The list of best dark chocolates in India in 2024 which we have collated will make the chocolate lovers drool over its heavenly taste, premium quality and smooth texture. Browse through these awesome dark chocolates and enjoy a chocolaty munch.
We have prepared a list of 10 Best Dark Chocolate Brands in India in 2024 after in-depth research, to help you buy the best brands of authentic dark chocolates.
Across all ages, chocolates have always been a weakness and a hard to resist food item. Also at the same time, not every brand of dark chocolate available in the market is great, even though every brand will claim to be the best. As a customer, it becomes very difficult to make the best choice. It is also ambiguous to shortlist the best dark chocolate, as the parameters to consider is probably not known to all. Craving for chocolate is our natural instinct, let’s keep it alive.
Our extensive market research, robust consumer feedback, expert interviews and industry reports have resulted in shortlisting the best of dark chocolate brands for you.
Each and every product mentioned in the list here have been tested and evaluated by our expert team before making suggestions. We have evaluated them basis parameters like nutritional values, texture, contents, and other sensory elements. We want you to enjoy the chocolaty deliciousness while we meticulously prepared the top dark chocolate brands that would melt in your mouth.
What Good can Dark Chocolate do to you?
Not only does it taste good, but you will also be amazed to know the several health benefits that dark chocolate has to offer. It is even considered as a superfood by some experts. Dark chocolate with at least 60% of cacao content has remarkably high antioxidant properties, much to the surprise of chocolate lovers around the world. Though there’s a myth among consumers that chocolates are unhealthy, studies reveal otherwise. In fact, the immense goodness in dark chocolates can play a significant role in keeping you healthy and fit.
According to nutritionists, dark chocolates lowers the risk of heart diseases and has great nutritional value. Some of the health-boosting parameters of dark chocolates are listed below.
1) Controls Cholesterols
Dark chocolates consist of polyphenols and theobromine that reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. It lowers the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and enhances the antioxidant capacity of good cholesterol (HDL).
2) Maintains Healthy Heart
Dark chocolate consumption can help develop a healthy heart. Dark chocolate consists of flavanols that stimulate nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide is known to dilate blood vessels, which improves the overall flow of blood and thereby lowers blood pressure.
3) Beneficial to Skin
Bioactive compounds present in dark chocolate can be beneficial to the skin. The flavonols protect skin from sun damage and improve the flow of blood to the skin. With antioxidants, it fights ageing symptoms like wrinkles and greying hairs of the skin. It gives a younger look to your skin and also prevents the breakdown of collages by fighting stress hormones.
4) Reduces inflammation
Inflammation is a major concern to human health. It basically damages cells and tissues which might pose threat to health conditions. Consumption of dark chocolates however reduces inflammation due to anti-inflammatory properties attributed by certain compounds.
5) Improves brain functioning
Dark chocolates are rich in cocoa which is known to improve cognitive function among senior citizens. The caffeine and theobromine content also stimulates brain function significantly. Consumption of dark chocolate leads to intensified blood flow to important parts of brain, resulting into general alertness and promptness.
6) Lowers BMI (Body Mass Index)
Consumption of small quantities of dark chocolate frequently can lower BMI. Hence, it can work wonders for healthy individuals to bring it back to the optimal level and lead a better life. It enhances mood and makes flexible.
Look out for the Top 10 Best Dark Chocolates in India 2024
For dark chocolate lovers, the list of the top 10 dark chocolates in India 2024 will be handy to go for the best and not settle down for any other variant. The exquisite combination of bitter and sweet flavours, along with delicious taste makes chocolate lovers fall for the dark variant. We have done extensive research and have meticulously put up this list.
Several factors were considered while preparing this list so that it becomes robust and be of best use for dark chocolate lovers. Take a look and go for the best to end your cravings for dark chocolate.
1. Lindt Excellence Supreme Noir Dark Chocolate Bar
With 90% cocoa content Lindt is undoubtedly the best dark chocolate brand in India in 2024. Lindt is a Swiss chocolate brand founded in 1845 by David Sprüngli-Schwarz. Lindt manufactures one of the finest range of chocolates across its 12 factories, most of them being in Europe and a few in the US. In India, it imports some of the finest range of dark chocolates to satiate the cravings of chocolate lovers.
