Vegan chocolates are very similar to traditional chocolates. They are taste-filled, indulgent, equally creamy, and even have numerous health benefits.
Have you turned vegan and now miss having your favorite chocolates? The good news is that you can still enjoy it! Well, like many alternatives to non-vegan foods, chocolate also has vegan versions. So, you can easily satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat that aligns with your eco-conscious values but is still as indulgent as traditional chocolate. This blog is all about vegan chocolates. So, keep reading to find out how these chocolates are simply perfect for vegans – from their ingredients to flavor profiles.
What is Vegan Chocolate?
Everything vegan is made with ingredients that are not derived from animals – the same goes for chocolates. In other words, vegan chocolates do not contain dairy products like milk or butter. Apart from this, they are manufactured from the same cacao beans as the conventional chocolate. As you all may know, cacao beans come from plants. So, them being the key component for chocolate definitely checks off the plant-based criteria of vegan food.
The question here arises: how is chocolate made without milk? Milk is essential to add creaminess to the chocolate so it cannot be missed from the ingredient list – unless it is dark chocolate. Therefore, plant-based milk has become a popular choice when making these chocolates. The common options include oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk and almond milk, etc.
| Are You Aware? |
| Cocoa butter is vegan as it is derived from cacao beans. It is called so because it is the fat component in chocolate and enhances the creaminess. |
Is Dark Chocolate Vegan?
Yes! Unlike milk chocolate, many dark chocolates are naturally vegan because they don’t contain any dairy content. Besides, they are characterized by their intense nature. That’s why they don’t need to have milk solids or butter. If you are vegan and enjoy bitter flavors, dark chocolate is for you! However, the less intense variants of dark chocolate sometimes contain a small amount of milk. So, it is better to buy vegan chocolates after doing proper research. Most importantly, check the label for ingredients used in it. The best part – dark chocolate comes in all forms. From truffles to flavored bars, you can enjoy your favorite treats without having to worry about anything.
Is Vegan Chocolate Tasty?
Many think that vegan chocolates compromise on the indulgent taste. But this is not true! In fact, they are as delicious as your regular chocolate. You can notice a slight difference in taste because of the plant-based milk content in it. However, they still tickle your taste buds the same way non-vegan chocolates do. The tastiness of chocolate is not judged by its flavor profile only. Another thing you need to consider is the mouthfeel.
Milk plays the main role in this matter as it adds to the creaminess of the chocolate. As aforementioned, vegan-friendly chocolates don’t contain dairy content. So, does this mean they are not creamy? Not at all! These chocolates offer the delightful texture you expect because of the presence of dairy-free alternatives in their composition.
Vegan Vs. Non-Vegan Chocolate
The main component that distinguishes vegan chocolate from non-vegan chocolate is the dairy content. Conventional chocolates contain milk solids, butter, honey, etc. These animal-derived components make the chocolate unsuitable for vegans. On the other hand, vegan chocolate has plant-based substitutes. It is the perfect treat for someone who’s craving for sweet, taste-filled treats. Here is the ingredient comparison of both vegan and non-vegan chocolates
| Non-Vegan Chocolate | Vegan Chocolate |
| Cocoa ContentSugarMilk SolidsButterGelationAdditives and Emulsifiers | Cocoa ContentSugar or its AlternativesPlant-based Dairy ContentAdditional flavoring and Emulsifiers |
Is Vegan Chocolate Healthy?
Apart from being delicious, another amazing thing about vegan chocolates is their health benefits. Undoubtedly, it boosts is good for your heart and brain health. Let’s discuss some more of them:
They are Rich in Nutrients
Vegan-friendly chocolate has more nutritional value than regular chocolate. As more plant-based ingredients are used (including fruit extracts, nuts, and dry fruits), they become enriched with vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, and more. Moreover, it also contains anti-oxidants which improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
They are Mood Boosters
Obviously, having chocolate – be it vegan – makes us feel good. The moment we take a bite of it, we start feeling happy. But, it’s not only because of its taste profile. There is a whole chemistry behind it. Many studies have shown that eating chocolate releases serotonin. This hormone is associated with reduced stress levels and anxiety. As a result, it induces a sense of relaxation and calmness.
How to Know if Your Chocolate is Vegan?
Unlike your regular chocolate, vegan chocolates are not easy to find. You cannot always expect to find them at your nearby grocery Instead, there is a whole lot of research that goes into the process of finding chocolates for vegans. See our top vegan chocolate picks if you don’t want to put in this much effort.
Moreover, here are some things to consider when searching for vegan alternatives to chocolate:
Look for Vegan Chocolate Brands
Many top chocolate brands have now started producing vegan versions of their hot-selling bars to cater to all sorts of customers. You can search the internet to find out the easily available vegan chocolate brands in the market.
Check for Vegan Labels
To know if the chocolate you’ve picked is vegan, you can check the packaging for the vegan label. Such labels are an indication that the chocolate is tested to be free of dairy or other animal-derived ingredients.
Read the Ingredient List
Another efficient measure you should take is checking the list of ingredients given on the packaging. In fact, this is the most convenient way of knowing if your chocolate has milk content or additives like gelatin, carmine, or shellac.