European Chocolate

AlexB23 · Dec 8, 2023

Hello folks. Have you guys/gals tried European chocolate? It has a good taste and a higher quality to chocolate from other places in the world, and typically do not contain artificial colors or flavors. My favorite brands of European chocolate include Schogetten (found at Aldi for under $2.00 in my area for a 3.5 oz or 100 g bar as of December 2023) and Milka.

So, overall, chocolate is not healthy, but European chocolate seems to be made with more natural ingredients. It is good to check if the brand has the Fairtrade label also, even if the stamp of approval does not hold that much weight, as Fairtrade chocolate certifications only help farmer cooperatives, and not the individual farmers themselves, so the co-op leaders may make the most money, while a lowly farmer may not, depending on the co-op. But overall, Fairtrade chocolate somewhat works, as it has lower environmental impact compared to non-fair trade chocolate.

Fairtrade issues: Fair Trade Chocolate: Debunking The Myth - The Chocolate Journalist
Fairtrade somewhat works: Is Fair Trade Chocolate Really Fair? (an Honest Look at the Facts)

Friedrich Rubinstein · Dec 8, 2023

I do like Milka, but my favourite European brand is Lindt (their Lindor products in particular). Have you tried them?

Occams Barber · Dec 9, 2023

AlexB23 said:
Hello folks. Have you guys/gals tried European chocolate? It has a good taste and a higher quality to chocolate from other places in the world, and typically do not contain artificial colors or flavors. My favorite brands of European chocolate include Schogetten (found at Aldi for under $2.00 in my area for a 3.5 oz or 100 g bar as of December 2023) and Milka.

So, overall, chocolate is not healthy, but European chocolate seems to be made with more natural ingredients. It is good to check if the brand has the Fairtrade label also, even if the stamp of approval does not hold that much weight, as Fairtrade chocolate certifications only help farmer cooperatives, and not the individual farmers themselves, so the co-op leaders may make the most money, while a lowly farmer may not, depending on the co-op. But overall, Fairtrade chocolate somewhat works, as it has lower environmental impact compared to non-fair trade chocolate.

Fairtrade issues: Fair Trade Chocolate: Debunking The Myth - The Chocolate Journalist
Fairtrade somewhat works: Is Fair Trade Chocolate Really Fair? (an Honest Look at the Facts)

It's not just Europe or fair trading.

Outside of the US, US chocolate has a terrible reputation - particularly the 'Herschy (sp ?) Bar. I've seen videos of US tourists shocked at the taste of Australian chocolate compared to the US version. I've also seen Australian visitors to the US gag on US chocolate.

US manufacturers have a rep for adding a variety of extras as a substitute for real cocoa butter along with a heavy dose of sweeteners.

Here's a range of opinions:

Google Search

OB

trophy33 · Dec 9, 2023

Just be aware that "European" is not a monolith. Its quite common that the same product of the same brand has different content and taste in various European countries.

So you must also check the specific "made in" to keep it consistent.

timewerx · Dec 9, 2023

I prefer using extremely bitter baking cocoa powder to make hot chocolate.

I sometimes make it into milk chocolate with milk powder, far healthier than commercial chocolate bars. Not as rich and not as sweet in taste but actually healthy.

AlexB23 · Dec 9, 2023

Occams Barber said:
It's not just Europe or fair trading.

Outside of the US, US chocolate has a terrible reputation - particularly the 'Hershy Bar. I've seen videos of US tourists shocked at the taste of Australian chocolate compared to the US version. I've also seen Australian visitors to the US gag on US chocolate.

US manufacturers have a rep for adding a variety of extras as a substitute for real cocoa butter along with a heavy dose of sweeteners.

Here's a range of opinions:

Google Search

OB

Yeah, I do not like US chocolate, as it tastes excessively sweet, and I am in the US.

FireDragon76 · Dec 11, 2023

I used to eat cocoa nibs as a snack.

I've discovered chocolate gives me acne flareups, so now I avoid it. It's one of the few foods that seems to cause that for me.

AlexB23 · Dec 12, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
I used to eat cocoa nibs as a snack.

