Eight Popular Chocolate Varieties That Each Chocolate Enthusiast Should Learn

Though there are lots of chocolate addicts, not all of them actually know the different kinds of chocolates on the market. The types are often based on the quantity of materials used in the blend. Here are a few of the very common chocolate varieties:

Not sweetened chocolate

Not sweetened chocolate is typically referred to as bitter or baking chocolate. This type is created from genuine chocolate liquor and comprised entirely of blended cocoa beans. It features a chocolate appearance as well as fragrance however it is not intended to be eaten on its own because it is extremely bitter. It's best for preparing food and provides baked goods an abundant chocolate flavour. With the exclusion of white chocolate, all other chocolate types possess not sweetened chocolate as their base element.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolates are composed of cocao butter, vanilla and sugar, lecithin, and chocolate liquor. Dark chocolate does not consist of any milk solids and its usual cocoa content can vary from 30%, which is thought to be sweet dark, to very dark bars with 70%-80% cocoa content. Bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate are also labeled as dark chocolates.

Semi-sweet chocolates

The label semi-sweet chocolate became well known by the semi-sweet chocolate chips of Nestle Toll House. This chocolate variety has more than 35% cocoa solids and is thought to be more dark compared to sweet dark but sweeter compared to bittersweet. However, the product?s sugar content is not regulated so the classification may vary across different brands.

Bittersweet chocolates

Chocolates that contain greater than 35% cocoa solids are usually labeled as bittersweet chocolates. Many bittersweet chocolate bars possess a minimum of 50% chocolate spirits. Bittersweet chocolate normally possesses a more bitter taste compared to sweet dark or semi-sweet chocolate. Yet, the sugar content of this type isn't managed therefore one business' bittersweet chocolate products may be sweeter compared to the semi-sweet chocolate merchandise of another maker.

Sweet dark chocolate

Sweet dark chocolate is merely regarded as dark chocolate because it does not have milk solids. However, it is still sweeter compared to other dark chocolate varieties. Many sweet dark chocolate brands have 20-40% of cocoa solids in their goods.

Milk chocolate bars

The leading components in milk chocolate are cocoa butter, chocolate liquor and either condensed milk or dry milk solids. Most European whole milk chocolate varieties utilize condensed milk. In order for chocolate to be categorized as milk chocolates, it must include a at least 10% chocolate spirits for United States types, 12% milk solids and 3.39% butter fat. Milk chocolate is famous for being distinctly sweeter compared to dark chocolates and possesses a lighter color and fewer distinct chocolate flavour.

White chocolates

White chocolate consists of cocoa butter, but it doesn't have any chocolate spirits or some other cocoa products. Due to this, white chocolate often includes a distinctive vanilla taste or it can have other flavorings instead of chocolates. So that chocolate products to be labeled as white chocolates, they need to include 14% whole milk solids, 20% cocoa butter and no more than 55% glucose. There are some white chocolate products which substitute vegetable fat for cocoa butter which, theoretically, cannot be called white chocolates.

Couverture chocolate

Couverture chocolates are famous for their high cocoa butter content and chocolate liquor, which make them rather expensive. This specific type is generally liked by candy makers and baking experts because it results in a smooth and quick- and even-melting chocolate product. It is commonly used for enrobing candies and may be bought at cake decorating stores in milk, white or dark varieties.

Each type of chocolate features its own distinctive characteristics and properties, that make it well designed for particular uses.


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Written by Patricia Strasser. To get the best Michigan chocolates, take a look at http://www.champagnechocolates.com/