Chocolate is there for us all when we need it. Whether you're having a bad day at work or are going through something tough, we all have our favourite chocolate that we go to for comfort and that is usually one of the three main flavours (Milk, dark or white chocolate).
These chocolates are all unique and are made in different ways to create different flavours - from a sweet dark chocolate that has a bitter taste to a milky and creamy milk chocolate bars. Whatever you choose, that chocolaty taste is one of the best feelings out there.
There is a wider variety of chocolates, including some that you may never have heard of, so dive into our blog and find out more about the different types of chocolate.
Chocolates are beneficial if consumed in the right amount and quality. Do you know what’s exciting? A chocolate hamper!
How Many Types of Chocolate Are There?
In the UK, there are various chocolate flavours available, but the three main types of chocolate are white chocolate, dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Outside of these three, there is a wide range, including Ruby Chocolate which is made from a certain type of cocoa beans.
Chocolate hasn't always been solid or sweet, in fact, it was originally a bittersweet chocolate drink and the beans were also used as a form of currency!
The Different Types of Chocolate
Chocolate comes in different forms, tastes, shapes, and sizes. There is white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, sweetened, unsweetened, and many many more. One of the most famous chocolate brands out there is from Dairy Milk, Reese’s, and Hershey’s that are available all around the world. And with chocolate delivery to your doorstep becoming more and more popular it's easy to get your favourite chocolate via the click of a button.
In the UK, one of the most popular chocolate bars is the Cadbury Dairy Milk. The creamy texture is unlike any other and has been enjoyed for generations. (You'll be pleased to know, a range of Cadbury products can be found in our Chocolate Hampers!)
Milk Chocolate
Put your hands up if Milk Chocolate is your favourite type of chocolate? In a survey, it was found that 67% of Brits would opt for milk chocolate so we'd expect quite a few of you to have your hands up!
By far, Milk Chocolate is the most popular, but why? Well milk chocolate contains a lot of sugar and milk to create the creamy texture and taste. True chocolate does have a bitter taste, and this isn't enjoyed by everyone!
This type of chocolate has been enjoyed since 1875 and we have a sneaking suspicion it will be around for many years to come.
Dark Chocolate
If you're looking for a bitter flavour for your taste buds, dark chocolate is the one for you. With a lot less sugar content mixed with the cocoa products, you get a taste closer to solid chocolate made with cocoa beans.
This bold and robust flavour allows you to enjoy the rich chocolate flavour. There are different strengths of dark chocolate right up to 99% and there are different types like dark baking chocolate! Now from experience we can confirm that it is very bitter. A number of well known brands have also introduced flavours to dark chocolate.
White Chocolate
Technically, white chocolate isn't really chocolate. It contains a blend of sugar, cocoa butter, milk products, lecithin and vanilla but does not contain any solid chocolate so it is not really a chocolate and has a less pronounced chocolate taste.
But, it is one of the three types of 'chocolate' that we all know and love. With classic chocolates like Milky bars being a classic sweet in the past, it's hard to let this one go, which is why this very sweet chocolate is many peoples favourite.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a natural, edible fat extracted from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cocoa tree. It has a rich, creamy texture and a mild chocolate aroma.
Cocoa butter is a key ingredient in chocolate production, providing the smoothness and melt-in-your-mouth quality that chocolate lovers enjoy. It's also widely used in cosmetics and skincare products for its moisturizing properties and ability to soften and hydrate the skin.
Additionally, cocoa butter is sometimes used in pharmaceuticals and in the production of soaps and lotions.
Unsweetened Chocolate
Unsweetened chocolate, also known as baking chocolate or bitter chocolate, is pure chocolate liquor formed from roasted cacao beans.
It contains no added sugar or sweeteners, giving it a rich, intense chocolate flavour that is bitter on its own. Unsweetened chocolate is primarily used in baking (Cocoa Powder) and cooking to add depth and richness to recipes.
It's often combined with sugar and other ingredients to create various desserts, such as brownies, cakes, cookies, and chocolate sauces. Because it lacks sugar, unsweetened chocolate is not typically eaten on its own and is best enjoyed when incorporated into recipes.
Chocolate Liquor
Chocolate liquor, despite its name, doesn't contain alcohol. It's actually a thick, dark paste made from finely ground cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cacao tree. After the cocoa beans are roasted and ground, they release cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Chocolate liquor contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter in roughly equal proportions.
This chocolate liquor is the purest form of chocolate and serves as the base for all chocolate products. When manufacturers want to make different types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate, they adjust the ratios of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and sometimes milk solids.
Ruby Chocolate
Ruby chocolate is a unique variety of chocolate that was introduced by Barry Callebaut, one of the world's largest cocoa processors. It is distinguished by its naturally pink color and fruity, berry-like flavour profile.
Ruby chocolate is made from specially selected cocoa beans that undergo a unique processing method developed by Barry Callebaut. During processing, the cocoa beans undergo specific treatment to unlock the ruby colour and distinctive flavour compounds naturally present in the beans. The exact process is proprietary and has not been fully disclosed by the company.
Unlike traditional dark, milk, and white chocolates, ruby chocolate does not contain any added colouring or flavoring agents to achieve its pink hue and fruity taste. Instead, it is derived solely from the ruby cocoa beans and the processing method.
Gianduja Chocolate
Gianduja chocolate is a type of chocolate that originated in Italy, specifically in the Piedmont region. It's a blend of chocolate and finely ground hazelnuts, typically in a 1:1 ratio. Named after a carnival character from the 18th century, Gianduja is known for its smooth texture, rich flavour, and nutty undertones.
To make Gianduja chocolate, hazelnuts are roasted, ground, and then blended with melted chocolate, usually milk chocolate, though dark chocolate variants exist as well. This mixture is then refined to achieve a smooth consistency.