10 Best Dark Chocolate Brands in India - Amul, Hershey's, Toblerone & More

Imagine what if your chocolate cravings can help you be in shape and fulfill your health-related goals. Well, let us invite you to the world of dark chocolates that help you cut down on your sugar cravings, immune your body and improve blood pressure and skin conditions. This blog is your ultimate guide to choosing from 10 best dark chocolate brands available in India at an affordable budget. What are we waiting for? Let us dive into the richness of dark chocolate and experience luxurious & sophisticated smoothness.

 

 

While choosing a chocolate brand, you do have to consider certain essential criteria so as to ensure a better selection:

 

First and foremost, it is brand reputation. Go for a chocolate brand having a strong history of manufacturing chocolate and having earned global customer trust, market respect and popularity.

 

Secondly, the amount of cocoa present in chocolate levels up its taste as well as the texture. Generally, a higher cocoa content means a richer and more intense flavour which chocolate lovers appreciate.

 

Another criterion in the selection process is the availability of the brands on the market, preferably offline. Professional tastings are also necessary for everyday consumer feedback and overall satisfaction, which may give meaningful insights into understanding the recurring issues and improvement of product quality.

 

With that in mind and considering these factors, we would like to emphasize the brands that go well both in expert evaluations and in everyday consumption.

 

Top 10 Dark Chocolate Brands in India

Whether you are a super chocoholic or someone who loves to explore new flavours and brands, this list of our top 10 best dark chocolate brands is something you shouldn't miss. So without wasting anymore time check the list below and experience the world of Cocoa from our experts point of view:

 

1. Amul Dark Chocolate

Amul which means Anand Milk Union Limited is India's most popular dairy cooperative brand. It has been a household name since 1946 as it made a significant mark in dairy product production and its dark chocolate range. For those who like their chocolate experience hearty, Amul's Dark Chocolates contain very high percentages of cocoa, about 55% to 90%.

 

 

The chocolate is derived from natural cocoa seeds, without any preservatives or artificial flavorings. This helps in enhancing the authenticity and taste of their chocolate products. Moreover, Amul's chocolate is budget-friendly and easily available in any convenience store or online.

 

Here is the list of different flavors and varieties of chocolate offered by Amul:

Amul 55% Dark chocolate: It contains a balanced and moderate cocoa content. It is perfect for those chocolate lovers who are transitioning from milk to dark chocolate due to its subtle bitterness.

 

Amul 75% Dark Chocolate: with its rich cocoa content, this one is the best option for those initially trying to get into the dark chocolate lovers club. The bitterness levels up and has a deeper, more intense flavor.

 

Amul 90% Dark Chocolate: this one is rich in cocoa and offers intense bitterness and minimal sweetness. It's specially designed for severe dark chocolate lovers.

 

Amul 99% Cacao Chocolate: It provides a bold, robust cocoa flavor with no added sweetness and is ideal for those who appreciate pure cocoa.

 

Besides, some other unique combinations that Amul comes up with are dark chocolate and orange. That combines the richness of dark chocolate with the zesty tang of orange in this taste adventure. Amul has gathered popularity over the years and brand trust from its customers. Also, thanks to Amul’s extensive distribution network, their dark chocolates are readily available across urban and rural India.

 

Their dark chocolate is affordable to ensure that more people can enjoy the bitter richness, making it stand out in the Indian market. With high cocoa content, natural ingredients, and the reputation of a trusted brand, one can understand why Amul dark chocolates stand first in the list of favorite chocolates among Indian chocolate lovers.

 

Tip for best offers: You can avail some great discounts using out Amazon coupons while ordering your dark chocolates.

 

2. Cadbury Bournville Dark Chocolate

Cadbury Bournville is the other most popular brand preferred due to its premium dark chocolates. The name "Bournville" inseparably goes along with a small village called Bournville in Birmingham of England, which is considered to be the hub of dark chocolate manufacturing. Its dark chocolate range is reputed for its rich, intense flavor and smooth texture. Bournville chocolates have a deep, luxurious taste that's rich and smooth. It's the kind of chocolate that melts slowly in your mouth, allowing you to savor every bite. They have a perfect balance of bitterness of dark chocolate with a slight hint of sweetness, thus making it more enjoyable, especially for the chocoholics who love the richness of dark chocolate but also appreciate a touch of sweetness.