Lindt Excellence Supreme Noir Chocolate bar is made from the finest cocoa beans from around the world to give it a natural taste. With this bar, one can embark into an ultimate dark chocolate experience, featured with the trademark bittersweet flavour that melts in the mouth.
This 100% vegetarian bar is created by Master Chocolatiers from Lindt, having unmatched experience in making the most refined intense dark chocolate variant with the finest ingredients available.
2. Cadbury Bournville Rich Cocoa Dark Chocolate
Cadbury has long been the best chocolate brand in India with a wide range of offerings. And in the dark chocolate segment, it comes under the name of Bournville which is widely available across all store formats.
Bournville was first sold in 1908 and is named after the model village of the same name located in Birmingham, England. Cadbury is a globally known British confectionary company that was founded in 1824 and is now owned by Mondelez International since 2010.
Cadbury Bournville Rich Cocoa Dark Chocolate consists of 50% cocoa, which is much less as compared to other competitors available in the market. But is preferred by many chocolate lovers who would like to have less bitter dark chocolates. This premium chocolate from Cadbury is made of the finest cocoa beans that have the perfect size and aroma.
3. Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate
Hershey’s is an American brand that offers the best Dark Chocolates in India having a large variety as per customer’s needs. This 127-year-old company have been delighting the entire world with their finest chocolates that simply melts in the mouth. Founded by Milton Hershey, back in 1894, currently, Hershey’s chocolates are available across 60 countries globally.
With 45% cocoa content, Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate is mildly sweet in taste but of premium quality. It has high brand equity and is the perfect gift item for loved ones. With a great distribution network, the availability of Hershey’s dark chocolates is not an issue.
4. Amul Cacao Ultimate Dark Chocolate
Amul’s popularity is huge among Indians and they craft one of the best dark chocolates in India in 2024. Anand Milk Union Ltd widely abbreviated as Amul is not only India’s pride but the world’s largest producer of milk and milk products. With a great national presence, Amul products can be found in every nuke and corner of this country.
Amul’s range of chocolate also has got a huge fan following across the country. The dark chocolate offering from Amul is not only great in taste but pocket-friendly as well.
Amul Cacao Ultimate Dark Chocolate is purely vegetarian and claims to contain 99% cocoa. This dark chocolate bar is considered healthy as it doesn’t contain any added sugar and hence calorie-conscious consumers can take a bite safely.
5. Ketofy Dark Keto Chocolate
Ketofy is a chocolate brand from Wellversed Health Pvt Ltd that is loaded with dark chocolate benefits. This Gurgaon based company has fast grown into a leader of modern nutrition products for all kinds of dietary regimes. Ketofy Dark Keto chocolate is a healthy option that many opt during the restricted diet. Each of these choco bars has been derived from fine quality cocoa without adding any sugar, chemicals or other preservatives.
Wellversed terms its Ketofy Dark Keto chocolate as a perfect superfood that’s crafted from all-natural cocoa beans. Through Ketofy, the company serves healthy ultra-low-carb food products to its consumers, thereby improving health and lifestyle.
6. Bogatchi 99.99% Dark Handcrafted Chocolate
This Indian chocolate manufacturer is on a mission to revolutionize the confectionary segment and offers 100% dark chocolate in India. The brand Bogatchi has some fabulous and drool-worthy chocolate variants to offer to its consumers. Headquartered in Delhi, Bogatchi is known mainly for the personalised chocolate experience that it provides to its clients.
Bogatchi 99.99% Dark Handcrafted chocolate claims to put an end to dark chocolate cravings with its awesome handmade products that simply melts in the mouth. It is sheer joy to enjoy a bar of Bogatchi and hence they act as mood enhancers.
7. Toblerone Dark Chocolate with Honey & Almond Nougat
Toblerone brand owned by Mondelez is the best chocolate in India that is known for its distinct triangular prism-shaped chocolate. Emil Baumann & Theodor Tobler, created Toblerone in Bern, Switzerland in 1908. The brand’s logo is believed to be inspired by the shape of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. Besides regular chocolates, Toblerone has a wide range of dark chocolate to offer that will win over any chocolate lover at ease.
