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Dark chocolate reviews

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Last updated: 01 October 2020
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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers, verifiers and subject experts. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

We blind taste test and compare 37 supermarket dark chocolate blocks, from brands including Cadbury, Lindt and Nestle to find the best.

  • Discover the top-rated dark chocolate by CHOICE experts.
  • Sort by price, percentage of cocoa, sugar content and more.
  • Check out the dark chocolate buying guide for sugar levels, what makes chocolate 'good', and a simple guide to melting chocolate in the microwave.
  • We've partnered with Shop Ethical on this review to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company (not product).
  • Get your free guide to all our taste test winners.
 
How we test

Products

We tested 37 chocolate blocks labelled as ‘dark’ (including cooking/compound chocolate) that are available nationally in major supermarket chains. We excluded flavoured varieties.

Price is as purchased in Sydney stores (not on special) in August 2020.

Tasting

Our experts tasted the dark chocolate samples 'blind' (without knowing the brands). Two sets of samples (set A and set B) were prepared and posted to each expert. The tasting order was randomised for each expert.

The "A" tasting samples had all packaging removed, and identifying features on the chocolate surface (logo, pattern, etc.) were obscured. Each sample, regardless of the presence of identifying features, was treated the same. Each sample was tasted and independently judged on three criteria: aroma, texture and flavour.

The "B" presentation samples had all packaging removed, but any identifying features remained untouched. These samples were judged on one criterion only: appearance.

Scores

The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, is made up of 90% taste (35% flavour, 35% texture, 5% aroma and 25% appearance) and 10% nutrition (based on the Health Star Rating, calculated from the details in the nutrition information panel and converted to a percentage). We recommend products with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% or more.

Matthew Steen
By Rachel Clemons
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Filter

Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    Pack price in Sydney supermarkets (not on special) in August 2020.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 2.19 and 6.9

    Recommended products

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    Member only

    This test score is for members only. Join now to unlock our expert results.

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    Percentage of cocoa

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    The percentage of cocoa solids as per the ingredients list on the pack.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 15 and 95

    Sugars per 100g (g)

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    As per the nutrition information panel on the pack purchased.

    enter value/s in increments of i between 0.7 and 53.6

    Organic

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    Certified organic, as per the label on the pack.

      Vegan

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      Whether the chocolate is suitable for vegans (contains no animal content).

        Shop Ethical rating

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        Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. N/A means there is no rating for that company.

          Included in this review

          Members-only access
          • Recommended
          • CHOICE Expert Rating
          • Taste test score
          • Nutrition score
          • Shop Ethical rating
          • Pack size (g)
          • Cooking chocolate
          • Vegan
          • Price
          • Price per 100g
          • Energy per 100g (kJ)
          • Protein per 100g (g)
          • Fat per 100g (g)
          • Saturated fat per 100g (g)
          • Sugars per 100g (g)
          • Sodium per 100g (mg)
          • Percentage of cocoa
          • Ingredients
          • Organic
          • Country of origin
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