 

 

Varieties of Cadbury Dark Chocolate:

1. Cadbury Bournville classic is rich with 50% cocoa content with a bit of subtle sweetness.
2. Cadbury Bournville with its richness of fruit and nut contains 50% cocoa with a salty nutty flavor to enjoy with every bite.
3. Cadbury Bournville Cranberry is a newly launched flavor that offers the tangy-ness of cranberry that gets well-balanced with the bitterness of 50% cocoa content.

The cocoa content of Bournville chocolates does vary, but it is usually 36% or more. Again, it is the color scheme that makes this packaging very swish and classy. This dark packaging, in rich tints of red, green, or purple color, depending upon the percentage of cocoa, carries off a sleek design and a touch of class.

 

Bournville is an emerging brand and is a bit more expensive in comparison to the other dark chocolate brands. It's worth every rupee spent. The brand always offers an overall satisfying dark chocolate experience, high-quality ingredients and elegant presentation which are best for every occasion.

 

3. Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate

Lindt Excellence is a Swiss chocolate maker, known in the world of chocolate for its prestigious dark chocolate portfolio. Lindt & Sprungli, popularly known as Lindt, was founded back in 1845 in Zurich, Switzerland. Since then, the company has been manufacturing fine chocolate with the richness of nature and without artificial preservatives. Their chocolate is made from the finest cocoa beans from the Amazons, excellently refined to ensure every bite one takes is of the finest flavor and best texture.

 

 

Lindt Excellence offers varieties of Dark Chocolate Bars, each with unique and sophisticated flavor profiles such as:

Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa: A classic Dark Chocolate Bar delicately balanced between a smooth, rich dark chocolate and a tint of sweetness.

 

Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa: This truly full-bodied and intense chocolate experience, especially for the genuinely devoted dark chocolate lover.

 

Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa: It is enriched with high cocoa content and the utmost bitterness with a hint of minimal sweetness - appreciated by those who live for dark chocolate.

 

Lindt Excellence 99% Cocoa: These dark chocolates offer an ultimate taste that is intensely bitter in nature.

 

Lindt Excellence 100% Cocoa: this is the purest form of dark chocolate, unsweetened for you to experience the raw and natural flavor of high quality cocoa beans.

 

In addition to the classic bars, some other innovative flavor combinations under the brand Lindt Excellence are:

Sea Salt: Delicate flakes of sea salt in dark chocolate meet in perfect balance, sweet and savory.

 

Orange Intense: Rich dark chocolate combined with zesty orange and crunchy almond slivers.

 

Mint Intense: Creamy dark chocolate paired, in precise measure, with an invigorating mint flavor.

 

Chili: Rich and dark chocolate combination then with a hint of spicy chili that leaves one pleasantly surprised.

 

Coconut: Dark chocolate with exotic coconut flakes for a taste uniquely delicious.

 

Quality-wise, Lindt ensures that it obtains the best quality cocoa beans, sourced ethically. More so, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has objectives of improving the living standards of cocoa farmers and promoting environmental sustainability.

 

It is because of its belief in craftsmanship, variety, and quality that Lindt Excellence has grown to become one of the most reputed brands of luxurious dark chocolate. Whether you are a dark chocolate enthusiast or a curious newbie, Lindt Excellence will take care of your experience through flavors that best suit your taste buds.

 

4. Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate

The Hershey Company was founded by Milton S. Hershey in the USA state of Pennsylvania back in 1894. By the beginning of the 1930s, it had developed over several decades into one of the largest and most popular chocolate makers in the world. It was brought out as a way of offering consumers a darker variant of their more famous milk chocolate in the 1930s. Hershey's Special Dark went on to be that well-known dark chocolate bar offering a broader, richer, more intense dark chocolate experience.

