Hailed as the healthier and more sophisticated chocolate treat, dark chocolate has soared in popularity across UK supermarkets in recent years.
Marketed as a less sugary alternative to the indulgent traditional bar, it contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids and is often richer. Its bitter aftertaste is also said to quickly curb sugar cravings.
Nutritional therapist Hanieh Vidmar previously told the Daily Mail: ‘Dark chocolate is obviously the healthier option. It has more of the minerals in it, while milk chocolate is more processed and it has more sugar in it.’
Yet, with the average price of chocolate surging by 9.7 per cent in just one year, dark chocolate fans have taken the biggest hit – with the product’s higher cocoa content putting it at greater risk of inflation.
For sweet-tooth shoppers hoping to splurge on the lavish tasty treat, how can you tell which supermarket varieties are truly worth it?
Authentic dark chocolate must contain cocoa mass and cocoa butter, with a minimum of 43 per cent total cocoa solids. There should also be no trace of palm kernel oil or other vegetable fats, milk, butter fat, whey or artificial flavours.
To ensure maximum product credibility, shoppers should also look for clearly identifiable tags from certificated organisations.
However, of the eight popular brands the Daily Mail assessed, half were found to contain some of these untraditional ingredients, placing them at risk of being deemed as inauthentic types of dark chocolate.
Whether you’re looking for a healthier dark chocolate alternative, or looking for a new sweet treat to pick up during your weekly food shop, being aware of the differences between ‘real’ and ‘fake’ options is key to avoid unnecessary purchases.
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass*, Sugar, Cocoa Butter*, Butteroil (Cows’ Milk), Emulsifier: Soya Lecithin; Vanilla Extract. Cocoa solids 55% minimum.
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance Certified.
VERDICT: INAUTHENTIC. Unfortunately, while this dark chocolate is rather well priced, the product contains cows’ milk and vanilla extract, which are both untraditional ingredients for dark chocolate.
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter. Dark Chocolate contains Cocoa Solids 85% minimum
CERTIFICATION: Fairtrade and the Rainforest Alliance Certified.
VERDICT: AUTHENTIC
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Flavouring
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance Certified.
VERDICT: INAUTHENTIC. While this dark chocolate hits the necessary requirements of a short ingredient list and certification, its flavouring ingredient raises questions about its authenticity.
INGREDIENTS: Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier (Lecithins), Cocoa Solids 44% minimum.
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa.
VERDICT: AUTHENTIC
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla Extract, Certified Organic, Organic Chocolate: minimum Cocoa Solids 70%, Cocoa, Sugar, Vanilla: traded in compliance with Fairtrade Standards, total 100%
CERTIFICATION: The Fairtrade Foundation.
VERDICT: ALMOST AUTHENTIC. While certainly a delicious option, the vanilla component deviates from the traditional list of dark chocolate components and therefore places it at risk of being inauthentic.
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Palm Oil, Hazelnuts (10%), Fat-Reduced Cocoa Powder (3.5%), Cocoa Butter, Whey Powder (Milk), Anhydrous Milk Fat, Emulsifier: Lecithins (Soya), Vanillin, Chocolate contains Cocoa Solids 70% minimum
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.
VERDICT: INAUTHENTIC. With both vanillin and palm oil listed as ingredients, this dark chocolate contains less traditional elements compared to other products.
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Low Fat Cocoa Powder, Cocoa Butter, Demerara Sugar, Dark chocolate contains: Cocoa solids: 99% min, null
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance.
VERDICT: AUTHENTIC
INGREDIENTS: Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier (Sunflower Lecithin)
CERTIFICATION: Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade.
VERDICT: AUTHENTIC