Toblerone Dark Chocolate is fabulous in taste and is a great gifting item. This Swiss dark chocolate bar is blissful and provides the ultimate experience.
8. Brookside Dark Chocolate
Brookside is one of the best dark chocolate brands that one can’t afford to miss. Though it comes from the stable of Hershey’s, it has its own fan base. Brookside Chocolate is a Canadian brand of dark chocolate products, consisting of fruit and nut flavours that are tasty and irresistible. In 2011, Hershey’s acquired Brookside Foods that manufactures such awesome dark chocolates.
Brookside dark chocolate is the result of 50 years of perfected practice of amazing chocolates that are sweet and smooth, intricately layered with unique flavours and textures to produce a delightful experience. Brookside’s fruit flavoured dark chocolates aren’t those regular run-on-the-mill flavours but have exotic fruits which are a rich, zingy sweet treat.
9. Nestle KitKat Dark Special Edition
Coming from the house of Nestle, this Kitkat variant can be a contender of the best dark chocolate in India with a good fan base. Nestle produces this crunchy chocolate-covered wafer-bar confection that is loved across the globe. Carefully crafted from premium quality cocoa sourced from Ecuador and Côte d’Ivoire, Nestle KitKat Dark special edition will not be able to resist you from taking an indulgent chocolaty break.
As they say “Unlock the bar, break a row and savour the water finger covered in deliciously smooth and intense dark chocolate” – KitKat Dark Special is something enjoyable and shareable with friends and family.
10. Zevic Belgian Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate
This is the best dark chocolate in India for weight loss, as Zevic is known to use stevia, the zero-calorie sweetener that helps you to indulge into pure chocolaty bliss completely guilt-free. Zevic is a registered brand of Zero Enthalpy Labs Pvt Ltd, an ISO 22000:2005 company pioneered in manufacture of Stevia extracts, glycoside powder from stevia, liquid stevia and stevia-based chocolates. With imported Belgian cocoa, they have created awesomeness in form of Zevic Belgian sugar-free dark chocolate that will leave you craving for it.
Zevic offers dark chocolates in the range of 55% to 99%, pick up the variant that would satiate your taste buds. Dark chocolates from Zevic is an equal blend of taste and health.
Your Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolates are amazing and to choose the best dark chocolate you need to follow certain simple parameters since the market is flooded with multiple brands of dark chocolate. Whenever there are too many brand offerings, it becomes ambiguous to choose one over others. Dark chocolates also come with certain health benefits, hence the ingredients of this matter a lot.
It is pertinent to mention here that dark chocolate shouldn’t have opted on the percentage of cocoa it contains, rather the focus should be on the powerful antioxidant effect it would have. Even blending with high antioxidant fruits enhances its taste as well as health benefits. Below are the given parameters that one should look at while buying the best dark chocolate brand.
1) Key Ingredients –
Look out for the key ingredients that make your dark chocolate taste heaven. Though cocoa forms the key ingredients, they are available in various formats like cocoa powder, nibs, butter etc and any of such form is acceptable.
At times, to give a dark appearance to the chocolate, several artificial ingredients are used which is best to avoid. Sugar is key content to balance the bitterness of dark chocolate, make sure optimum usage of sugar is done. Hence, better to choose low sugar content with high cocoa percentage. Avoid lecithin or other emulsifiers.
Also, dark chocolates shouldn’t have milk fat as a content. Often flavours are mixed, make sure organic ones are used. In case dark chocolate contains trans-fat, you know it has to be avoided for sure. If you keep these points in mind, you will end up buying the best dark chocolate that’s healthy.
2) Optimum Cocoa Content –
The percentage of cocoa used in dark chocolate varies from one brand to the other. Hence, one should look out for the same. A minimum of 70% or above is best. However, the higher the cocoa content, the greater is the concentration of antioxidants. Also, a higher cocoa presence in the bar leads to low sugar content. Higher cocoa content is beneficial to health and is safe.
3) Opt for fair trade & organic chocolates –
Many dark chocolate manufacturers source cocoa from other countries, and often in the process, the middle-men eats up a greater share, thereby leaving the cocoa farmers in shambles. By fair trade, it is meant that the cocoa farmers should earn a fair price in this process of procurement of cocoa beans. Organic chocolates are healthy and is devoid of any artificial chemicals and pesticides.
