I Tried the Tony's Chocolonely 'Pandemic Pack' — Is This the Best Chocolate of 2026?

Last Tuesday, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a post from Tony's Chocolonely about their new 'Pandemic Pack' — a limited-edition collection of four chocolate bars inspired by the weird cravings people had during lockdowns. I love their mission (100% slave-free chocolate, Fairtrade, all that), but I've always found their milk chocolate a bit too sweet. Still, the packaging was so colorful I couldn't resist. So I ordered one for $29.99 and invited three friends over for a taste test on Saturday. Here's what we found.

The Lineup: Four Wild Flavors

The pack includes: 'Sourdough Starter' (dark chocolate with sourdough bread crumbs), 'Time Traveler's Truffle' (milk chocolate with freeze-dried coffee and sea salt), 'Quarantine Comfort' (white chocolate with caramelized onion and bacon bits — yes, you read that right), and 'Lockdown Lemonade' (dark chocolate with lemon zest and popping candy). I know — some of these sound like a joke. But Tony's has been pushing boundaries for years, and I've learned not to judge a chocolate bar by its flavor name. My friend Sarah, a pastry chef, was skeptical about the onion one. She said, 'White chocolate and onion? That's a crime against patisserie.'

The Sourdough Starter Bar Was the Biggest Surprise

We started with the Sourdough Starter bar. It's 70% dark chocolate with tiny, crunchy breadcrumbs mixed in. The texture is wild — you bite into smooth chocolate and then get these little bursts of crunch that taste like toasted sourdough crust. It's savory in a way that complements the bitterness of the dark chocolate. My friend Mike, who hates sourdough, said, 'I wouldn't eat a whole bar, but the first few bites are interesting.' I, on the other hand, finished half the bar in one sitting. The bread crumbs are made from actual sourdough starter discarded from a bakery in Portland, so it's also a sustainability thing. The flavor is subtle — not like eating a sandwich, more like a hint of roasted grain. I'd give it a solid 8/10.

The Onion and Bacon Bar: A Controversial Take

Here's the one everyone was scared of. The Quarantine Comfort bar is white chocolate with caramelized onion and bacon bits. I braced myself for disaster, but honestly? It works. The sweetness of the white chocolate balances the salty, umami onion and bacon. It's like a savory candy bar — think chocolate-covered pretzels but with more depth. Sarah the pastry chef admitted, 'Okay, I was wrong. The onion isn't overpowering. It's actually quite pleasant.' But Mike hated it: 'This tastes like a breakfast burrito melted into chocolate. No thanks.' I'm in the middle — I enjoyed two squares but couldn't handle a full bar. It's a novelty, not a daily driver. Score: 6/10.

The Popping Candy Bar Was Fun but Forgetful

Lockdown Lemonade is dark chocolate with lemon zest and popping candy. The popping candy is aggressive — it crackles and pops in your mouth for a solid 10 seconds. The lemon zest adds a bright, citrusy note that cuts through the dark chocolate's bitterness. It's undeniably fun, like eating chocolate fireworks. But the flavor itself is one-note: lemon and chocolate. It doesn't evolve. We all agreed it's the kind of bar you eat once and say, 'That was cool,' then move on. My niece would probably love it. For an adult palate, it's a 5/10.

The Coffee and Sea Salt Bar Stole the Show

Time Traveler's Truffle was the unanimous winner. It's milk chocolate with freeze-dried coffee granules and sea salt. The coffee adds a deep, roasted bitterness that balances the milk chocolate's sweetness perfectly. The sea salt crystals provide these little salty pops that make you take another bite. It's not genuinely new — coffee and chocolate is a classic combo — but the execution is flawless. The freeze-dried coffee isn't powdery; it's crunchy, like tiny coffee chips. I ate the entire bar in one evening while watching a movie. No regrets. Score: 9/10.

Is It Worth $29.99?

Look, Tony's Chocolonely bars usually cost $5 each, so $30 for four is a bit steep. But these are limited-edition, and the packaging is gorgeous (it comes in a collectible tin). If you're a chocolate adventurer and want to try something weird, go for it. If you just want a delicious chocolate bar, skip the pack and buy the Time Traveler's Truffle separately — if you can find it. I saw it at Whole Foods for $5.49. The Sourdough Starter is also worth a try if you're into savory sweets. But the onion bar? That's one for the brave. I'm glad I tried it, but I won't buy it again. Tony's is doing important work with ethical sourcing, and I respect that. But I wish they'd put that same energy into making a truly mind-blowing dark chocolate bar that doesn't rely on gimmicks. Still, if you're curious, grab the pack. It's a conversation starter for your next dinner party.

Final rankings from our group: 1. Time Traveler's Truffle, 2. Sourdough Starter, 3. Lockdown Lemonade, 4. Quarantine Comfort. Would I recommend the Pandemic Pack? Yes — but only if you have an open mind and a sweet tooth.