Which Dark Chocolate Is Best? | CoachSweetTooth

Different types of dark chocolate are available in the market from various brands. However, which dark chocolate is the best for you?

Dark chocolate has been shown to have multiple health benefits, including decreasing blood pressure, increasing cognitive function, and improving skin. Therefore, it is one of the healthiest food options for picky eaters.

Some of the best dark chocolate available today include HU, Lindt, Divine, Ghirardelli, Lily’s Dark Chocolate, Brookside, Endangered Species, Godiva, Bouchard, and Divine Exquisitely.  You are sure to fall in love with these tasty treats.

Since there are so many varieties of dark chocolate available in the market, it can be difficult to find the best one. However, here’s where we step in. We have done the legwork for you by finding the best dark chocolates. So whether you want to use them to bake, cook, or just want to munch on a bar of dark chocolate, this list has you covered.

We have tried different dark chocolate from several producers to write this list (yes, we had a great time!) Some of the best ones are listed below.

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1. Hu Dark Chocolate Bar

This dark chocolate comprises 70% cocoa, natural coconut sugar, and fair-trade cocoa powder and comes in a variety of flavors. There is no dairy, no processed sugar, and no soy lecithins in this fantastic paleo dark chocolate.

The Hu Salty Dark Chocolate bar is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and kosher, but it is also non-GMO project certified. This tiny piece of bliss can be used in baked delicacies to dress up morning bowls of oats, or you can bite into and relish this velvety rich vegan dark chocolate bar on its own!

Pros

  • The chocolate bars come in a variety of flavors.
  • There are no refined sugars, soy lecithin, or sugar alcohols in this product.

Cons

  • It is a little pricey.

2. Lindt Extra Dark Chocolate Bar

This Lindt bar is a complete extra dark chocolate with solid earthiness and hints of cinnamon, licorice, and dried figs. It comes in various cocoa percentages, with this particular bar containing 85 percent cocoa!

In addition, each box costs roughly $41 and contains individually packaged bars. Bourbon vanilla beans, cocoa butter, demerara sugar, and cocoa powder are among the ingredients present in this treat. The dark chocolate bar, which contains 90% cocoa, is refined further using the Dutch technique.

Each dark chocolate bar weighs 3.5 ounces and spans 3.5 x 9.5 inches. Its richness can be used for baking, presenting, relishing, or simply enjoying the exquisite gourmet pleasure.

Pros

  • It comes in a variety of flavors, allowing it to be a versatile option.
  • Made with high-quality ingredients
  • It's caffeine and dairy-free.

Cons

  • There may be residues of tree nuts, walnuts, and soybeans in each bar.

3. Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Squares

Take the title of this dark chocolate, "Intense Dark," as a hint to its description. These squares have a staggering 86 percent cacao content, so they're not for the faint of heart. However, their sharpness, deep chocolate flavor, plus the fact that they are individually packaged and pre-portioned will all appeal to you.

It is one delicacy you might want to have in moderation! These Ghirardelli squares are the greatest indulgence, fancy food, or gift. Ghirardelli chocolate is made with ethically sourced cocoa beans and the finest ingredients, which are expertly mixed for profoundly delicious results that any chocolate fan will enjoy!

You can have this rich chocolate concentration after supper or offer Ghirardelli Intense Dark chocolate bars at your next event to provide your guests with the supreme moment of pure ecstasy. Enjoy the decadent flavor of the best cacao beans expertly mixed to create a rich, robust, and profoundly delicious dark chocolate with dark cherry and dried plum notes.

Pros

  • Composed of pure cacao
  • Easy on the pocket

Cons

  • Melts quite quickly

4. Hu Simple

Hu is a US-based snacking company offering high-quality snacks made with natural, simple ingredients. Processed sugar, cane sugar, simple sugars, dairy, palm kernel oil, gluten, and soy are not used in Hu dark chocolate bars.

