Dark chocolate is beloved by many for its rich flavor and potential health benefits. But with so many brands and varieties on the market, how do you know which dark chocolate is the best? As an experienced writer and dark chocolate aficionado, I’ve tasted plenty of bars in my day. Read on as I break down the key factors that make up a truly superior dark chocolate.
What is dark chocolate?
Before diving into the specifics, let’s quickly review what exactly dark chocolate is. Dark chocolate contains cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, but no milk solids. It must contain at least 35% cocoa solids to be classified as dark chocolate. The higher the percentage of cocoa solids, the more bitter and intense the chocolate flavor will be.
Here are the typical cocoa solid percentages for different types of dark chocolate:
- Semi-sweet: 35-60% cocoa solids
- Bittersweet: 60-72% cocoa solids
- Extra dark: 72-99% cocoa solids
Dark chocolate has a richer, more complex flavor than milk or white chocolate. It also contains antioxidants and minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc. Some research suggests dark chocolate may provide health benefits like improved heart health, lower inflammation, and better brain function. But more studies are needed to confirm these potential effects.
How is dark chocolate made?
Dark chocolate begins with the cacao bean, which grows in pod-like fruits on cacao trees. The beans are fermented, dried, and roasted. The inner meat of the bean is called the cacao nib. The nibs are ground into a liquid called chocolate liquor, which consists of cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Additional cocoa butter is sometimes mixed in to smooth out the texture. Sugar, spices like vanilla, and emulsifiers are added. The mixture is refined, conched, and tempered before being poured into molds and cooled into chocolate bars.
High-quality dark chocolate uses high-cacao content chocolate liquor with limited added ingredients. Cheaper brands dilute the chocolate liquor with more cocoa butter, sugar, fillers, and low-quality flavorings.
What makes a great dark chocolate?
When tasting and assessing dark chocolate, here are the key markers of an excellent bar:
Complex, robust chocolate flavor
Great dark chocolate starts with complex chocolate flavor. Notes can range from fruity and tangy to earthy and savory. The flavor should be bold and intense but not overwhelm your palate.
Smooth texture
A quality dark chocolate should be smooth and creamy. The chocolate should not feel grainy or chalky on your tongue. It should melt smoothly without a waxy texture.
Well-balanced sweetness
Dark chocolate will never be as sweet as milk chocolate. However, it should have enough sweetness to balance out the inherent bitterness of dark chocolate. The best dark chocolate uses only enough sugar to produce a harmonious flavor, not mask poor quality.
Noticeable but subtle spices and flavors
Highlights like vanilla, sea salt, chili pepper, or smoked paprika can enhance chocolate. But the additions shouldn’t overpower the essential cocoa taste. They should blend in subtly.
Clean, short finish
After tasting dark chocolate, you should be left with a pleasant aftertaste that disappears quickly. An excellent dark chocolate won’t leave a funky, waxy coating in your mouth.
Reputable sourcing
Knowing a chocolate’s origins supports ethical, sustainable cacao farming. Reputable chocolates source beans from specific regions or single estates. Terms like “single origin” indicate this transparency.
Ingredients to look for
When reading a chocolate’s label, you’ll get clues to its quality from the ingredients list. Here are some beneficial ingredients that indicate a good dark chocolate:
- High percentage of cacao – Aim for at least 60% cacao content for balanced dark chocolate flavor.
- Cacao beans – “Chocolate liquor” or “cacao paste” on the label points to substantial use of cacao.
- Cocoa butter – Cocoa butter gives smooth texture. Too much dilutes flavor.
- Low sugar content – Under 25g total sugars per 100g serving allows cacao flavor to shine.
- Pure vanilla – Real vanilla enhances chocolate’s notes. Artificial vanilla provides no benefit.
- Minimal additives – Simple ingredients lists are best. Avoid vegetable oils, excessive emulsifiers, fillers.
- Fair trade – Fair trade certification supports ethical cacao sourcing.
Ingredients to avoid
On the flip side, these red flags on an ingredients list suggest lower quality chocolate:
- “Chocolate” alone – This term doesn’t distinguish cacao percentage or quality.