4) Quality vs Quantity –
Irrespective of the health benefits of dark chocolate, one can still have too much of a good thing. There’s currently no specific dose determined for consuming dark chocolates, but small bites of chocolate around 1-3 times daily appears to be most beneficial. Since, the energy from chocolate’s fat and sugar content can add up to your weight, it’s better to be vigilant.
5) Stay away from alkalized chocolates –
Alkalization is a process that the manufacturer uses to treat dark chocolates with alkali, so that it changes the colour and tones down the bitter flavour. This method is also known as Dutching. Dutching should be avoided as it significantly reduces the antioxidant level in the chocolate. One should check the ingredients and not opt for the ones which mentions “cocoa processed with alkali.”
Let’s Address your Queries
We have listed down the best dark chocolate in India in 2024 so that you get the best chocolaty treat and pamper your cravings for dark chocolate. A lot of research has gone into making this list that articulates all details.
The objective is to help you in buying the best dark chocolate brands in India so that you can enjoy the chocolaty heaven. However, we have listed below the most frequently asked questions by our subscribers which we tried to address through the best of our abilities.
Is Dark Chocolate Healthy?
Yes, dark chocolate has innumerable health benefits. As they are rich in antioxidants and minerals, dark chocolate enhances heart health, reduces inflammation, improves skin health, enhances mood, insulin resistance and improves brain functioning.
Which brand of dark chocolate is the healthiest in India?
Amul Cacao Ultimate Dark Chocolate is 100% vegetarian and contains 99% cocoa. This dark chocolate bar is considered healthy as it doesn’t contain any added sugar and hence calorie-conscious consumers can bite it with a smile.
Which is the best dark chocolate in India?
Cadbury Bournville is the best dark chocolate in India. Cadbury as a brand itself is synonymous to chocolates, and with its Bournville range of dark chocolate, it has its own hearts of millions of dark chocolate lovers across the country.
What is the purest dark chocolate?
Lindt is the purest dark chocolate brand available. This Swiss chocolate has rich cocoa content and tastes heaven. It is an age old brand that’s delighting dark chocolate lovers around the globe with its awesome collection of dark chocolate.
How much dark chocolate should I eat a day?
There’s no such recommended dose for dark chocolate consumption. However, 20 – 30 gms of dark chocolate every day is good for health. Anything too much can be addictive and might have adverse effect.
What is the best time to eat dark chocolate?
As a chocolate lover, you can have it anytime. But if you wish to cut some flab, it is better to consume it on an empty stomach or 30 mins post solid meal intake. You can also have dark chocolate as snacks in between lunch and dinner.
Is dark chocolate good for kidneys?
There’s no such negative effect of dark chocolate on normal kidney function has been observed so far. However, if one suffers from kidney disease then it is advisable to avoid dark chocolates. Dark chocolates and nuts have a significant amount of potassium and phosphorus present in them, which might cause health issues and other complicacies.
Does dark chocolate help burn fat?
To some extent it does. It basically weakens our cravings for other sweet and salty food items and even helps reduce stress, which is often cited as reason for belly fat. However, it is important to note that dark chocolates are already high on calories and fat, few variants also contains added sugar. Hence, tread carefully.
Is dark chocolate good for skin?
Yes, dark chocolate is good for skin. It helps to get rid of dark spots and pigmentation. Provides healthy glow to the skin and reduces wrinkles. It boosts circulation and retains skin moisture.
What are the disadvantages of dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate has a good percentage of caffeine content which when consumed in large quantity can lead to higher heart rate, anxiety, irritability, nervousness and dehydration. Dark chocolates can be addictive too and increase calorie count if not kept in check.
Best Dark Chocolates in India 2024 will make you drool
If you have a sweet tooth then this list of best dark chocolates in India will make you salivate for sure. Chocolate has its unconditional appeal across all age groups and a tasty one with attractive packaging will definite make you weak on your knees. And with added health benefits, dark chocolates even earned the tag of superfood. But which brand to go for and which one to avoid has always been a matter of debate. Every brand has its own USP and lineage.
However, you can trust our listing which goes through stringent norms of shortlisting and purchase the best quality dark chocolate to indulge yourself into some chocolaty goodness.
Good article. Useful