Each piece of these simple chocolate bars has less than 8 grams of unprocessed coconut sugar. Furthermore, these natural Chocolate Bars are dairy-free, making them a vegetarian product with enough taste to satisfy even the most skeptical people.

Bitterness is frequently associated with dark chocolate. These Chocolate Bars, which contain Almond Butter, Rolled Quinoa, Cashew Butter, Vanilla Extract, and a Crunchy Mint sensation, defy the norm. They are made from organic house-ground chocolate and have a rich cocoa taste without any bitterness.

Pros

  • Feature an adequate amount of chocolate.
  • Rich and smooth texture.

Cons

  • Can cause allergies sometimes

5. Lily’s Dark Chocolate Bar

Lily's Extra Dark Chocolate is a 70 percent cocoa keto-friendly bar that is low on carbs. It's packed with organic richness and sweetened with stevia, a zero-calorie herbal sweetener extracted from the Stevia Rebaudiana leaf.

Lily’s Dark Chocolate is made with non-GMO products, comes in various flavors, and is dairy-free. These chocolate bars taste like a cross between Salted Almonds and Extra Dark Chocolate, and everyone will love them. Lily's is the way to go for a dark chocolate aficionado, whether it's day or night.

Crunchy, salted, rich, and wonderfully gratifying are the words that describe this chocolate perfectly.

Pros

  • 4 different tastes to choose from
  • This dark chocolate can be used in both baking and snacking.
  • These 70% cocoa chocolate bars are completely vegan.

Cons

  • The orange flavor is barely visible, and there is little to no taste appeal.

6. Brookside Dark Chocolate Candy

Brookside Chocolate candy has blueberry and acai flavors and provides an essence of fresh, chocolaty depth to your breakfast and cooked sweets! It has a lesser proportion of cocoa in it and is refined with alkali in the Dutch procedure to ensure great quality.

Soft, sugary fillings are dipped in exquisite dark chocolate in this delicacy. The candy is also available in a 21-ounce package of flavored acai and blueberry candies. These candies can add finger-licking pleasure throughout your day, whether you scatter them on top of yogurt or consume them with wine.

Rather than grapes, add the exotic edge of the Açai & Blueberry aromas in these adventurous chocolates to your family dinner tray. Gluten-free chocolate with no flavorings or colors is simple to find with this product.

Give a dark chocolate gift to your entire work or family unit when a gathering occasion arises. These BROOKSIDE chocolaty treats feature carefully blended exotic fruit tastes from around the globe, providing the best combination for snackers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Furthermore, if you want to spice up your date nights and your work snacking breaks, carry a bag of savory Brookside goodies with you wherever the day takes you.

It will ensure that your taste buds are always satisfied with delicious, high-quality fruits and cocoa flavors. These dark chocolate treats are packaged in a sealed bag for long-term preservation and on-the-go munching.

Pros

  • It's a lighter version of dark chocolate that's jam-packed with taste.
  • Wonderful for adding a touch of class to snack combinations
  • Acai, pomegranate, and blueberry flavors on offer.

Cons

  • It's high in sugar and toxins.

7. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate

Endangered Species Chocolate bars come in many taste combinations and are full of antioxidants. Each bar includes more than 70% cocoa and complies with all the necessary quality requirements. It's also worth noting that 10% of Endangered Species' yearly net revenue goes towards protecting animals and organisms at risk.

Thus, these dark chocolate bars serve a noble purpose. Moreover, prominent species experts offer insights within each wrapper about every animal and how you might help animals survive in the wild, which is an impressive feature.

Endangered Species utilizes ingredients that fulfill strict manufacturing, fair trade, and sustainable environmental criteria to make the best chocolate. This way, you may have a rich chocolate experience while also helping farmers, the environment, and your health.

They're GMO-free, fair-trade verified, and vegan-friendly. Furthermore, this dark chocolate comes in packs of 4, 8, and 12 chocolates, with each bar weighing 3 ounces.

