Is expensive chocolate worth the extra money?

Apologies if someone’s already mentioned this, but I don’t have the energy to trawl through all the previous posts.

I’ve never been a big chocolate eater, but I did recently start buying the high cocoa content (70–100%) dark chocolate, which is claimed to have major health benefits. It’s also delicious, once you get the taste for it. However, there are various studies that show the downside of it, namely the fact that it contains high levels of decidedly unhealthy heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead. There’s plenty of information about it online (e.g. www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/).

Me again…

I just clicked my own link and it came up as page not found. Sorry. But if you want the lowdown on this, it’s easy to just google it.

Not a big chocolate fan but I am fussy. Hate thick bars of chocolate, prefer dark thin chocolate now like Lindt Green and Black,Highland Choclatier but a bar can last me weeks/months! HC is pure luxury £9 a bar!😱. My daughter bought me it one year as part of my Christmas....dark chocolate and raspberry!😋😋😋😋 only bar I have eaten in 2 days but I also like cheap cheap milk chocolate.😆 as I say not a massive choccie fan

I love Hotel Chocolat, but it has become even more expensive, so I no longer give it as presents. I used to give a selection to my daughters and their partners for Easter and Christmas. I now make a lot of edible gifts such as pecan/roasted almond brittle, Brigadeiros (chocolate and coconut) and chocolate with various fillings (dried cherries, hazelnuts, pistachios, etc.) made in silicone moulds. I use Sainsbury's dark and milk chocolate to make them. The budget one. It's been very good, but I have noticed lately that the milk one is not as nice as it used to be. If anyone wants the recipe for the Brigadeiros let me know, or you could look it up. I also make crystallised citrus peel dipped in dark chocolate.

M&S do some good chocolate. They do a dark milk bar, which is a sort of cross between milk and dark chocolate, which I really do like.
We have a local chocolate maker too whose stuff is very good - and I like the Chocolate Society who often have ‘imperfect’ products at a good price.
But I think the best chocolate that I have ever eaten was bought earlier this year from an Italian chocolatier in Naples called Gay-Odin. I wish I had stuffed my suitcase full!

I prefer chocolate with no sugar etc. I really like Montezuma’s absolute black - yes it’s more expensive and stronger flavoured but I know it’s good for me. They make one with almonds in it which is my favourite. And I only eat 2 squares a day

Redactrice

Apologies if someone’s already mentioned this, but I don’t have the energy to trawl through all the previous posts.

I’ve never been a big chocolate eater, but I did recently start buying the high cocoa content (70–100%) dark chocolate, which is claimed to have major health benefits. It’s also delicious, once you get the taste for it. However, there are various studies that show the downside of it, namely the fact that it contains high levels of decidedly unhealthy heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead. There’s plenty of information about it online (e.g. www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/).

This is a very sad fact. This link to an article about it might work better.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/31/dark-chocolate-lead-cadmium?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

I have read that because of the lead and cadmium it is better to stick to 3-4 squares of dark chocolate a day, but I do find this difficult.

I quite like Lindt but I think the quality isn't as good as it used to be - mind you, I think that about a lot of food products these days. I think they are using cheaper ingredients.

Probably the best chocolate is from small, independent shops. Their chocolate will be more expensive but I'd rather have a little of something good than a lot of something mediocre.

Yes, I can tell the differences, but no I care not.

One of my favourites is actually Sainsbury's essentials - the really cheap brand.

I reckon you can’t go past Aldi chocolate plus it is the cheapest.

Dare I say it, but actually I do not like chocolate very much, I will eat it if served it or given it, but I cannot remember when I actually bought any for my own consumption.

Another vote here for Aldi chocolate. (Moser Roth brand.) The £2.29 packets contain five small & individually wrapped bars - brilliant! (Perfect for keeping piggy me from eating it all!)
I love the "sea-salt" dark choc, but they are all good.

Don’t like chocolate. I’ll get my coat …….. 😁

I used to hate chocolate and still don’t like the English chocolate.
However, a few years ago my son brought back some Whitaker chocolate with kiwi fruit that was made in NZ which certainly changed my mind.
The kiwi flavour is now not available in NZ but you can now buy Whitaker chocolate in various flavours in the Uk

I like chocolate but never buy Cadbury, it is not pleasant.
My family buy me Lindt or Leonidas chocolates and DD brings me gifts from Chocolatiers in Belgium.

I like good milk chocolate the best, with hard centres, I haven't had a box of chocolates for years as I don't like soft centres or any cream filled ones, Spartan were my favourite does anyone remember those?

There is a chocolate manufacturer in Skipton (my neck of the woods) that's called Whitakers.

Earlier on in this thread I wrote singing the praises of Martins chocolates. The were truly lovely. BUT ordered another box on net. Even though they took payment they were s long time coming. The first box was a British manufacturer this second box was a different kettle of fish. Came from somewhere on the continent. The box was identical but on opening the contents looked and tasted very different. Very ordinary and very disappointing. Definitely not worth the money

Samsara1

Charbonnel and Walker Champagne Truffles are fabulous. I buy them for my daughter at Christmas. Dh buys me a small box too.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the Dubai chocolate that seems to be everywhere. I haven't tried it its VERY expensive.

I have just eaten a bar of Dubai chocolate nice if you like pistachios.
Not sure of the cost though, my nephew and his wife bought it for me after being trapped in Dubai airport for 48 hours trying to get home after visiting family in The Philippines!!

I think it's a matter of taste. I find Lindt and Lindor awful. If I receive it for a present it goes straight to the next raffle as a prize. Dairy Milk is lovely and Aldi chocolate is wonderful. My Mum and brother love white chocolate and said Aldi is the best by a country mile.

Cheap chocolate is good for cooking. Good quality chocolate is better for a treat. We enjoy one chocolate each of an evening when we have a box as they don't leave you wanting more like the more UPF chocolate does.