10 Best Vegan Dark Chocolate: A Delicious and Ethical Indulgence

Dark chocolate has long been celebrated for its rich, intense flavour and numerous health benefits. For those following a vegan lifestyle, finding the perfect vegan dark chocolate can be challenging. 

Luckily, the demand for vegan options has led to an array of delectable vegan dark chocolates on the market today. In this article, we’ll explore the world of vegan dark chocolate, highlighting some of the best brands and explaining what makes them stand out.

Why Choose Vegan Dark Chocolate?

Vegan dark chocolate is an excellent choice for those who follow a vegan diet or are simply looking to reduce their consumption of animal products. Traditional dark chocolate often contains milk solids, which is unsuitable for vegans. 

You can indulge your sweet tooth by choosing vegan dark chocolate while maintaining your ethical and dietary principles.

Criteria for the Best Vegan Dark Chocolate

When evaluating vegan dark chocolate options, several factors come into play. Here are some criteria to consider when searching for the best vegan dark chocolate:

Cocoa Content

Dark chocolate is defined by its cocoa content, with higher percentages often indicating a richer, more intense flavour. Look for options with at least 70% cocoa content for that classic dark chocolate taste.

Ingredients

Read the ingredient list carefully. The best vegan dark chocolate should contain minimal, high-quality ingredients like cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and a sweetener like organic cane sugar or coconut sugar. Avoid chocolates with additives and artificial flavours.

Ethical Sourcing

Ethical and sustainable sourcing of cocoa beans is vital. Top-notch vegan chocolate brands are committed to fair trade practices and environmental sustainability.

Flavour Profile

Different brands have varying flavour profiles, with some offering fruity and floral notes while others emphasize earthy, nutty tones. Find a flavour that suits your palate.

Texture

Texture is another important consideration. Some chocolates are smooth and melt in your mouth, while others have a more substantial, snappy texture. It’s a matter of personal preference.

10 Best Vegan Dark Chocolate

Here are 10 best vegan dark chocolate options:

1. Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bars:

Endangered Species Chocolate is a well-known brand for its delicious dark chocolate bars. What sets them apart is their commitment to conservation and ethical sourcing. A portion of the proceeds from their chocolate sales goes towards wildlife preservation and protection. Each bar also features an educational wrapper with information about endangered species.

They offer a variety of flavors, including 88% Extreme Dark Chocolate, 72% Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt & Almonds, and 72% Dark Chocolate with Forest Mint.

2. Alter Eco Super Blackout Organic Chocolate:

Alter Eco specializes in producing premium, organic, and fair-trade chocolates. Their Super Blackout Organic Chocolate is renowned for its intense cacao flavour. It typically contains a high cacao content, often around 90% or more, which provides a robust and deep chocolate experience.

Alter Eco Super Blackout organic chocolate is a great choice for those who appreciate the pure essence of dark chocolate without added flavours or fillers.

3. Theo Chocolate Pure Dark Chocolate Bars:

Theo Chocolate is a bean-to-bar chocolate company emphasising organic and fair trade practices. They offer a variety of dark chocolate bars with varying cacao percentages. Their chocolate bars are known for their smooth texture and distinct, well-balanced flavours.

Some of their popular flavours include 70% Dark Chocolate, 85% Dark Chocolate, and 95% Dark Chocolate. Theo Chocolate is often praised for its ethical sourcing and commitment to sustainable practices.

4. Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bars:

Chocolove is a brand that crafts a range of dark chocolate bars, and they are known for their Strong Dark Chocolate bar. This particular bar is vegan-friendly and has a rich, intense taste. Chocolove takes pride in using high-quality ingredients and traditional European chocolate-making techniques.

In addition to their Strong Dark Chocolate, Chocolove offers a variety of other dark chocolate bars with different cacao percentages and added ingredients like almonds, cherries, and crystallized ginger.

5. Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Bars:

Hu Kitchen is known for its “Get Back to Human” philosophy, which emphasises simple and clean ingredients. Hu Kitchen dark chocolate bars are made with high-quality organic cacao and are often free of refined sugars and other additives. Many of their chocolate bars are vegan, making them a great choice for those looking for a more natural and health-conscious chocolate option.

Hu Kitchen offers a variety of dark chocolate flavours, including options like Hazelnut Butter Dark Chocolate and Almond Butter Puffed Quinoa Dark Chocolate.

6. Equal Exchange Organic Dark Chocolate:

Equal Exchange is a worker-owned co-op committed to fair trade and organic principles. Their organic dark chocolate bars are vegan and sourced from small-scale farmers in cooperatives worldwide. These bars are known for their rich, complex flavours and dedication to social and environmental responsibility.

Equal Exchange offers dark chocolate bars with varying cacao percentages, including flavours like Very Dark Chocolate and Panama Extra Dark Chocolate.

7. Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate:

Green & Black’s is a brand that prides itself on using organic and ethically sourced ingredients. Their dark chocolate bars typically include a high percentage of cacao and are often vegan. This results in a bold and intense chocolate flavour that many dark chocolate enthusiasts appreciate.

Varieties in the Green & Black’s dark chocolate range may include options like Dark 70% Chocolate, Dark 85% Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt.

8. Lulu’s Chocolate Raw Love Organic Chocolate Bar:

Lulu’s Chocolate stands out for its raw, organic, and vegan chocolate bars. These bars are made with unroasted cacao to preserve more of the cacao’s natural nutrients and flavour. Lulu’s Chocolate bars are known for their smooth and silky texture.

They offer a range of unique flavours, including Maca Love Chocolate and Aztec Crunch Chocolate, which incorporate superfoods and intriguing ingredients to create a truly special chocolate experience.

9. Lake Champlain Chocolates Dark Chocolate Bars:

Lake Champlain Chocolates is a Vermont-based chocolatier known for its high-quality chocolate bars. Many of their dark chocolate bars are vegan-friendly, emphasising creating rich and smooth chocolate experiences. They prioritise ethical and sustainable sourcing.

Their dark chocolate range may include Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, and Dark Chocolate Almonds. These bars are known for their excellent taste and craftsmanship.

10. Taza Chocolate Stone Ground Organic Chocolate:

Taza Chocolate stands out for its unique stone-ground chocolate-making process. Their chocolate is known for its slightly gritty texture, which enhances the overall sensory experience. Taza is committed to organic and fair trade practices and offers a variety of vegan dark chocolate options.

You can find dark chocolate bars with varying cacao percentages and flavours like Cacao Puro, 85% Super Dark, and Cinnamon Chocolate. The stone-ground texture and bold flavours make Taza’s chocolate a distinctive choice for dark chocolate enthusiasts.

Bottom Line

Thanks to the growing demand for vegan products, finding the best vegan dark chocolate has always been challenging. With the abovementioned criteria and the highlighted brands, you can confidently explore the world of vegan dark chocolate and discover your favourite ethical and delicious indulgence.

Whether you prefer a classic, intense cocoa flavour or a more unique, fruity twist, vegan dark chocolate satisfies your cravings while aligning with your values. So, treat yourself to the rich, delectable world of vegan dark chocolate.

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