Chocolate Labelling: What to Look For?

If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ve probably noticed that there are many different types of chocolate available on the market. From milk chocolate to dark chocolate, and everything in between, it can be difficult to know what to look for when buying bean-to-bar chocolate. In this article, we’ll break down the key elements of chocolate labelling and provide tips for choosing the best bean-to-bar chocolate.

chocolate labelling

Understanding Chocolate Labelling

Cocoa Content

The cocoa content of chocolate refers to the percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter in the chocolate. This number is usually listed on the packaging, and the higher the percentage, the more intense and bitter the chocolate flavour will be. Bean-to-bar chocolate typically has a higher cocoa content than mass-produced chocolate, which is often diluted with other ingredients.

Bean-to-bar chocolate is made from beans sourced from specific regions around the world, and the origin of the beans can have a big impact on the flavour of the chocolate. Look for chocolate that specifies the origin of the beans, such as Madagascar, Venezuela, or Ecuador. This information can usually be found on the packaging or the chocolate maker’s website.

Origin

Bean to Bar

One of the key indicators of quality when it comes to chocolate is whether it is bean to bar. This means that the chocolate maker has control over the entire chocolate-making process, from sourcing the beans to roasting, grinding, and conching them into chocolate. Look for chocolate that specifies that it is bean to bar, as this is a sign that the chocolate is likely to be of high quality.

The ingredients listed on the chocolate packaging can give you a good sense of the quality of the chocolate. Look for chocolate that uses high-quality ingredients such as cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla. Avoid chocolate that contains artificial flavours, vegetable oils, or other additives.

Ingredients

Certified

Some chocolate makers choose to obtain certifications that indicate that their chocolate is produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ on the chocolate packaging. These certifications indicate that the chocolate maker is committed to environmental sustainability, fair labour practices, and the well-being of cocoa farmers.

When buying bean-to-bar chocolate, look for high cocoa content, origin, bean-to-bar production, high-quality ingredients, and certifications. By paying attention to these key elements of chocolate labelling, you can ensure that you’re getting a high-quality chocolate that is delicious, sustainable, and ethical.