There aren’t many things in life that beat tucking into a really good bar of chocolate. But with more and more chocolatiers entering an already crowded market, which will be the most delicious and satisfying?
It’s time to say goodbye to mass-market bars such as Mars and Kit Kat, whose sales are slumping, and hello to chocolate from the likes of Hotel Chocolat, Green & Blacks and Rococo, which continue to enjoy a continued rise in sales. Although a difficult task, we’ve munched our way through a range of brands, to reveal those chocolate bars that we think really hit the mark.
And for those with ethical concerns and/or dietary requirements, as well as those on a budget, fear not – as we’ve got you covered too.
How to buy the best chocolate for you
What ingredients should I look out for?
Less is more when it comes to good chocolate, and fewer than six simple ingredients is what you should be looking for. Cocoa beans should always be first on the list, and you’ll probably see sugar, cocoa butter and milk in there too. If you’re buying a flavoured or filled chocolate bar, the number of ingredients will obviously be longer, but look for natural flavourings, organic where possible. If you come across additives you’ve never heard of, or any obscure numbers, put it back on the shelf.
What about the country of origin?
Check the label for the country (or countries) of origin. Each has its own flavour qualities. Chocolate from Vietnam will have fruity, spicy notes, while Ecuador flavours are more flora, for example. If only the country (or countries) is mentioned, the chocolate bar may be made from a blend of beans and it could be processed. If a specific region, plantation or even farmer is mentioned, the chocolatier probably works directly with cocoa farms, which is good news. “Bean to bar” indicates the chocolatier has been involved in every step of the process – which is even better news. You’ll often see “single origin” on packaging, which means the chocolate is made using beans from one specific place – but it doesn’t mean the chocolate is made in that country.
How much do I have to pay?
A decent bar of chocolate will set you back far more than a Bounty or Wispa, for example. The best chocolate takes a lot of skill and time to produce, which costs money. Think of a good chocolate bar like a fine wine. And remember that cheaper chocolate that costs a mere quid will often be undercutting the farmer and the flavour. With the cocoa industry being rife with human rights abuses, that matters.
Do awards count for anything?
Definitely, since this is a reliable indication of quality.
Any myths?
Plenty. For instance, milk chocolate isn’t necessarily of inferior quality to dark, nor does it automatically contain more sugar. The concept of raw chocolate, too, is pretty dubious – it’s almost impossible for it to actually be raw. Don’t be fooled by beautiful wrappers: some of the best bars come in unimpressive packaging, while some mediocre bars are wrapped in the glossiest, sleekest casing. Watch out for the words “handmade” and “artisan” on packaging; they don’t necessarily mean anything and are often misleading.
The best chocolate bars to buy
1. Chococo Chocolat Madagascar 65% Milk Chocolate: The most indulgent milk chocolate you can buy
Price when reviewed:£5.95 | Buy now from Chococo
Only a small bite or maybe two, we promised ourselves – enough to savour the flavour and ponder whether it made the cut for this roundup. Well, the bar didn’t last the morning. We’re not kidding when we say this is easily the best single-origin milk chocolate we’ve ever tried.
It’s a “bean to bar” offering that hails from Madagascar, made from Grand Cru de Sambirano cocoa beans. It has an intensity of fruit, raisin and citrus notes, softened by the creaminess of the (27%) milk. There’s far less sugar here than most dark chocolates, so you don’t get that sickening feeling on consuming more than a few pieces. It’s soya-free too, with sunflower lecithin used in its place.
It’s also good to know that this chocolate isn’t just fairtrade; it’s “raisetrade” – which means the producers raise value in the country of origin, thereby reducing the economic gap between countries. The fine cocoa only grows in the rainforest, creating a sustainable growing haven for the endangered animals and fauna of Madagascar. But it doesn’t come cheap.
Key features – Weight: 100g; Suitable for vegetarians: yes; Suitable for vegans: no; Organic: no; Fairtrade: yes; Single origin: yes
2. Green & Black’s Butterscotch: Best chocolate with crunch
Price when reviewed:£2 | Buy now from Amazon
So many chocolatiers get butterscotch bars wrong: too sugary, too brittle or even too soft. Not so with this beauty from G&B, the original fair-trade chocolatiers. The crisp butterscotch is made specifically for them in Yorkshire, and the toffee flavours are enhanced with a hint of molasses to give a syrupy flavour that cuts through the smooth milk chocolate perfectly; there’s a hint of vanilla, too.
