Scientists have talked a lot about the benefits of chocolate, but many people with a sweet tooth are interested in the question of how dark chocolate differs from bitter chocolate. It turns out that sweets that seem similar at first glance actually have significant differences. This applies to appearance, taste, and price. Our article will help you correctly determine the type of your favorite confectionery product.
What composition of dark chocolate is considered the most healthy?
The more cocoa in chocolate, the more bitterness. The optimal option is considered to contain 72% cocoa. A real bitter product is produced without filling, nuts, and does not have a sour taste.
Chocolate is beneficial, especially for the female body, if consumed in moderation, that is, no more than ¼ of a bar per day. Bitter chocolate:
- stimulates mental activity due to phosphorus content;
- nourishes and enriches the brain;
- regulates and accelerates metabolism due to magnesium content;
- has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
- strengthens teeth due to the fluorine and phosphates contained in chocolate;
- treats a sore throat by sucking a small piece;
- improves mood thanks to magnesium, which is an excellent antidepressant;
- strengthens bones due to calcium content;
- relieves PMS if you eat 25 g of the product before the start of your period;
- prolongs youth due to the content of antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E, selenium, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, which slow down the aging process;
- reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes;
- normalizes cholesterol levels;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- promotes the absorption of sugar due to the content of flavonoids;
- strengthens the heart;
- neutralizes free radicals in the blood;
- improves blood circulation;
- reduces inflammation and the production of cortisol (stress hormone).
It is dark chocolate that is considered a real elixir of health. In addition to all the beneficial qualities described above, it creates a feeling of satiety and makes it possible to eat much less salty and fatty foods. Flavonoids, which are beneficial for blood vessels and the heart, give the delicacy its bitterness. But not everyone likes the bitter taste, and therefore many manufacturers simply do not add flavonoids to the composition when producing tiles.
Eating treats is not contraindicated during pregnancy. It is believed that children are born active and happy.
There are known diets with chocolate, fasting days, when only this one product is consumed for several days, or mono-diets using dark chocolate and coffee.
No Alzheimer's!
It turns out that chocolate promotes brain function. Another useful chemical substance found in cocoa is epicatechin. It is also found in green tea. This substance helps protect the brain from harmful proteins that, when developing, cause Alzheimer's disease.
And some areas of the brain are favorably affected by the taste and smell of chocolate. Chocolate is useful both in childhood - it helps overcome autism - and in older age. Doctors are beginning to prescribe dessert for the treatment of concussions.
Why is chocolate harmful?
It is not recommended to consume dark chocolate if:
- the person suffers from diabetes;
- metabolism is impaired;
- there is gastritis, which may worsen;
- Migraine attacks constantly occur due to the tannin content in chocolate, which has a vasoconstrictor effect.
It is not recommended to give dark chocolate to children, since the bar contains large amounts of caffeine, and the product tastes bitter.
The product is considered high-calorie, its excessive consumption leads to a set of extra pounds, as well as insomnia, dizziness, and allergies.
"Korkunov"
The confectionery company began selling its delicious products in 1999 and quickly gained a positive reputation in the food industry market.
Dark chocolate from this company contains 70% cocoa. All the necessary ingredients arrive at the factory in the form of pressed briquettes (weighing 25 kilograms). They are produced in European countries, and the cocoa mass and butter itself are supplied from West Africa.
The confectionery company began selling its chocolate products in 1999 and quickly gained a positive reputation in the food industry market.
In a tasting examination carried out by specialists, a clearly expressed, subtle chocolate harmonious taste of “Korkunov Gorky” was noted. This sample is enriched in the following amounts of organic matter:
- proteins - 9.1 grams;
- fats - 44.3 grams;
- carbohydrates - 30.6 grams.
The process of preparing the delicacy is mechanized in detail, so any shortcomings between production and the regulated recipe are eliminated.
How to determine the quality of chocolate?
There is no need to talk about the benefits of chocolate - everyone knows this. But how can you determine that the purchased tile is of high quality? Quality is easy to determine. Here are its main criteria:
- Integrity of packaging. The tile should not be dented or soft.
- Expiration date of chocolate. After the expiration date indicated on the package, it is not recommended to use this product.
- The product is of low quality and does not comply with GOST if it bends easily when bent.
- The tile itself should not have a white coating or stains. A high-quality product quickly melts in your mouth.
- The content of cocoa butter should not exceed 33%, milk powder - 55%. The vegetable oil content should not exceed 5%. Chocolate should not crumble.
- High-quality chocolate makes a characteristic click when broken.
- The product has a uniform dark color, a shiny front side, clearly defined edges, a pattern, a uniform structure, and solidity at the fracture.
