High‑Quality Chocolate
The primary indicator of chocolate quality lies in its ingredients. As with other foods, the rule applies: the shorter the ingredient list, the better. The core component of chocolate is cocoa mass (also known as cocoa beans). Depending on the type, quality chocolate may also contain cocoa butter, sugar (cane or coconut), or natural vanilla extract. Other quality indicators include:
- single origin - cocoa beans sourced from a single growing region guarantee a unique, distinctive taste;
- bean‑to‑bar - this term differentiates small‑batch chocolates from mass‑produced varieties. The entire process (harvesting, fermenting, drying, roasting…) happens under one producer, ensuring maximum quality. You may also see “tree‑to‑bar".
When choosing chocolate, it’s best to avoid added fats (coconut, palm, milk), artificial flavours, enhancers, or various “fillers.”
On chocolate packaging, you’ll often find the term cocoa solids. This term represents the total content of cocoa mass, butter, or powder in the product. While not a definitive quality indicator, generally speaking, the higher, the better.
What is Fat or Sugar Bloom on Chocolate?
This so‑called “bloom” typically results from improper storage in high temperatures or humidity, causing the cocoa butter or sugar to crystallize, leaving a white powdery coating on the surface. This chocolate is still safe to eat. And how to avoid bloomed chocolate? Eat it before it “blooms”!
Chocolate Types
Nowadays, you’ll find various types of chocolate, differing by the ratio of their ingredients. The three main types are dark, milk, and white chocolate:
- dark chocolate contains at least 35 % cocoa solids and 18 % cocoa solids. Quality can be considered to be from 50 % of the content.
- milk chocolate contains milk powder or condensed milk in addition to the cocoa components (at least 25 % of the content);
- white chocolate, unlike the previous types, is based on cocoa solids, which must contain at least 20 %. It is also characterised by its milk component, which may be supplemented by sweeteners and other ingredients. It therefore contains no cocoa and shares only its name with real chocolate.
Baking and Cooking with Chocolate
Chocolate is a high‑calorie delicacy that many people consume simply as an (un)healthy treat. Eating chocolate in reasonable quantities - thanks to its fibre, antioxidant, mineral and other bioactive content - can be thought of as beneficial to health, with proven effects on brain, heart and skin health. However, consumption must not degenerate to a table a day.
However, different forms of chocolate have different uses. Chocolate chipsare perfect for breakfast cereals, bar or chocolate shardscan be used to make toppings for desserts, and we've got a hot chocolate powder.