Preparation

Dark chocolate can be dairy-free and suitable for vegans. European law does not recognise the adjectives ‘dark’ or ‘plain’ usually added to this chocolate; it’s just known as ‘chocolate’. Dark chocolate should contain a minimum of 35% cocoa solids, at least 18% of which should be cocoa butter. However, the cocoa content can be, and often is, much higher than this, and can reach up to 80% and even 90%. High-quality dark chocolate has a more bitter taste than chocolate confectionery. It can be eaten as a snack or incorporated into rich cakes, sauces or desserts.