweet take with plenty of length in the after taste. The beautiful mould and design of the packaging add to the overall uniqueness of this tasting experience.

Mirzam Halva Bar

Mirzam is Dubai’s flagship bean to bar chocolatemaker, crafting beautiful chocolate from bars to bonbons and more. This ode to one of UAE’s favourite dessert treats contains 62% dark chocolate, gorgeously filled with pieces of crunchy saffron and rose infused caramel brittle, almonds, pistachios and dates. Each bite is luxurious, delivering subtle perfumed notes and delicious complexity. Think of it as a relaxing walk through a vibrant souk.

Guido Castagna CENTO+ Milk Bar Filled with Pistachio

Chocolate lovers from all over the world flock to this Turin based chocolate maker most notably for his multiple award winning ‘Gianduiotti ‘. However, this 38% milk bar filled with ultra velvety Bronte pistachio praline warrants its own fandom, with its well-balanced sweetness and full bodied pistachio flavor. A rather dangerous bar to be on your own with.

Pralus Bar Infernale Pistache

Quite possibly the HG of all pistachio chocolates, French chocolatemaker Pralus’s legendary range of thick, heavy bars are aptly named as they are more dessert than anything else. This pistachio wonder has been around for years and is inimitable with its thin 70% dark chocolate shell which cracks open to reveal the creamiest 61% pistachio praline generously studded with 9% Iranian pistachios. Wonderful when sliced thinly and served as part of an elegant charcuterie board or simply standalone dessert plate to share at any get together, this pistachio chocolate is unbeatable.