 

 

Well, Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate is 45% cocoa, so it tastes with a hint of bitters, moderate sweetness, and smooth richness but more intense in flavor in comparison with Hershey's milk chocolate. This is great for getting your feet wet with dark chocolate and perfect for seasoned dark chocolate lovers.

 

Well, this dark chocolate line includes chocolate bars, miniatures, chocolate chips, and baking cocoa. This puts it suitable for a wide range of applications and needs. Some of these products that include the following:

 

1. Hershey's Special Dark Bar
   1. Classic Bar: This is essentially the 'no-frills' Hershey's Special Dark Bar, which has a rich and smooth feel about it that will give you a satisfactory dark chocolate experience.
   2. Giant Bar: Only a big sister of the classic bar, so share it in your tribe and let everybody enjoy your chocolate moment.
2. Hershey's Special Dark Miniatures are the bite-sized pieces of all kinds of classic Hershey's chocolates like Milk Chocolate and Special Dark.
3. Add deep, rich chocolate flavor to cookies, brownies, and other sweet baked items with Hershey's Special Dark Baking Chips.

Similarly, the high brand awareness with over a hundred year-long historical momentum lends a positive brand image of trust to the brand name of Hershey's Special Dark. Other than that, it is highly available across Indian supermarkets, parchun shops, and online stores to the consumer. Authenticity in terms of quality and applicability for usages as wide as eating and baking comes at a premium compared to other dark chocolate brands.

 

The company has been able to find a huge position in the dark chocolate market and remains as one of the most preferred choices when it comes to a dependable and fun dark chocolate experience.

 

5. Nestle KitKat Dark Chocolate

The KitKat bar was invented by Rowntree's of York, UK, in the year 1935. In 1988, Nestle acquired Rowntree's and continued the production and global expansion of the KitKat brand. The KitKat Dark by Nestle is a gorgeous variation of the iconic KitKat brand that is much more intense in its dark chocolate experience. This product was introduced in response to the emerging demands for dark chocolate and customer preferences which were quite willing to get the bitter punch of raw cocoa flavor. For nearly the last two decades, it has been one of the most recognizable dark chocolate brands in the world.

 

 

This Kitkat Dark contains 70% cocoa solids with no artificial sweetener or preservatives added. Hence, this also defines the more intense chocolate flavor. The wafers were thickly coated with a most densely intense dark chocolate with a bitterly smooth texture that, hence created a wonderful textural contrast to make it so great for a treat break-in.

 

Nestle does from time to time, release limited flavors of KitKat Dark, such as Mint or Chocolate Orange, which again raises interest in the product line. More importantly, KitKat Dark is sold in most supermarkets, convenience stores, and many online retailers, hence much easier for customers to gain access to. Well, the simple KitKat Dark is the sophisticated take on the classic KitKat bar - light and crunchy wafers smothered in sumptuous velvety dark chocolate. It stands unique against other dark chocolate bars available in the market. Here, take a break; have a Kit Kat!

 

6. Toblerone Dark Chocolate

Toblerone, founded in 1908 by Theodor Tobler along with Emil Baumann in Bern, Switzerland, became the pride of the nation in terms of chocolate - customarily triangular in shape, inspired by The Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps is known for its serene beauty and its name is very much associated with a particular chocolate bar that excellently combines rich chocolate and creamy nougat.

 

 

This legendary sweet has been known all around the world for its unique shape and great taste. Dark chocolate varieties and limited special editions are also available. Toblerone Dark: Intense and sophisticated, the cocoa taste, complemented by milk chocolate, goes hand in hand with the brand's classic. With 50% or more of cocoa content, it is pure dark chocolate with a rich, bitter flavor. It comes with honey-almond nougat bits for a nice textural contrast between the smooth, deep chocolate and the crunchy sweet nougat.

 

Their special editions and flavours include:

Classic Toblerone Dark: dark chocolate and honey-almond nougat, a match made in heaven that gives just the right richness and texture.

 

Toblerone Dark with Salted Almonds: Salted almond bits in the mix of dark chocolate and nougat give flavor another dimension with a hint of saltiness to this sweet and bitter mix.

