While some might believe that chocolate is pretty much all the same, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only are there various chocolate types based on quality, but they are also divided into three main groups: dark, milk and white chocolate. Here’s what you need to know about these three groups.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate types are so named because they are darker in colour compared to any other type of chocolate. They have the highest amount of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. You will find that dark chocolate has at least 70% cocoa along with other ingredients including cocoa bean powder and some sugar. The higher cocoa content means that dark varieties can seem bitter compared to milk or white chocolate. It’s also worth noting that this type of chocolate will melt faster than any others so you need to store it in a cool, dry place.

Milk chocolate

This is most likely the most popular of all chocolate types. Especially if you choose a high quality brand. Milk chocolate contains a smaller amount of cocoa solids and cocoa butter as well as milk powder and sugar. This makes it creamy and sweet. Inferior quality products may leave a greasy sensation in your mouth which is why it is so important to always choose quality over quantity.

White chocolate

There is a debate that white chocolate should not qualify as one of the three chocolate types because it’s not technically chocolate. It does not contain any cocoa solids but rather just a small amount of cocoa butter along with milk and sugar. White chocolate will not contain more than 35% cocoa which is less than all other types of chocolate. Of course, it is extra creamy and very sweet indeed.

Which one to choose

If you are shopping for yourself, it is usually easy to choose between these three chocolate types. It’s shopping for others that can be tricky. If you want a sweet treat that can also offer health benefits, opt for dark chocolate. If the intended recipient is known to have renal issues like the formation of kidney stones, then white chocolate would be the safest bet. For those who are not watching their weight and they don’t have any health issues, milk chocolate is the perfect treat.

The next time you are shopping for a chocolate gift for a friend or loved one, keep the information above in mind. Understanding each of these chocolate types and how one differs from the next will help you choose the perfect sweet gift. If you are not sure about the preferences of the recipient, remember, there are also some lovely chocolate hampers that include various chocolates and chocolate-flavoured goodies.