- High-quality chocolate should not crumble, deform, have a large number of bubbles, uneven consistency and color.
Among the well-known brands, real high-quality chocolate can be considered Spartak, Rossiya, Korkunov, Russian. Foreign chocolate brand LINDT is considered a worthy competitor.
"Victory of taste"
This brand of dark chocolate contains 72% cocoa mass. The company is located near the Moscow region in the city of Yegoryevsk. Victory of Taste produces more than 50,000 tons of chocolate annually. Their products are famous for their rich and refined chocolate taste, deep aroma, and stylish design.
A study of the fatty acid composition showed that the “Victory of the Gorky taste” sample is made from natural food ingredients. No lauric-type substitutes squeezed from grated cocoa (palm kernel and coconut oil) were identified by examinations.
Despite the high quality of chocolate, its cost is relatively low
Fragrant cocoa beans are purchased in Peru and Cote d'Ivoire. They are lightly fried during the production process to preserve flavor and maintain premium freshness.
Buyers also pay attention to the cost of the chocolate being described. As a rule, it does not exceed 100 rubles and is average compared to other similar products on the market.
How to treat yourself to chocolate and not ruin your figure?
Real dark chocolate is a high-calorie product and leads to weight gain. Why not use it for beauty treatments? A relaxing chocolate massage will lift your spirits and relieve depression.
It is good to use cosmetics based on cocoa powder to remove toxins and excess fluid from the skin. The use of cocoa butter will prevent the appearance of dandruff, treat the scalp, and make hair shiny and strong.
Dark chocolate is used as a wrap for problems with cellulite. Chocolate foot baths will relieve calluses and corns. It is enough to melt a couple of bars in hot milk and keep your feet in the mixture for 10-15 minutes. The content of 50% cocoa butter in the bar is considered the best option for its use in cosmetology.
"Golden Mark"
A natural delicacy from the Soviet factory “Russia”. The dark chocolate of this product line contains 70% cocoa. The confectionery product has a tart chocolate flavor and persistent aroma, which proves the use of high-quality raw materials in production.
The tile is divided into fairly large slices and wrapped in gold foil with fine embossing. The chocolate immediately begins to melt harmoniously in your mouth. It has a spicy and moderately bitter taste.
Natural delicacy from the Soviet factory "Russia"
According to the results of checks, there are no substitutes in the fatty acid composition of chocolate that are not listed on the label. No unsaturated fats were also found.
Factory Russia respects traditions and creates natural products according to original recipes.
Which chocolate is the healthiest?
Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70% and the addition of high quality cocoa beans is considered the healthiest. If this composition does not correspond to reality, then this will affect its taste: the product will be sour.
The pure product does not contain large quantities of sugar and is considered the best option for consumption if you tend to be overweight.
Cocoa butter makes it high-calorie. The tile contains more than 500 kcal in total, so in any case you shouldn’t eat it without measure. It is better to use it in light desserts than in its pure form.
It is the product with bitterness in its pure form that is considered the most healthy, tasty, and aromatic. Dark chocolate does not contain dairy products and is made only from cocoa butter and a small percentage of sugar or powder. The more cocoa beans a product contains, the healthier it is.
The most bitter and best product is Belgian. It is in this country that it is produced according to certain standards, under which it is prohibited to add any kind of vegetable oils. The content of cocoa beans in the bar ranges from 30 to 90%, but in cooking a concentrated product with a bean content of less than 70% is more often used. In cooking, dark chocolate is a real favorite; all kinds of mousses, sauces, and liqueurs cannot do without it.
Nevertheless, eating chocolate in moderation will only be beneficial, especially since the list of its beneficial qualities is huge and quite convincing.
"Red October"
Contains 80% of cocoa products in its mass. Dark chocolate from this manufacturer is one of the oldest varieties produced at the factory.
The confectionery product does not contain solid vegetable oil or coconut oil in its ingredients. The fatty acid composition of the described sample fully corresponds to cocoa butter.
Dark chocolate from this manufacturer is one of the oldest varieties produced at the factory
This delicacy is quite hard to the touch and does not melt quickly in the mouth when eaten. After the first taste, you may feel a noticeable bitterness of chocolate, but then the taste smooths out and acquires a soft tint.
The benefits and harms of dark chocolate
Many people are prejudiced against dark chocolate, classifying it as harmful sweets. But this product has its advantages:
- The benefits of chocolate with a high cocoa butter content have long been proven by science. It is believed that the product strengthens blood vessels, improves heart function, and alleviates the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in women.
