Dark chocolate feels rich, tastes amazing and can be loaded with health benefits. But not all dark chocolate is created equally.
First up, let’s bust a myth: yes, you CAN eat chocolate in moderation on our I Quit Sugar: 8-Week Program!
But while we recommend going for dark chocolate with 85 per cent or higher, even at that strength many brands contain a lot of sugar. So we went choccie shopping for eight supermarket varieties to help you find the best ones. Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!
- Well Naturally No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate (45g), $2.80
One of the few brands that was genuinely fructose-free! Instead, this bar is sweetened with stevia and the smallest amount of polydextrose – a form of glucose.
Rachel: What sorcery is this? It’s very sweet at first, then leaves a bitter aftertaste. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll eat this… but I will be very confused while doing so.
[Editor’s note: Stevia can have a slightly bitter aftertaste if you’re not used to it, but it’s more pronounced for some people than others.]
Lee: For some reason, this tastes “sweeter” than other bars although it’s actually lower in sugar. You’d have to be careful to stick to a couple of squares and not eat it all in one sitting!
Anneliese: It’s much sweeter than I would prefer but a good option for those new to the dark chocolate arena.
- Lindt Excellence 85 % Cocoa Extra Dark (200g), $4
One of the few supermarket brands with a 90 per cent dark chocolate version this is one to consider if you’re ready to graduate to the next level. It also has a more modest sugar content (11g per 100g) compared to other brands, so you could slip in another couple of squares without hitting your daily sugar intake!
Rachel: Velvety, crisp and that classic Lindt flavour. This is my favourite.
Lee: I use this when I’m making truffles or need a bit of a dark chocolate drizzle on a dessert. You really can’t go wrong with this one.
Anneliese: Lindt is always a winner in my eyes. Surprisingly not too bitter for an “extra dark” chocolate.
- Green & Black’s Organic Dark 85% (100g), $4
Green & Black’s dark chocolate is one of the most ethical offerings at the supermarket and also one of the more virtuous. As well as being certified organic and fair trade, this bar is made with only five ingredients (including 13.7g of sugar per 100g).
Rachel: This one will definitely get you through a mid-afternoon sugar craving. The Madagascan vanilla lends a mellow sweetness that is perfect for anyone new to the whole “dark chocolate” thing.
Lee: You know that “snap” that you get when you break into a good fine chocolate? Well, this one has got it. It’s a good middle ground for those wanting something “sweet” but not overly so.
Anneliese: Not too sweet, not too bitter, this one will easily satisfy your sugar cravings.
- Cadbury Coco 86% Dark (100g), $4
Cadbury has crashed the dark chocolate party and while we were sceptical, we were also pleasantly surprised. The 100g block contains slightly less sugar, at 13.1g, but we’re deducting points for including the suspicious-looking “flavour” as an ingredient.
Rachel: It’s fragrant, creamy and surprisingly sweet for 86 per cent cacao. Is this really Cadbury?
Lee: The bitter notes of this particular variety are surprising “sweet”. And it doesn’t leave your mouth feeling dry like some dark chocolate can.
Anneliese: Creamy and much sweeter than I expected. It also has a slightly bitter aftertaste, so it’s easy to stop after a few squares.
- Alter Eco Dark Blackout Organic Chocolate 85% (80g), $5.85
Made with Ecuadorian cocoa, this gets ticks for being organic and fair trade. However, it has a higher sugar content than other brands, at 15g per 100g block.
Rachel: Before you even taste it, you’re hit with fresh, fruity notes of chocolate. Then you taste it and WOW. So creamy, rich and intense. I wish the sugar content was slightly lower, though.
Lee: This one was a pleasant change. It was velvety and almost refreshing. I love a good pun and the “alter eco” pressed on the surface won me over, too.
Anneliese: Creamy, decadent and a generous-sized square. It’s just a shame about its higher sugar content.
- Loving Earth Raw Organic 85% Dark (80g), $6.27
Products with minimal ingredients generally impress us. Unfortunately, while this chocolate is only made with three, the second is high-fructose evaporated coconut nectar. One to avoid if you’re looking for a dark chocolate that’s genuinely sugar-free.
Rachel: This chocolate is harder than maths. I don’t mind the flavour, but the texture is questionable. Maybe we got a bad batch?
Lee: I think I just chipped a tooth! This piece is definitely more solid than the others. It also has a wine-y aftertaste that reminds me of old (not-so-good) 21st birthday parties.
Anneliese: Missing the creamy texture of previously tested chocolates. Not a fan of the flavour either.
- Pana Chocolate Raw Eighty (45g), $6.65
It may be dairy-, soy- and gluten-free but unfortunately this raw chocolate is not sugar-free. In fact, it’s sweetened with fructose-filled agave nectar, bringing its sugar content up to a whopping 21.7g per 100g.
Rachel: It’s like rich, velvety chocolate butter. But with high-fructose agave nectar, I’d keep this for a very occasional treat, like a birthday. Otherwise, pass me the Lindt!
Lee: This reminds me of brownies. But at nearly $7 for a teeny block and not actually sugar-free, I’m going to think twice before taking it to a party.
Anneliese: Love the fudge-like texture and decadent flavour, but with such a high sugar content it’s easy to see where this comes from.
- Naked Truth (101g), $2.50
Warning! This brand looks like a healthy artisanal dark chocolate, but the Salted Flakes Dark Chocolate block only features 34 per cent cocoa! Plus the first ingredient is sugar (it has 57.6 per cent in total!). This is exactly why we recommend you always read the fine print!
Rachel: The texture is chalky and it tastes like the throwaway chocolate you get in the bottom of an Easter showbag.
Lee: This kind of reminds me of my childhood. Where I’d mix milk chocolate with Macca’s fries and didn’t know better. No way is this dark chocolate.
Anneliese: Too sweet and not a fan of the initial burst of saltiness.
Not convinced about these brands? Watch out for another post about what to look for in a dark chocolate next month.
Time to reclaim your health?
Quit sugar and find food freedom. Join our 8-Week Program now!
0 comments :
Post a Comment