Free of any harmful additives or artificial flavouring, the chocolate – which will appeal to those who prefer chocolate on the sweeter side – comes from Belize and the Dominican Republic, where G&B buys directly from cocoa farmers. It’s makes the perfect accompaniment to single malt whisky or espresso after dinner.
Key features – Weight: 100g, Suitable for vegetarians: yes; Suitable for vegans: no; Organic: yes; Fairtrade: yes; Single origin: no
3. Hotel Chocolat Caramel & Co Chocolate Bar Selector: Best chocolate bar for all the family
Price when reviewed:£3.95 | Buy now from Hotel Chocolat
We thought long and hard about which of Hotel Chocolat’s many ranges to include here – with both their Supermilk collection and their new Rare and Vintage selection among those that are easily worthy of a place in this roundup. In the end, it was the Selector range that won us over for its combination of sheer indulgence and appeal to the whole family. More a slab than a bar, the chunkiness alone will prove satisfying, with “nibbly florentines” giving exquisite texture to swirled 40% milk chocolate and caramel-milk chocolate. Whether you’re nine or 90, this is a treat that you’ll want to go on forever.
Key features – Weight: 100g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: No; Fairtrade: No; Single origin: No
4. Montezuma’s Chilli and Lime Milk Chocolate: Best chocolate with chilli
Price when reviewed:£2.60 | Buy now from Amazon
Montezuma’s quirky flavour combinations are nearly always a winner. And this is one of its most moreish blends yet. Initially a limited edition made specifically for a chilli festival in the South Downs, it proved such a hit that it’s been a bestseller ever since. You’d think chilli would go better with dark chocolate, but actually the sweetness of the silky smooth milk chocolate, the tanginess of the lime and the chilli kick that provides a lingering finish are a combination made in heaven.
Montezuma’s was established in 2000 by Helen and Simon Pattinson, who, tired of their jobs as financial lawyers in London, embarked on a trip in which they stumbled upon San Carlos de Bariloche, an entire town dedicated to chocolate. Today, the company specialises in the use of spices, herbs and essential oils, and has won numerous awards for its products.
Key features - Weight: 100g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: Yes; Fairtrade: Yes; Single origin: No
5. Divine 85% Dark Chocolate: Best ethical chocolate
Price when reviewed:£2.39 | Buy now from Divine
A winner at 2017’s Great Taste Awards, this is as good as it gets for people who like their dark chocolate rich, intense and bittersweet. With notes of red berries, it goes well with strong coffee, and it works a treat in baking, too – it makes an excellent dark chocolate ganache, as well as great chocolate mousse and torte.
Like all the cocoa used in Divine chocolate, it’s grown in Ghana by Kuapa Kokoo, a co-operative of cocoa farmers who own the largest share of the Divine company, with farmers receiving 44% of the profits. The sugar and vanilla are fairtrade, too: the former from a co-operative in Malawi; the latter from farmers in Madagascar. And if you wanted further proof of the company’s ethical stance, it’s been chosen to receive the Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. Those trying to exercise a little control will be pleased to hear it’s available in a 40g bar, too.
Key features – Weight: 100g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: Yes; Organic: No; Fairtrade: Yes; Single origin: No
6. Artisan du Chocolat Dark Chocolate 100%: Best chocolate for purists
Price when reviewed:£3.99 | Buy now from Artisan du Chocolat
Definitely one for purists, this bar is made of only one ingredient: ground cocoa beans. There’s no sugar, no milk; just fine ground beans that have been conched and refined in the company’s workshop in Kent. If you like your chocolate sweet and mellow, this isn’t for you. This bar is for those who like their chocolate unadulterated, intense and bitter, with a hint of raisin and red fruits.
A mix of three types of bean from three different regions of Colombia ensures a balanced taste, and although it makes a wonderful guilt-free treat on its own, it’s great in cooking, too – particularly stews, chillies and bolognaise. The company has also just launched a soft ice cream with the chocolate at Selfridges, which is delicious.
