Have you ever picked up a chocolate bar labelled 70% cocoa and wondered what the number actually means? Cocoa percentage is one of the most useful things to understand when choosing chocolate, but it does not tell the whole story about how a bar will taste.
What Is Cocoa Percentage?
Cocoa percentage refers to the proportion of a chocolate bar that comes from cocoa ingredients, including cocoa solids and cocoa butter. The remaining ingredients may include sugar, milk powder and flavourings, depending on the type of chocolate.
Generally, a higher cocoa percentage means there is less room for other ingredients, including sugar. However, the final taste also depends on the cocoa beans, how they are processed and the recipe used by the chocolate maker.
Does Higher Cocoa Percentage Mean Better Chocolate?
Not necessarily. A 90% cocoa bar may appeal to someone who enjoys intense, less-sweet chocolate, while another person may prefer the creaminess of milk chocolate or the balance of a 60% dark chocolate bar.
The percentage is a guide, not a quality score. Two bars with the same cocoa percentage can taste very different because of their ingredients and production methods.
Which Cocoa Percentage Should You Choose?
If you enjoy sweeter flavours, milk chocolate or a lower-percentage dark chocolate may be a good starting point. If you prefer stronger cocoa flavours, try comparing 60%, 70% and 85% dark chocolate to discover what suits your taste.
Reading the ingredient list alongside the cocoa percentage can also help you understand what you are buying.
At Macao Cacao, we explore the details behind chocolate, from ingredients and flavours to the ideas shaping the industry. Understanding cocoa percentage is one small step towards appreciating every bar a little more.
