If you’re like most people, you think about chocolate in one of two ways: either as a delicious treat that should be eaten sparingly, or as a superfood packed with antioxidants. It is true that cocoa can be good for you — but there is a lot more to it than that! Both types of chocolate have different levels of sugar and fat, which are important things to take into account when choosing your favourite version. Read on to find out more about the two main types of chocolate — white and dark — and how they compare.
What is White Chocolate?
White chocolate is a confection made primarily from cocoa butter, powdered milk, and sugar. It’s sometimes also mixed with a little bit of vanilla extract and salt. White chocolate is not actually chocolate at all — it’s only about 10% cocoa butter (the fat that gives chocolate its flavour and texture). In most cases, the rest of the 90% is made up of sugar and other fats like palm oil. It’s often confused for “milk chocolate”, but white chocolate doesn’t actually contain any cocoa solids (cocoa that’s been ground down into a powder and combined with other ingredients).
What is Dark Chocolate?
Dark chocolate is a confection made from cocoa solids, sugar, and sometimes a bit of extra flavouring. Dark chocolate is made with cocoa solids that have been roasted, ground, and fermented. Those solids are then mixed with cocoa butter and sugar to make the final product. Again, it’s important to note that cocoa solids are the only ingredients that give dark chocolate its flavour and colour. The huge majority of the remaining ingredients are sugar.
What is Milk Chocolate?
Milk chocolate is a combination of cocoa and milk, which results in a sweeter, creamier chocolate. The most common additives are emulsifiers, such as lecithin, vanillin, and other artificial and natural food dyes. This type of chocolate has a higher sugar content than dark chocolate, and it is often served as a dessert or eaten by kids. It is also widely used in baking. In order to be classified as “milk chocolate”, a product must have a minimum of 10% cocoa solids, 3.5% milk fat, 12% sugar, and 200 calories per piece. It’s worth noting that commercial milk chocolate often has a significantly higher sugar content than this minimum.
The Differences: Taste, Nutrition and Cost
White chocolate is actually quite sweet and mild in flavour, as it is made primarily from sugar. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is generally more bitter and “roasted” tasting, as it has a higher level of cocoa solids. White chocolate actually has fewer calories per 100g than dark chocolate (a difference of roughly 30 calories). However, dark chocolate is richer in healthy fat, protein, and magnesium. In terms of cost, dark chocolate is usually more expensive than white chocolate, due to its higher cocoa butter content and manufacturing process. The only real difference between the two in terms of nutrition is that dark chocolate has a little bit more fat.
The Differences: Manufacturing Processes
White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, milk, sugar, and vanilla (or another flavouring). It’s the cocoa butter that really separates dark chocolate from white. Dark chocolate is made from cocoa solids that have been roasted, ground, and fermented. Then, those solids are mixed with cocoa butter and sugar to make the final product. The roasting and fermentation process in dark chocolate is what gives it a unique flavour and makes it more nutritious than white chocolate. It also makes it melt at a higher temperature, which is why dark chocolate is so often used in baking.
Which One is Healthier?
The short answer to this question is that dark chocolate is healthier than white chocolate. The long answer is that dark chocolate is only slightly healthier than white chocolate, particularly when you take the manufacturing process into account. The main difference is that dark chocolate has a higher cocoa content, while white chocolate has a higher sugar content. All in all, though, it’s tough to choose between the two. White chocolate has fewer calories, but darker chocolate has more magnesium, protein, and healthy fat. It all depends on what you’re looking for!
Is White Chocolate Actually Real chocolate?
Technically, yes. But it’s such a small amount of cocoa solids that it doesn’t really count. It’s basically just sugar, milk fats, and fat from cocoa butter (which is where the flavour comes from). As mentioned earlier, white chocolate has fewer calories per 100g than dark chocolate, but more sugar per serving. It’s generally a better choice for people who are watching their sugar intake. White chocolate does have one redeeming quality, though — it’s been found to have a calming effect on the nervous system. This makes it a good choice for people who are stressed or anxious.
Summing up
Both white chocolate and dark chocolate are delicious treats, but they are very different in terms of their flavour, texture, and health benefits. White chocolate is made primarily from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk, while dark chocolate is made primarily from cocoa solids that have been roasted, ground, and fermented. Dark chocolate has more cocoa solids and less sugar than white chocolate, which makes it taste more bitter and rich. In terms of health benefits, dark chocolate has more than white chocolate though only by a small margin when the manufacturing process is taken into account. At the end of the day, both types of chocolate are delicious. Just remember to eat in moderation!