Types of Chocolate

All Types Of Chocolate

When most people hear the word “chocolate,” undoubtedly, they find their mouths begin to water. Chocolate is undeniably loved all over the world by everyone of all ages. However, there is more than one kind of chocolate.  

The different types of chocolate are distinguished by the percentage of cocoa mass (chocolate liquor and cocoa butter, both derived from the cacao bean) it contains and the overall percentage of sugar, milk solids and other ingredients.

Now, the question is—what are the different kinds of chocolate? Continue reading to find the types of chocolates available.

 

Dark Chocolate

To create this type of chocolate, a combination of cocoa solids, sugar and sometimes additional cocoa butter is used. Adding lecithin, which serves as an emulsifier, and vanilla for a whisper of flavor is absolutely not necessary, but some chocolate makers do include them in their recipe. The amount of cocoa used in this kind of chocolate will generally range from 60 percent upward. Dark chocolate contains the most antioxidants, theobromine and is considered a superfood. 

 

White Chocolate

While most of the other varieties on this chocolate types list contain a certain percentage of cocoa solids, white chocolate does not contain any cocoa solids. Instead, this type of chocolate relies only on cocoa butter. Because it contains only cocoa butter, white chocolate doesn't offer a very chocolatey taste but is more along the lines of a smooth and creamy vanilla. The ratios for white chocolate are typically a minimum of 20 percent cocoa butter, a maximum of 55 percent sugar and around 15 percent solids from milk. White chocolate does not contain theobromine.

 

Milk Chocolate

This kind of chocolate is perhaps the most widely known type. Milk chocolate is much sweeter than its counterparts like bittersweet chocolate and dark chocolate. This sweetness comes from 10 percent cocoa solids mixed with up to 90 percent sugar and milk solids. On the other hand, craft chocolate milk bars usually contain between 35 to 55 percent cocoa. This ratio of ingredients also gives milk chocolate a lighter color and offers a weaker chocolate taste.  

 

Ruby Chocolate

Ruby chocolate is the latest and newest addition to the chocolate family. Introduced by Barry Callebaut in 2017, ruby chocolate is made up of ruby cocoa beans that give the chocolate its rosy hue. Ruby cocoa beans are not anything new; rather, this is the name given to the beans used to make ruby chocolate. Even though the chocolate has no berry content, there are those who say it has the flavor of white chocolate and berries.

 

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is made by cold-pressing raw cacao beans. It does not contain any sweetness. Cocoa powder is used in many recipes to produce a deep chocolate flavor. Cocoa powder has a lot of nutritional benefits that range from healthy digestion to lower blood pressure to reduced heart disease risk. Many use cocoa powder in baked goods. 


Sweet German Chocolate

Named after its creator, Samuel German, sweet German chocolate is dark chocolate used primarily in baking. Samuel German added sugar directly to the chocolate to make it convenient for bakers to use. This addition, in turn, made this variety sweeter than its counterpart, semi-sweet chocolate. It is this kind of chocolate that is used today in the German chocolate cake.

 

Semi-sweet Chocolate

Semi-sweet chocolate contains around 60 percent cacao and has slightly more sugar than bittersweet chocolate. These different kinds of chocolate can be used interchangeably when baking, and semi-sweet chocolate is a popular choice widely used in many recipes because it works well with other ingredients. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both types of chocolate must contain a minimum of 35 percent cocoa solids. 

 

Bittersweet Chocolate

Bittersweet chocolate contains about 70 percent cacao and can be used instead of semi-sweet chocolate in any recipe. While these different types of chocolate must contain at least 35 percent cacao according to the FDA, most chocolate in this category contains a much higher percentage of cacao. Bittersweet chocolate has a rich flavor and smooth texture, making it ideal for baking.

 

Unsweetened Chocolate

Also referred to as baking chocolate, it is just as the name implies—unsweetened. Unsweetened chocolate is pure chocolate liquor created from ground cocoa beans and poured into bars. It is referred to as baking chocolate because it is used in recipes where it is combined with butter or cream to smooth out the consistency and sweetener is added. In its simplest form, it is not very tasty, and it is not intended to be consumed in its solitary form. However, it can add a deeper, richer chocolate flavor to a recipe when combined with other ingredients. It is also the base for the creation of several different chocolate types.

 

Couverture Chocolate

Because this type of chocolate contains a much higher percentage of cocoa butter than the other types of chocolate on this list, it tends to be more expensive (craft chocolate not included). Couverture chocolate offers a lower melting point due to the high cocoa butter content, and it melts evenly. This lower melting point makes it the perfect choice when needing chocolate to temper well or to make candies. It also comes in different chocolate varieties, such as milk, white, and dark.

 

Vegan Chocolate

Vegan chocolate is created without ingredients sourced from animals. For example, high-quality bean-to-bar dark chocolate can be considered vegan chocolate. To ensure that the chocolate is, in fact, vegan, it is essential to make sure that the cacao content is at least 55 percent or higher and that organic sugar is used. Non-organic sugar is filtered through bone char.

 

 

Cococlectic is a chocolate-of-the-month subscription club. We feature vegan, non-GMO, fair-trade and ethically sourced dark chocolate that’s made by American craft chocolate makers. Chocolate do not contain soy, gluten, dairy or nuts, but it may be produced in a facility that handles these ingredients. Their products contain only cocoa beans, sugar and sometimes cocoa butter. 

Cococlectic sells only dark chocolate in their online chocolate shop, where you can purchase different types of chocolate from the best craft chocolate makers here in the United States. If you want a chocolate box with other bars, purchase the Office Box

Leave a comment