- Cocoa butter listed first – Highlights more butter than chocolate liquor.
- Sugar listed first – Signals high sugar content and low cocoa.
- “Milk solids” – Automatically disqualifies it from being true dark chocolate.
- Vegetable oil – Replaces valuable cocoa butter but reduces flavor quality.
- Artificial vanilla – Imitation vanilla provides no flavor benefit.
- Soy lecithin – An additive and emulsifier that is likely genetically engineered.
- PGPR – An emulsifying agent that allows lower quality industrial chocolate.
How to taste dark chocolate
To identify nuances and complexities in dark chocolate, pay attention to all aspects of tasting it. Follow this step-by-step methodology:
- Appearance – Note color, sheen, molding quality.
- Aroma – Deeply inhale the scent before and after snapping a piece.
- Flavor – Allow chocolate to coat your tongue, perceiving sweetness, sourness, bitterness.
- Texture – Focus on smoothness, creaminess, meltability.
- Finish – Evaluate length and pleasantness of aftertaste.
- Overall experience – Assess totality of taste, mouthfeel, and aroma.
Taste thoughtfully and minimize distractions for best results. Compare two options side-by-side to detect subtle differences.
10 best dark chocolate brands
After extensive tasting and analysis, these are my top 10 picks for best dark chocolate brands:
1. Michel Cluizel
This French brand offers single-origin bars with smooth, balanced flavor. Recommended: Noir de Cacao 72%
2. Valrhona
Valrhona makes velvety chocolate with complex fruity and nutty notes. Recommended: Guanaja 70%
3. Guittard
Family-owned Guittard produces deeply chocolatey bars like the bittersweet 91% cacao.
4. Lindt
While mainstream, Lindt’s Excellence 85% bar is exceptionally smooth and rich.
5. Endangered Species
This socially conscious brand offers affordable 88% dark chocolate with nice flavor complexity.
6. Ghirardelli
Ghirardelli makes classic satisfying chocolate like the Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72% bar.
7. Callebaut
Callebaut Belgian chocolate bars have intense chocolate impact. Try the Dark Chocolate Extra Bitter 85%.
8. Hu Kitchen
Hu’s minimal-ingredient chocolate, like the 85% bar, uses only unprocessed cane sugar.
9. Chocolove
Chocolove crafts dark chocolate with ethics in mind. The Strong Dark 77% is excellent.
10. Alter Eco
Alter Eco sources cacao through cooperatives and makes boldly flavored chocolate like the Dark Blackout 85% bar.
How to choose the right dark chocolate for you
With so many options, choosing a dark chocolate ultimately comes down to personal preference. Consider these factors in selecting a bar tailored for your tastes:
Desired cocoa content
The higher the cocoa percentage, the more pronounced the chocolate flavor and bitterness. Sweets-averse palates may enjoy 85% or above. If you prefer some sweetness, opt for around 70%.
Flavor intensiveness
Do you want an intensely dark chocolate or something more mellow? Bolder chocolates use higher-cacao liquor, while milder ones blend in more sugar and milk.
Added ingredients
Look for fun mix-ins like sea salt, spices, or nuts if you want chocolate with a twist. Purists should choose unadorned dark chocolate to highlight cacao.
Budget
Prices range widely from just a few dollars for mass-market bars up to $10 or more for single-origin. Splurge on pricier chocolate for top sophistication and flavor.
Ethics
Opt for fair trade if you care about supporting sustainable cacao farming. Or look for bean-to-bar chocolate where the makers oversee full production.
Use these tips to find your perfect dark chocolate match
That covers the spectrum of what to look for in sublime dark chocolate. Put this advice into practice as you taste and assess bars available in your area. Soon you’ll discover your personal favorites tailor-made for your chocolate preferences. Don’t be afraid to try bold new flavors and percentages to discover your ideal chocolate experience.
At the end of the day, the best dark chocolate is whichever variety brings you satisfaction and joy. With thousands of chocolate makers crafting unique bars worldwide, the possibilities are endless for finding “your” perfect dark chocolate. Allow your curiosity, senses, and taste buds to guide you on a delicious quest for chocolate bliss.