 

Toblerone Dark Orange: This limited edition combines dark chocolate with orange flavor and bits of nougat for a refreshing citrus variant to the classic taste of Toblerone.

 

Toblerone is synonymous with Swiss chocolate-making excellence that guarantees high quality and superior taste. Additionally, its distinctive triangular shape, with individually separated peaks, adds further visual appeal and shareability. It's hugely available almost in every supermarket, parchun shop, and online retailer across the globe - thereby accessible at all corners of the world. Hence, it's a must-try for every chocoholic and dark chocolate lover.

 

7. Van Houten Dark Chocolate

Van Houten was founded in 1828 by Coenraad Johannes van Houten in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The brand boasts being the first to introduce the cocoa press process and has managed to build itself as a name in chocolate circles. With an eye toward quality and sustainability, Van Houten stands out among the many chocolate brands. The company insists on using single-origin cocoa beans to present a consistent high-flavor profile in every bite. It justifies the authenticity, provides a rich, intense chocolate experience.

 

 

Van Houten Dark Chocolate Bars combine a rich, creamy taste with a strong flavor of rich cocoa content ranging from 46.5 % to more. The extra-dark variety is for the chocolate fan even more intense in chocolate; it has higher cocoa content and deeper and stronger flavors at 55% and more.

 

Special flavors and varieties launched by them are:

Van Houten Dark Orange: Dark chocolate offering zesty notes of orange, giving a refreshing citrus twist on the classic dark chocolate bar.

 

Van Houten Dark Almonds: Dark chocolate accompanied by crunchy almond pieces that add textural contrast and nutty undertones to the richness of the dark chocolate.

 

The company is also represented by its dark chocolate products intended specifically for baking and cooking. For instance, Van Houten's dark chocolate chips fit perfectly in cookies, cakes, and other sweet dishes. Van Houten's richness and authenticity in its products come from its long-standing expertise in making chocolate.

 

The brand innovates further by fusing the traditional way of chocolate-making with modern development to produce better dark chocolate products. Being widely available in most nearby supermarkets or even online retailers across India, accessibility is easy for any customer. Therefore, Van Houten satisfies both the chocolate and culinary needs of Indians.

 

8. Ketofy Dark Chocolate

Ketofy is an innovative brand majorly famous for keto-friendly dark chocolates. It caters to people on ketogenic or low-carb diets. So if you're one who is strict about your diet, Ketofy will serve as a one-stop to fulfill all your dark chocolate cravings with no guilt. Primarily, it works on the concept of making chocolate to satisfy your cravings but with a filtering of the ketogenic diet.

 

 

Well, Ketofy dark chocolate is low in carbs so as to help people keep their intake to a minimum so that they can maintain their state of ketosis. Also, the sweetening agents used in these dark chocolates are keto-approved like Erythritol or Stevia, due to which it contains no added sugars and has a very low, close-to-nil glycemic index.

 

Classic Keto Dark Chocolate is rich in high cocoa content and low in carbs. It satisfies the cravings of keto dieters by offering unique flavors that are limited edition launches of the company:

Mint-Infused: A refreshing twist on traditional dark chocolate with natural mint flavors that complement richness.

 

Almond Crunch: Use the blend to add texture and nutty flavor to your dark chocolate, making it crunchy with almond pieces for a satisfying and keto-compliant snack.

 

Sea Salt Caramel: Adds unique flavor to the blend by combining dark chocolate with a hint of caramel and a touch of sea salt - sweet and savory with low carbs.

 

Even though most of Ketofy's dark chocolates can't be found in most local convenience stores, you can get them online from places like Amazon, Flipkart and Nykaa. With the keto diet being all over the internet, Ketofy dark chocolate places itself as the niche leader in keto-friendly chocolate, thereby attracting a demographic that is both loyal and on the rise.

 

9. Godiva Dark Chocolate

Founded by Joseph Draps in 1926, Godiva Chocolatier of Brussels, Belgium, is a renowned premium chocolate brand named after the legendary lady Godiva, considered a symbol of boldness, luxury, and elegance. Their dark chocolate has a full body in both flavor and texture. Godiva has bars in several cocoa percentages, hence giving lots of choices to consumers with a preference for this company.