I've discovered chocolate gives me acne flareups, so now I avoid it. It's one of the few foods that seems to cause that for me.

Yeah, some people are allergic to chocolate.

jacks · Dec 12, 2023

Just thought this was interesting. Might have more to do with availability and marketing than taste.

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FireDragon76 · Dec 13, 2023

AlexB23 said:
Yeah, some people are allergic to chocolate.

It's not really an allergy so much as a sensitivity. There's some evidence chocolate increases the propensity to have acne flareups, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. Actual cocoa contains quite a bit of saturated fat, which generally isn't healthy and is associated with worsening acne, though it also contains antioxidants.

trophy33 · Dec 13, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
a bit of saturated fat, which generally isn't healthy

Do you have a proof for this statement? Saturated fat is natural for our bodies, but not the other materials found in cocoa.

FireDragon76 · Dec 13, 2023

myst33 said:
Do you have a proof for this statement? Saturated fat is natural for our bodies, but not the other materials found in cocoa.

Saturated fat is not an essential fatty acid. The only essential fatty acids are all polyunsaturated fats.

trophy33 · Dec 13, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
Saturated fat is not an essential fatty acid. The only essential fatty acids are all polyunsaturated fats.

My post was: "Do you have a proof for this statement?" [that saturated fat is not healthy].

And then I said that saturated fat is natural for our body.

Essential means that our body needs it, but cannot produce it. However, our body is able to produce saturated fat, therefore its not considered essential, similarly to glucose.

AlexB23 · Dec 13, 2023

FireDragon76 said:
It's not really an allergy so much as a sensitivity. There's some evidence chocolate increases the propensity to have acne flareups, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. Actual cocoa contains quite a bit of saturated fat, which generally isn't healthy and is associated with worsening acne, though it also contains antioxidants.

Yep. It is always best to refer to the ingredient list, and refer to how much you have, to protect yourself from acne flareups.

Red Gold · Jan 28, 2024

Friedrich Rubinstein said:
I do like Milka, but my favourite European brand is Lindt (their Lindor products in particular). Have you tried them?

yes, lindt!

AlexB23 · Jan 28, 2024

Had some Milka a few days ago, and the manufacturer added vanillin (artificial vanilla flavor) to the chocolate. Darn. This version of Milka might be an export variety or a new version. If you want to avoid artificial, Schogetten is the way to go.

Lost4words · Jan 28, 2024

AlexB23 said:
Hello folks. Have you guys/gals tried European chocolate? It has a good taste and a higher quality to chocolate from other places in the world, and typically do not contain artificial colors or flavors. My favorite brands of European chocolate include Schogetten (found at Aldi for under $2.00 in my area for a 3.5 oz or 100 g bar as of December 2023) and Milka.

So, overall, chocolate is not healthy, but European chocolate seems to be made with more natural ingredients. It is good to check if the brand has the Fairtrade label also, even if the stamp of approval does not hold that much weight, as Fairtrade chocolate certifications only help farmer cooperatives, and not the individual farmers themselves, so the co-op leaders may make the most money, while a lowly farmer may not, depending on the co-op. But overall, Fairtrade chocolate somewhat works, as it has lower environmental impact compared to non-fair trade chocolate.

Fairtrade issues: Fair Trade Chocolate: Debunking The Myth - The Chocolate Journalist
Fairtrade somewhat works: Is Fair Trade Chocolate Really Fair? (an Honest Look at the Facts)

I have it on my marrow bone! Its yummy!

AlexB23 · Jan 28, 2024

Lost4words said:
I have it on my marrow bone! Its yummy!

Haha... Thought dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate due to the theobromine in chocolates.

Lost4words · Jan 28, 2024

AlexB23 said:
Haha... Thought dogs are not supposed to eat chocolate due to the theobromine in chocolates.

Special chocolate made in Antarctica..

AlexB23 · Jan 28, 2024

Lost4words said:
Special chocolate made in Antarctica..

You are a funny guy/gal bro. The chocolate down there must be bitter then, cos Antarctica is "bitter" cold.

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