There are limited people who do not adore chocolate. Many people know that chocolate is a fine product made from cocoa beans, but have you ever wondered how many different types or kinds of chocolate there are? It’s amazing how many fascinating varieties of chocolate there are.
Cocoa powder is an unsweetened powder made from slightly defatted cocoa beans. This powder gives chocolate its rich taste. It is available in two variants: processed in the Netherlands, alkalized, and natural. The powder is light brown in color and has a strong odor. Alkalized chocolate is softer, less acidic, and darker in color.
Unsweetened chocolate is called “dark chocolate” and is a pure chocolate liquor made from ground cocoa beans. It has a fairly bitter taste and is often used in cooking. Due to its high cocoa solids and cocoa butter content, unsweetened chocolate gives a more intense taste to baked goods. It is used as the main ingredient in all chocolates except white chocolate.
Dark chocolate contains sugar, vanilla, cocoa butter, lecithin as an emulsifier, and chocolate liquor. Milk powder is never added to dark chocolate. The intensity of dark chocolate is determined by the cocoa content, which varies between 30 and 70%.
Dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate are classified as dark chocolate. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definition, dark chocolate must have a cocoa content of at least 35%. Most dark chocolate bars contain 50% chocolate liquor. Dark chocolate has a stronger bitter taste than sweet or semi-sweet dark chocolate. Since there are no FDA regulations regarding sugar content, the sweetness can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Dark chocolate also has a cocoa solids content of at least 35% but is sweeter than dark chocolate.
Also read: Sweeten the Playoff Party with Dark and Milk Chocolate Bars
Dark chocolate is dark chocolate in the sense that it does not contain dairy components. This chocolate has a higher sugar content and is, therefore, sweeter than other types of chocolate. Most bitter-sweet chocolates contain 20-40% dry cocoa.
Whole milk chocolate, made from condensed or powdered milk mixed with chocolate liquor, is one of the most popular types of chocolate. This milk solids content can be up to 12% of the chocolate. It is generally sweeter, has a lighter color, and has a mild chocolate taste.
White chocolate gets its name from the cocoa butter it contains. This chocolate does not contain any products other than cocoa butter. As a result, this chocolate has a sweet chocolate taste, a vanilla aroma, and a lighter color.
Coverture and its sister chocolates are used by confectioners and contain a higher amount of cocoa butter and cocoa liquor, which explains their higher price. The chocolate is soft and melts quickly.
Gianduja chocolate is made from chocolate and nut paste. It is used to flavor milk chocolate or dark chocolate. Chocolate with frosting is candy and contains small amounts of cocoa. There are different types of chocolate for different occasions. All these types of chocolate are very interesting and bring variety to your life.
People love chocolate and there is no better gift than handmade truffles or chocolates. The question is: which one to choose?
About Author
Sara is a qualified food expert at Main food line, Canada. She had graduated from the University of Cambridge. Sara loves to write about healthy nutrients which help to prevent the human body from various diseases. So people enjoy a healthy lifestyle. She is well experienced in christmas chocolate and has an impressive portfolio of serving international clients.
