Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Dark chocolate is one of those controversial ingredients. Either you love its bitter flavor and intensity—or you don't. If you're a member of the former camp, then this list is for you. Don't click away if you're the latter, though: we've got a few selections that may just bring you over to the dark side. But before we get to that, here are a few things about dark chocolate you need to know.
What Is Dark Chocolate?
The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the Olmecs of southern Mexico, who were probably the first people to ferment, roast, and grind cacao beans. But what we'd today think of as dark chocolate likely hit full tilt during Mayan times, when it was used to make drinks for celebrations and medicinal purposes. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th century, however, that modern chocolate manufacturers like Nestlé and Cadbury came on the scene. They heralded the era of milk chocolate, which went on to become the most most popular style of chocolate across the globe.
Dark chocolate, however, has—and has always had—a unique charm. Though it technically has no legal definition, within the confectionery industry dark chocolate is recognized as having a cocoa content of 50 percent or higher. (To use the word "chocolate" in the U.S., a chocolate bar must have at least 10 percent cocoa—which is kind of a low bar!) As for the other 50 percent? It's made up of milk, sugar, or any other ingredients the chocolate makers add.
Why Do People Love It?
The bitter stuff enjoyed a wave of popularity in the late 20th and early 21st century when an array of studies suggested that dark chocolate had health benefits. It was likely too good to be true, though: Vox found that a lot of these studies had dubious backers (many were funded by Big Chocolate companies, like Mars, Incorporated) and further studies found that cocoa likely can’t, in fact, directly lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Sure, dark chocolate is probably better for you than milk chocolate and does contain flavanols, a chemical compound in fruits and veggies that can improve blood flow. But the amount of these flavanols varies from product to product, and most of them also pack not-so-healthy extras like sugar.
Still, dark chocolate has benefits beyond the health realm. Generally speaking, the higher a chocolate bar's cocoa content, the less sweet its flavor. When the palate isn't bombarded by sugar, it's better able to pick up on the chocolate's more nuanced notes, like fruitiness or nuttiness.
So, long story short, don’t eat dark chocolate thinking you’re being healthy. Instead, be like the Mayans and eat dark chocolate to celebrate life and appreciate its wide range of flavors. Here’s a list of dark chocolate brands we love.
Lindt Lindt Excellence Bar
This bar's 70 percent cocoa content makes it relatively dark, but not so dark that it's off-puttingly bitter. Creamy and balanced, its flavor is intense but not overwhelming.
Take this chocolate's name—"Intense Dark"—at its word. These squares clock in at a whopping 86 percent cacao, so they're not for the casual chocolate eater. Amazon shoppers love their bitterness, intense chocolate flavor, and that they're individually wrapped. After all, this is one treat you may want to eat in small doses!
We love Mr. Chocolate Jacques Torres here at Delish, and his chocolate bars, too. Torres uses this House Blend dark chocolate to make all of his popular dark chocolate bonbons and chocolate chip cookies. On its own, the flavor is rich and, at 60 percent, sweet enough to tempt some milk chocolate lovers.
Hu Chocolate is all about the no's. No refined or cane sugar, no dairy or soy, no palm oils, and no emulsifiers. It only has four ingredients: cocoa, unrefined organic coconut sugar, cocoa butter, and sea salt. Many Paleo reviewers swear by this stuff, which is one of the few Paleo-approved chocolate products on the market.
If you dig a chocolate bar brand with a mission, that's what Endangered Species is all about. The company donates 10 percent of its annual net profits to conservation organizations like the National Forest Foundation. Oh, and its chocolate is good, too. At 88 percent, this is a boldly-flavored, full-bodied bar with a velvety and smooth texture.
For dark chocolate without the bitterness, Godiva is right up your alley. "There is no bitterness, just a deep, rich chocolate flavor," reports one reviewer. "The mouthfeel is perfect, not waxy or gritty like cheap chocolates." Who needs more convincing than that?
One of the first things you'll notice when unwrapping a Bouchard chocolate are the ridges one one side, which are designed to increase the chocolate's surface area. Bouchard is betting that more surface area equals more contact with your tongue's taste buds, making for a more delicious and intense chocolate experience. Hot tip: The company recommends eating the chocolate ridge-side-down and allowing it to slowly melt on the tongue.
Walmart Recalls Nearly 1 Million Water Bottles
Restaurants Offer Major Discounts In Response To McDonald's Snack Wrap Return
The Worst Things Health Inspectors Have Seen
I Tried McDonald's Snack Wrap After Its Decade-Long Hiatus
