How can you tell if chocolate is good?

To recognize good chocolate, start by carefully examining the list of ingredients. As a general rule, the fewer ingredients it contains, the better. In addition, an organic certification guarantees higher quality and ensures the product is free of pesticides.

When looking at the ingredients of dark chocolate, first make sure that the main ingredient is cocoa beans, not cocoa mass. This is a key indicator of quality: it means the product has undergone minimal processing. It may also contain sugar. And that’s it! Ideally, this helps preserve the natural qualities and aromas of the cocoa, provided it is made according to best practices. In other words, there’s no need to add a so-called “natural” flavoring, since cocoa already contains natural flavors.

In addition, dark chocolate must contain cocoa butter, an excellent fat that is easily digested, especially when it is naturally sourced and free of chemicals. Therefore, make sure that the ingredients list does not include any milk fat (such as milk, butter, or vegetable oil).

Next, pay attention to the percentage of cocoa in your chocolate bar. The higher the percentage, the less sugar it contains. Also be sure to check that it doesn’t contain any sweeteners. If you choose 100% cocoa chocolate, it contains no added sugar. In this case, the product is no longer called “chocolate,” but rather cocoa paste or cocoa liquor. It contains only the carbohydrates naturally present in the cocoa bean.

In summary, high-quality dark chocolate must contain no milk, no soy lecithin (or any other type of lecithin), no vegetable fats other than cocoa butter, and no added cocoa powder.

Finally, it is important to note that cocoa butter is an essential fat, just like omega-3 (ALA), which the human body recognizes and converts into monounsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which our bodies recognize, is partially converted into DHA and EPA through elongation. In other words, the “grandfather” ALA can yield 25–30% of the “father” DHA and the “son” EPA, depending on the age of your cells. The omega-3s DHA and EPA are found in certain fish with bluish scales, and ALA is found in plants such as flaxseed, under certain conditions.

In conclusion, these factors are essential for maintaining healthy connections between our neurons.

Chocolate can be mixed with various nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) or with flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc.

In the composition of milk chocolate, the main ingredient can be either “cacao beans” or “sugar.” The latter results in a sweeter milk chocolate. It also contains cacao mass, sugar, and milk powder. Milk chocolate always contains cacao butter. Be sure to check the cacao content as well.

Make sure that milk chocolate does not contain soy lecithin or added vegetable fats.

Also check to see if the glycemic index is listed on the chocolate bar. Finally, it's time to taste it.

Omegachoco® has a low glycemic index of 21.

To learn how to enjoy chocolate, click here.

Stay informed about our free webinars on “How to Taste Chocolate” or “How to Choose Good Chocolate” by clicking here.

You can come taste some chocolate at our artisanal organic chocolate shop in Availles en Châtellerault, in the Vienne department (86), 20 minutes from Futuroscope, or order from our online store by clicking here.