Chocolate is undoubtedly one of the most popular sweets in the world. Understanding the various types of chocolate can be confusing. Read on to explore each kind's diverse flavours, compositions, and characteristics. You’ll discover that most chocolate types and flavours are featured in our exclusive range of UK chocolate hampers and gift boxes, perfect for any occasion.
All chocolate begins with cacao beans, which are fermented, dried, and roasted. The inner nibs are then extracted, ground, and liquefied into a blend of cocoa solids and cocoa butter known as chocolate liquor. Sometimes referred to as unsweetened chocolate, this thick, dark paste is the foundation of all chocolate types. It is 100% cocoa and forms the bars, chips, and baking chocolate base.
7 Types of Chocolate You Should Know
Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate is creamy, sweet, and beloved around the world. It contains a minimum of 10% chocolate liquor and 12% milk solids, giving it its smooth, melty texture. The added sugar and dairy make it sweeter and less bitter than dark chocolate.
Its flavour is typically sweet and chocolatey, with notes of caramelised sugar and a hint of vanilla. It’s softer than dark chocolate but firmer than white chocolate.
Milk chocolates are a popular gift choice: our Galaxy chocolate hamper, for instance, features a selection of only milk chocolate!
Dark Chocolate
With its rich, deep colour and bold flavour, dark baking chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids and less sugar than milk chocolate. It’s typically made from just two ingredients: chocolate liquor and sugar.
Benefits of Extra Dark Chocolate:
It's rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and eating dark chocolate has been shown to improve blood flow and may even lower blood pressure.
White Chocolate
White chocolate is often debated among chocolate lovers for not containing any cocoa solids. Made from only cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla, it has a light, creamy texture and an ivory appearance.
It’s perfect for drizzling, dipping, and dessert decorating, though its high sugar content makes it very sweet. Popular brands include Nestlé, Hershey’s, and Morde.
Unsweetened Chocolate
This is pure chocolate liquor, a mix of cocoa solids and cocoa butter with no added sugar or milk. Due to its intense bitterness, it's primarily used in baking recipes that already contain sweeteners. This has a 100% cocoa percentage.
It’s ideal for adding rich cocoa flavour to brownies, cakes, and cookies.
Ruby Chocolate
Ruby chocolate, introduced in 2017 by a Belgian chocolatier, is made from the ruby cocoa bean. Naturally pink in colour and fruity in flavour, it contains no added colouring or fruit.
Expect a creamy texture followed by a tangy berry-like taste. It’s one of the most acidic and flavourful chocolates available.
Top Ruby Chocolate Brand: Tricous Pure Belgium.
Raw Chocolate
Raw chocolate is made from unroasted, fermented cocoa beans to preserve their nutrients and antioxidants.
Produced from high-quality Criollo Arriba cacao beans, it offers a more natural, earthy flavour and is often sweetened with natural ingredients like coconut sugar or agave.
Benefits:
It's high in magnesium, antioxidants, and enzymes. It may boost mood, digestion, brain function, memory, and cardiovascular health.
Semisweet & Bittersweet Chocolate
These chocolates are ideal for baking and cooking:
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Semi-sweet chocolate: ~60% cocoa, slightly sweet
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Bittersweet chocolate: ~70% cocoa, deeper flavour
Though bittersweet contains more cocoa and less sugar, both are often interchangeable in recipes for chocolate cake. They strike a balance between the sweetness of milk chocolate and the intensity of dark chocolate bars.
Health Benefits and Risks of Chocolate
Benefits:
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Rich in antioxidants
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May lower cholesterol and blood pressure
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Can enhance memory and cognitive health
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Supports cardiovascular wellness when consumed in moderation
Risks:
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High-calorie content can lead to weight gain
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May trigger migraines
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High sugar content can cause tooth decay
Why Chocolate Makes the Perfect Gift
Chocolate never fails to bring joy. Whether gifted in a beautifully wrapped box, slipped into a stocking, or arranged in a stunning chocolate hamper, it conveys indulgence and affection with every bite.
Chocolate hampers are versatile and easy to customise. Whether it’s a luxury treat for a birthday, a sweet gesture for Mother’s Day, or a cheerful pick-me-up for a friend, they’re always welcome.
From truffles to cakes, pastries, and bars, a curated chocolate basket offers variety and elegance. For the ultimate chocolate lover, nothing beats the joy of a hamper filled with their favourite treats, delivered with love.