 

 

It deals in some of the unique varieties of chocolates which are:

Dark Chocolate Truffles: These truffles are best known for their creamy centres and decadent flavours. Some newly launched unique flavors of these classic dark chocolate truffles are dark chocolate raspberry and dark chocolate lava cake that have gained popularity in recent times.

 

Dark Chocolate Ganache Heart Inlay: This box is filled with silky ganache centers smothered in dark chocolate and molded to create hearts. It makes the perfect gift for any occasion, as it is luxuriously indulgent.

 

Dark Chocolate Assortment Boxes: Godiva has a wonderfully packaged box of dark chocolate assortment boxes containing a mix of their finest creations in dark chocolate. These are perfect boxes to gift and present during special celebrations.

 

Masterpieces Dark Chocolate Collection: In the Masterpieces Collection, find individually wrapped chocolates inspired by Godiva's iconic pieces. Among them is a Dark Chocolate Ganache Heart; rich dark chocolate and smooth ganache melt beautifully together.

 

Godiva's premium dark chocolate range is seldom available in the market. You can have it ordered from online stores and from the official website of Godiva, again making it not so easily accessible to customers. It is best for gifting purposes and has remained a top-notch choice among chocolate lovers.

 

10. Galaxy Dark Chocolate - Fusions Smooth

Right back in the year 1960, Galaxy Fusions Smooth Dark Chocolate was launched in Britain, and since then it has been an emerging chocolate manufacturer that specializes in dark chocolate making. It has always shown meticulous attention to its raw products and hence maintained the authenticity of the chocolate products so that customers can experience the richness to their satisfaction.

 

 

These are dark chocolates made out of superior cocoa beans, grown in sustainable farms. Galaxy Fusions took it to heart to provide the best dark chocolate bars. In addition to this, a diverse selection of flavors will satisfy discerning tastes. From classic, plain, and smooth dark chocolates to exotic orange and raspberry fragrant bars, each variety is full of flavor, unique and memorable. This pure dark chocolate icon bar is an intense expression of roasted cocoa, smoother, and velvety in texture, simply melting in the mouth.

 

These chocolate bars come infused with other flavors like mint, salted caramel and raspberry giving a brilliant twist to a traditional dark chocolate. What sets Galaxy Fusions Smooth Dark Chocolate apart in this cacophony of a chocolate marketplace is availability, sweeping into convenience stores and even online. Availability It boasts top-of-the-line quality production and unique flavor profiles that appeal to tastes seeking more refined chocolate indulgence.

 

Benefits of Dark Chocolate for Men's & Women's

Dark chocolate that is rich in cocoa percentage mirrors a nutrient-dense food that is abundant in antioxidants. Now, some of the main pros of dark chocolate are mentioned below:

1. Dark chocolate is full of some very influential antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols and catechins that work to quash free radicals, protect the body from the attack of free radicals and lower the risks of chronic diseases.
2. Cardiovascular Health: More blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease due to nitric oxide produced by flavonoids.
3. Improves Brain Function: Dark chocolate, owing to flavonoids, increases blood supply to the brain. If more blood flows to the brain, one's memory, attention, and processing speed can be enhanced. These little stimulants, as found in dark chocolate, may elevate your brain activity for some time.
4. Obese people can revel in the fact that, although almost mythic, dark chocolate does help them manage their weight. It controls appetite by reducing cravings for unhealthy snacks and gives a full, satisfied feeling.
5. PEA present in it gets converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, elevating the mood and inducing feelings of happiness. This will also stimulate the release of the body's natural feel-good chemicals, endorphins.
6. The antioxidants, which are contained in dark chocolate, enhance the immune system by reducing Oxidative Stress and inflammation, which in turn enhances the body's fight against infections and diseases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the list of dark chocolate is so vast that you will lose yourself in innumerable options from organic and ethically sourced cocoa content to keto-friendly healthier indulgence. So, whether you are newly introduced to dark chocolate or have been breathing dark chocolate, we provide you with all the options to choose from as per your preferences. So don't sit idle here reading this blog! Grab your darkie right now!