Key features – Weight: 45g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: Yes; Organic: No; Fairtrade: No; Single origin: Yes
7. Rococo Cardamom White Chocolate Bee Bar: Best white chocolate
Price when reviewed:£5.50 | Buy now from Rococo
Another award-winner – this time from the International Chocolate Awards 2013 – this product has a reassuringly short list of ingredients: cocoa (30%), milk, cane sugar, cocoa butter, milk powder, cardamom emulsifier and soya lecithin. Even more importantly, it’s the best white chocolate bar we could find by far. Unlike so many we tried, it isn’t overly sugary and lacks that candle-wax consistency. Instead, this chocolate is smooth and creamy, with the fragrant ground cardamom perfectly balancing the sweetness.
With a rich British heritage and over 35 years of expertise, Rococo Chocolates has built up a reputation for setting trends, using only the finest ingredients. A 20g bar is available for £1.60.
Key features – Weight: 70g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: Yes; Fairtrade: Yes; Single origin: No
8. Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate Orange Intense: Best orange chocolate
Price when reviewed:£1.99 | Buy now from Tesco
Lindt is a Swiss chocolatier and confectionary company that’s been going since 1845 and is a hit with kids and adults alike. The company’s chocolate is mass produced and some purists say it’s among the most over-rated commercial chocolate available – the chocolate equivalent of fast food.
Nevertheless, we still rate some of its products, including the Excellence range. These top-end thin bars with large squares made from finer ingredients and more aromatic cocoa beans result in more sophisticated, penetrating, and refined flavours. Our favourite is the Dark Chocolate Orange Intense, which combines dark chocolate with nibs of almond and speckles of orange to make for a bittersweet sensory experience that’s a great after dinner treat.
Key features – Weight: 100g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: Yes; Fairtrade: Yes; Single origin: No
9. Amelia Rope Honeycomb & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate Bar: Best chocolate with sea salt
Price when reviewed:£6 | Buy now from Amelia Rope
Salted chocolate is all the rage right now, and this luxury milk chocolate bar with crispy honeycomb and sea salt gets the balance spot on. There’s an equivalent dark chocolate version available, too. Made from 41% single-origin Colombian milk chocolate (the cocoa butter, milk powder, sugar, vanilla and soya lecithin are all Columbian too), the Maldon sea salt and honeycomb come together to give offer a slight sweetness, hint of salt and fantastic crunch for texture.
Like all Amelia Rope bars, it’s made in small batches – it’s pretty much homemade. We give it a big thumbs up for all the packaging being recyclable and plastic-free too.
Amelia has an interesting back-story. A PA for much of her life, she was looking for a new challenge. A contestant on Masterchef in 2006, she set up her business the following year, where she continues to make her award-winning truffles. Amelia launched her first single-origin bars in Selfridges in 2010, and although the brand doesn’t sign up to Fairtrade, it’s known for trading fairly.
Key features – Weight: 70g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: No; Fairtrade: No; Single origin: Yes
10. Chocolate Society Blonde Chocolate & Sea Salt Bar: Best blonde chocolate bar
Price when reviewed:£5.99 | Buy now from Selfridges
Blonde chocolate – the newest type of chocolate to hit the retail market – is a light caramel in colour, with a creamy, toasty texture and sweet and creamy taste. Kind of like posh Caramac, although chocolatiers would probably kill us for saying so.
This blonde bar, which has a touch of Halen Môn sea salt to balance the sweetness, is ridiculously delicious and easily our favourite. From the Chocolate Society, which makes all its chocolates in Somerset under head chocolatier Alasdair Garnsworthy, it comes in super-snazzy packaging.
The company was founded in 1991 by three chocolate enthusiasts and now has quite a following among those who are after something a bit different. But we defy anyone to stop at just one bite.
Key features – Weight: 70g; Suitable for vegetarians: Yes; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: No; Fairtrade: No; Single origin: No
11. Godiva Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Crisp: Best nutty chocolate
Price when reviewed:£6 | Buy now from Godiva
This decadent single-origin 42% milk chocolate bar with hazelnut nibs is made using top-notch beans from Mexico (where ancient tribes were the first to make chocolate with cocoa, or “food of the Gods”).
Pairing well with coffee – the hazelnut complements more nutty coffees – it’s part of a wider range that includes other flavours such as dark chocolate toasted coconut and milk chocolate salted caramel.
We love the unusual square packaging and the way Godiva continues to push boundaries of chocolate making. The company is a big player in the market, with over 600 “boutiques” across more than 100 countries, creating more than 40 new recipes every year.
Key features – Weight: 75g; Suitable for vegetarians: No; Suitable for vegans: No; Organic: No; Fairtrade: No; Single origin: Yes