- Excessive bitterness is the difference between bitter chocolate and not dark chocolate. It has a pleasant and mild taste that goes well with a variety of ingredients and is often used in cooking.
- This product can be used to treat your throat at home if you don’t have honey or cough drops on hand. The cocoa butter content of at least 50% has a beneficial effect on the healing properties of this delicacy. Just dissolve one lobe in your mouth and the pain will decrease. The treat has also been noted to have an analgesic effect on headaches.
- Dark chocolate is often present in the diet of fans of a healthy lifestyle. Doctors have proven that moderate consumption of the product does not cause diabetes and even helps reduce the risk of its development. Just 1-2 slices of chocolate do not cause a sharp jump in insulin and do not increase appetite.
- If you're watching your figure, then dark chocolate-based desserts are a great option. You can vary the ingredients to suit your taste, reducing the amount of sugar. Chocolate desserts in moderation will lift your spirits and give you energy throughout the day. They can be easily prepared at home.
The disadvantage of this product is its high sugar content. Insulin surges are difficult for many to control. Therefore, nutritionists recommend consuming such chocolate in the first half of the day.
Rating of brands by quality
Every year, Russian and foreign experts check chocolate products from different manufacturers and compile a rating of the best brands.
Russian
The best brands of Russian chocolate:
- Babaevsky. The concern has been producing confectionery products from high-quality cocoa since 1804.
- Korkunov. The company was founded in 1997 and produces high-quality chocolate and candies without the use of cocoa butter substitutes.
- Victory of taste. The company was created relatively recently - in 1999, but its products have already received recognition in Russia and abroad for their excellent taste and high quality.
- Commitment to quality. The company produces original high-quality chocolate and candies using the most modern technologies from elite cocoa varieties.
- Damgo. The company produces organic chocolate called “Chocolate original”. The company appeared just a few years ago and has already entered the European and US markets.
- Russian. This company has a very diverse range of chocolate for every taste. The company has been operating since 1969.
Some of the above brands of Russian chocolate are absolutely unknown to most sweet tooths, but this does not mean the low quality of the product.
Little-known brands produce high-quality desserts in relatively small batches and often do not sell their products through federal retail chains.
French
The most romantic people create delicate chocolate from natural and high-quality ingredients.
The best French brands:
- Michel Richart;
- Valrhona;
- Bovetti;
- Bonnat chocolatier.
Swiss
Residents of this country eat up to 20 kg of sweets a year and definitely know a lot about quality chocolate.
The best Swiss brands:
Toblerone is a well-known Swiss confectionery brand. The company produces one of the world's most popular types of chocolate, shaped like teeth with the Matterhorn mountain depicted on the packaging.
Belgian
The best Belgian brands:
It is estimated that almost every city in this country has a confectionery factory producing chocolate and candies.
List of the best chocolates in the world by type
Lactic
Lindt Excellence Extra Creamy milk chocolate is produced from high-quality ingredients in Europe and is supplied to many countries, including Russia. The dessert has a very delicate milky-creamy taste and ideal proportions of cocoa and milk in the composition. The price of the tile is 150 rubles.
White
Attention! To produce white chocolate at the Castronovo factory, only three ingredients are used: cocoa butter, milk and sugar.
Castronovo White Chocolate is the world's best white chocolate, made in the USA. The tile costs about 800 rubles.
Bitter
Valrhona chocolate 72% is the most delicious dark chocolate. To give the dessert an exquisite, unique taste, the manufacturer uses several types of cocoa in a special ratio, which makes the dark chocolate of this company unique. Price – about 900 rubles.
Dessert
The best representative of this type can be considered dark dessert chocolate “Lux” from the Belarusian factory Spartak. The company produces products from the best natural ingredients without the use of synthetic additives. Chocolate from this factory is successfully exported to America and Europe. The price of the tile does not exceed 150 rubles.
Dark
Italian dark chocolate “Sfoglia Nera” 51% is the best in its category. It has a delicate texture and a very mild cocoa taste. The dessert will be produced using a secret family technology from natural ingredients. The price of the tile is 400 rubles.
The best chocolate is the one that is produced according to all rules and standards from high-quality raw materials. It is not at all necessary to spend a lot of money on buying foreign brands of dessert. High-quality chocolate can be purchased in a regular store, the main thing is to carefully study the label.
Dark chocolate is a true dessert classic and a balanced golden mean between other varieties of delicacy - milky and bitter. Many people consume this confectionery product just like that, while others successfully use it to prepare homemade desserts.
For the review article, 7 representatives from this category from various brands that are available in Russian stores today were selected. To choose the best sample, we analyzed the composition, taste and pricing policy of dark chocolate bar samples.