 

Additional Tips to Enjoy Your Best Dark Chocolate

How to Store Dark Chocolate?

1. Store your dark chocolate in a cool, dry place. The temperature will ideally be 60-70°F or 15-21°C. This has to be kept away from areas that have high humidity, since this would cause the end result—a whitish coating on your chocolate known as "sugar bloom."
2. One can pretty much think about light and exposure to air as two causes that will make low-quality dark chocolate. Keep in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight, if you would like the chocolate to maintain its flavor and texture.
3. If one has to store the dark chocolate in the refrigerator due to a very hot environment, make sure that it is wrapped tightly either in plastic or stored in an airtight container to prevent even the minutest form of moisture and odors.

Good Dark Chocolate Tasting Practice

1. Observe: First, take a look at the chocolate. If it is dark and of high quality, then it will sheen slightly. It should be even in color.
2. Aroma: Give a thought to smell the aroma of the chocolate; it would be full-bodied, complex and inviting.
3. Snap: Break a piece of the chocolate. The clean, crisp snap is indicative of good tempering and hence, of quality.
4. Taste: Allow the chocolate to melt slowly on your tongue. Note flavors at the beginning and how they develop. The texture, creaminess and tastes that develop.
5. Appreciate: Taste the aftertaste and lingering flavors. High-quality dark chocolate will have a long complex finish.

Coupling Dark Chocolate with Other Foods and Drinks

1. Fruits go very well with dark chocolate. This would go fine with strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries; tangy citrus fruits like oranges or tangerines; and lastly mango and pineapple for the tropical twist.
2. Dark chocolate will also pair well with nuts and especially with those truly rich in flavor. From almonds and hazelnuts to walnuts and pistachios, they are indeed excellent choices that go really well with their dark chocolate counterpart.
3. Full-bodied red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Merlot, are also very suitable pairing for dark chocolate.
4. The taste of coffee to balance with dark chocolate for rich flavor. Take a piece of dark chocolate with espresso or just black coffee.
5. Some teas really bring out the best in dark chocolate. Take, for instance, black teas, particularly Earl Grey and oolong tea; herbal ones like peppermint or chai. There you go - tips into the real pleasure of dark chocolate by appreciation of its rich flavors and generally maximizing your tasting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dark Chocolate

Is dark chocolate good for your health?

Yes, dark chocolate is usually good for health if taken in moderation. It contains antioxidants and a high content of flavonoids that help reduce inflammation and improve heart and brain function. These also provide minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc.

 

Is dark chocolate good for weight reduction?

Moderate intake of dark chocolate can be part of one's weight loss program. When taken in large amounts, its high fibre content will leave one with the feeling of fullness, thereby suppressing hunger. On the other hand it is also dense in calories, so one should be careful with the serving size to prevent too many additional calories.

 

Does dark chocolate really contain caffeine?

Yes, dark chocolate contains some caffeine. However, the amount is very minute compared to what can be found in coffee or tea. The caffeine content depends on the cocoa percentage and the type of dark chocolate used. Generally, a 30 grams serving of dark chocolate would contain approximately 12 milligrams of caffeine.

 

Is dark chocolate good for periods?

Dark chocolate may be a friend during periods as it is rich in magnesium, which helps alleviate cramps and mood swings. In addition, it enhances your mood and gives a sudden energy boost. Dark chocolate must be taken with low added sugars only.

 

Is dark chocolate good for people with diabetes?

Dark chocolate can easily fit into the diet of a diabetic patient if taken in moderation. It has less GI than milk chocolate and has healthy antioxidants. However, the portion sizes shall be regulated and the dark chocolate should have as little added sugar as possible and high cocoa contents.

 

Which is the best dark chocolate available in India?

The best dark chocolate in India depends upon personal preference and specific health goals. Popular brands include Lindt, Cadbury Bournville and Amul. While Lindt Excellence or Cadbury Bournville is an obvious choice for those seeking a rich taste and high cocoa content, Amul gives a wide range of dark chocolates with several cocoa percentage options.