Pros

  • The Endangered Species Company’s 10% giveback law allows you to donate money to critically endangered animals.
  • It contains a lot of cocoa, is quite nutritious, and has some unique flavors.

Cons

  • They're not really sweet.

8. Godiva Signature 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate

Godiva is perfect if you want dark chocolate without excessive bitterness. It has a rich chocolate flavor that will have you craving for more. These chocolates have a great texture that isn't waxy or scratchy like inferior chocolates.

Godiva Dark Chocolate has 43 percent less sugar, 100 percent less cholesterol, 178 percent more dietary fiber, 79 percent more iron, and 9 percent more protein than the average chocolate bar. However, this chocolate also includes 55 percent saturated fat and 40 more total fat, which means that you should eat too much of it to avoid its negative impact on your health.

Pros

  • Made up of 72% Cacao
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Not available everywhere.

9. Bouchard Belgian Dark Chocolate

With just 28 calories for every piece, this non-GMO, vegetarian, keto-friendly dark chocolate is among the best on the market! Furthermore, it is a rich source of natural antioxidants and enzymes, making it the best dark chocolate for general well being! The chocolate includes 72 percent cocoa and comes in a 1-kg box.

The Bouchard Belgian Dark Chocolate is high in iron and fiber, both of which are beneficial to your health. It has half the sugar of a typical chocolate bar and gives a rich, bittersweet chocolate flavor.

These rich Belgian chocolates are created in Belgium and have a distinctive Belgian flavor that many people love. The company exclusively employs the highest-quality ingredients and ensures that its goods are solely good for you and your health.

Every bite is a delight that transports you to a different part of Belgium. These rich black chocolates have a naturally velvety deep color, provide long-lasting gratifying melting times, and have a particularly silky touch with tiny ridges that deliver an intense blast of flavor.

The ridges aren't there by coincidence; they allow too much of that rich 72 percent cacao taste to enter your mouth. So try putting the chocolates onto your tongue with the ridge facing down, and your taste senses will reward you.

At their workshop in Ghent, every piece is handcrafted using only the highest quality ingredients in accordance with centuries-old Belgian traditions. Ultimately, these quality Belgian Neapolitans are individually packaged dark chocolate bits which provide a rich, strong flavor profile, so give them a try!

Pros

  • It has a rich, dark color and a delicate ridged texture.
  • It's also available with probiotic flavoring.

Cons

  • It must be kept at the recommended temperature for long periods of time.

10. Divine Exquisitely Rich Dark Chocolate

Divine Chocolate is a mission-driven global organization. Their goal is to help bring an end to cocoa abuse and create a world wherein farmers can thrive. Their business approach is based on the concept that workers should be compensated for the profits they contribute to.

This dark chocolate boasts 85% cocoa and is unquestionably one of the finest chocolate you'll ever try. It has a smooth texture and isn't bitter at all. It is free of palm oil, soy, and added flavors. The bar may, nevertheless, include traces of milk, almonds, and coconut.

Each bar is around 3 oz. in weight and spans 19.6 x 6.6 x 6.6 inches. Furthermore, every bar has practically two servings, with 16 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and a maximum of 36 grams of fat.

Pros

  • This dark chocolate is nutritious, creamy, and tasty.
  • It is reasonably priced and provides adequate nutrients.

Cons

  • It won't always be free from dairy.
  • Milk, grain, almond, hazelnut, or coconut may be present in traces.

About THE AUTHOR

Lori Gilmore

Lori Gilmore

Lori has been a Culinary Arts instructor for twenty years. She has taught in the public school setting, at the collegiate level and through adult continuing education as well as running several cooking and baking camps for children. She has participated in several cooking, cake & chocolate contests and has been well recognized. She has raised thousands of dollars for charities using the byline “Saving the World one Cupcake at a Time”. Additionally, she has had several articles regarding food published in various magazines.

Read More About Lori Gilmore