Tested
BEST BAR NONE
I tested all the supermarket dark chocolates – winner tastes nice & bitter but is a bit on the pricey side
Happily, you don’t have to splash the cash to get a decent fix
THERE’S some good news for folk with a sweet tooth – dark chocolate is believed to halve the risk of gum disease.
Researchers say it contains flavonoids and other anti-oxidants, which can lower inflammation.
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So with science backing snacking on the bars, which ones should you keep in your cupboard?
Happily, you don’t have to splash the cash to get a decent fix.
Here Thea Jacobs tastes the latest supermarket treats to see which offers the sweetest deal, with marks out of five for taste and price.
Tesco dark chocolate £1.55, 200g - 3/5
OFFERING a strong smell of cocoa, Tesco’s version is a decent go-to choice, with a nice deep colour to each square.
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With little effort required to break off a single piece, it starts off a little sweet before a stronger bitter taste takes over.
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The chocolate is reassuringly smooth and it melted quickly once I popped it in my mouth.
But this particular bar veers towards the sweeter end of the dark chocolate spectrum so, if you usually like a super-dark choc variety, this probably won’t hit the spot.
Cadbury Bournville Classic £2.50, 180g, Tesco - 3/5
THIS bar has a very dark, distinctive colour to it, without that strong cocoa smell.
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With pieces cut into smaller chunks than most of the own brand bars, it has a crumbly rather than a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
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A sweet undertone to the harsh cocoa notes means it is more reminiscent of milk chocolate, with no bitter aftertaste.
Shoppers beg Cadbury's to bring back 2005 recipe on iconic bar - as they moan current one ‘tastes like candle wax’
I can see why this is a classic choice for dark chocolate lovers, but it’s expensive compared to the own brands.
And with 20g less chocolate per bar, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra pennies.
Just Essentials dark chocolate 49p, 100g, Asda - 2/5
THIS smells exactly like you would expect dark chocolate to – bitter and full bodied.
It’s certainly very crumbly, which is what I’d imagine at this price point, and extremely rich and bitter, which is what you want from a dark choc hit.
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While it’s not moreish – just a few pieces are enough to satisfy any cravings – there is a slight chemical after- taste, which rather ruined the bar for me.
Anyone looking for a cheap way to get those anti- oxidants into their system could give this a whirl, but sadly there’s little else to recommend it.
Moser Roth dark chocolate £2.15, 125g, Aldi - 3/5
THIS certainly feels more luxurious than the others bars, as it is split into five and wrapped individually in tin foil.
It’s also surprisingly creamy given it’s 85 per cent cocoa.
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It still has the bitter hit I’d expect from dark choc, but has an underlying sweetness which is a nice way to finish off a bite.
You can certainly taste and smell that generous cocoa mix, which is what I’d expect from a super dark chocolate like this.
Given it’s from budget chain Aldi, I’d have expected it to be a bit cheaper.
Sadly, the high price knocked down the score.
Sainsbury’s dark chocolate £1.70, 200g - 5/5
SOMEWHAT darker in colour than it looks on the packet, this chocolate treat tastes nice and bitter the second it goes into my mouth.
Grainy vibes on the palate only serve to intensify its flavour.
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The strong taste stays long after I have chomped down a piece or two and means I certainly could not eat an entire packet in one sitting.
If you’re looking to gain the health benefits without wanting to binge, this might be the one for you.
It’s on the pricey side, but your gums will thank you.
Choceur dark £1.79, 200g, Aldi - 3/5
WRAPPING this in foil inside a cardboard box is a great trick to make it feel more expensive than it actually is.
With an appearance that’s much lighter in colour than all the other bars tested, this is very creamy for a dark chocolate and incredibly sweet.
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The result? It reminds me more of milk chocolate.
Containing just 45 per cent cocoa solids, Aldi’s version has between five per cent and ten per cent less than the other bars on the market.
After sampling a few bites, there is some signature bitterness you would expect with dark chocolate, but it’s at a minimal level.
Morrisons dark chocolate £1.80, 200g - 2/5
THAT familiar bitter smell hits you the second you open the packet, but this version strangely lacks in the taste department until you’ve been chewing for a good few seconds.
Once that flavour comes through, it is harsh and bitter, with a sad lack of cocoa taste.
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Suitable for those who don’t want sugar anywhere near their taste buds, it’s more expensive than several of the other own brand bars, which makes it worse value for money.
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For £1.80, I’d expect a better chocolate taste, not a whole load of bitterness that I could easily get from a cup of instant coffee.
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