Introduction

We always love to hear sweet compliments, sweet polite voices. What we don’t like is harsh, rude, bitter things. And to make our mouth feel sweeter, there isn’t a better alternative to chocolate. Eating chocolates is what everyone loves to prefer, be it, adults or children. And to cherish the best taste one should always look for the best chocolates in USA.

Chocolate is known as the “Food of the Gods”. The chocolate word is derived from the generic name Theobroma Cacao- literally meaning Food of the Gods. The main ingredient of chocolate is cocoa, grown mainly in the equatorial zones of South America.

Where sweetness is one reason, some of them also benefit our health. It helps in lowering cholesterol levels, preventing cognitive decline, and reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Chocolates are an excellent source of quick energy, and they also contain minute amounts of stimulating alkaloids theobromine, and caffeine.

Be it a gift for a proposal or a festive season (like Easter, Diwali), to make a child happy, to bring a smile to every person’s face, chocolates play a very important role. Chocolate is an acceptable gift on holidays and occasions like birthdays. The chocolate being the very first love of every man, woman, and child, is reckoned to be a solution to every problem from upset and anger to happiness.

Chocolate is also used as the main ingredient in a variety of candy and chocolate bars, which typically contain various confectionery ingredients ( wafer, caramel, nuts, etc.) which are coated in chocolate. Chocolate is also used as a flavouring product in many desserts, like cakes, brownies, mousse, etc.

To make it taste even better than usual it comes in a number of flavours and sizes. These additional cherries on cakes have created a lot more confusion to select the best chocolate that tastes great and is also good for health.

So to ease it out a little let’s delve into the list to know the better side of the best chocolates In USA with remarkable features because when” One Eats Healthy, Stays Healthy.”

Chocolates in USA

Our pick of the 5 best Chocolates of 2024 in USA

Let's take a deep dive into these 5 best Chocolates in USA

Best Overall Chocolates in USA

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

A+

Zotezo review

The GHIRARDELLI Premium Assorted Chocolate Squares offer a delightful variety of flavors, making them ideal for chocolate lovers seeking a premium treat. While the assortment is limited, the chocolates are a delicious choice for those looking to indulge.

Product details

  • Premium assorted chocolates

  • Dark Chocolate Raspberry flavor

  • Dark Chocolate Mint flavor

  • Milk Chocolate Caramel flavor

  • Dark Chocolate 60% Cacao

  • Ideal for chocolate lovers

Benefits of Ghirardelli Assorted Chocolate S...

  • Premium assorted chocolates

  • Ideal for chocolate lovers

  • Variety of flavors

Drawbacks

  • Limited variety in flavors

  • May not withstand hot weather conditions during shipping

A

Zotezo review

The Lindt LINDOR Assorted Chocolate Candy Truffles offer a delicious variety of flavors in a 15.2 oz. bag, making them perfect for gifting or enjoying a gourmet chocolate moment. While the assortment may not suit everyone’s taste preferences, the creamy and delicious truffles are praised for helping control portion size.

Product details

  • 15.2 oz. Bag of Lindt LINDOR Assorted Chocolate Truffles

  • Five flavor assortment: Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Caramel Milk Chocolate, 60% Extra Dark Chocolate

  • Gourmet chocolate candy

  • Perfect for any moment

Benefits of Lindt LINDOR Assorted Chocolate ...

  • Assorted flavors

  • Creamy and delicious taste

  • Perfect for gifting

  • Helps in controlling portion size

Weaknesses

  • Limited quantity in the 15.2 oz. bag

  • Assorted flavors may not suit everyone's preferences

A

Zotezo review

The Kinder Bueno Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut Cream 30 Pack offers a convenient and delicious treat with its individually wrapped chocolate bars featuring a smooth milk chocolate and hazelnut cream combination. Customers appreciate the fresh taste and hassle-free delivery, although availability and price can vary.

Product details

  • 30 individually wrapped packs

  • Contains two chocolate hazelnut candy bars per pack

  • Smooth milk chocolate with dark chocolate drizzle

  • Crispy wafer and hazelnut cream pockets

Benefits of Kinder Bueno Milk Chocolate Bars...

  • Convenient individual packaging

  • Fresh and tasty

  • Hassle-free delivery

  • Delicious flavor combination

Disadvantages

  • Limited availability in certain stores or online platforms

  • Price variations depending on the seller or packaging size

B+

Zotezo review

The Godiva Belgium Goldmark Assorted Chocolate 10.9 OZ offers a luxurious and impressive chocolate experience with a variety of flavors, making it a great gift option. However, the price may be deemed high compared to other options, and the packaging could be improved for better protection in warmer climates.

Product details

  • Assorted Belgian chocolates

  • 10.9 oz package size

  • Made in the United States

  • Product weight of 1.19 lb

  • Compact package dimensions

  • Premium goldmark collection

Benefits of Godiva Goldmark Assorted Chocola...

  • Impressive taste and variety

  • Luxurious packaging

  • Suitable for gifting

  • Offers a luxurious chocolate experience

Negatives

  • Price might be considered a bit high compared to other options

  • Packaging could be improved to ensure chocolates remain intact in warmer climates

B

Zotezo review

The HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Snack Size Candy Bars offer a convenient grab-and-go snack with neat and organized packaging. While some consumers may find the size too small and the quantity limited, the product is praised for being just the right amount for snacking.

Product details

  • Twenty-five (25) 0.45-ounce HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Snack Size Candy Bars

  • Convenient 11.25-ounce pantry pack

  • Easy storage in pantry or fridge

  • Neat and organized packaging

Benefits of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate S...

  • Convenient grab-and-go size

  • Right amount for snacking

  • Neat and organized packaging

Cons

  • May be too small for some consumers

  • Limited quantity in each pack

Tips for choosing the right Chocolates for you

Several factors play a very important role when selecting the best quality chocolate and they are as follows:

Check for an emulsifier

There should be no emulsifier in your chocolate. Naturally, chocolate is made up of mainly three ingredients: cocoa powder, cocoa butter and a sweetener. But some manufacturers add emulsifiers in their products to create a more smooth and creamy mouthfeel.

So before buying just check if carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate 80 is not present in it because these can be the reason for causing inflammation in the body.

Opt for 85% cocoa content or higher

Dark chocolates contain more cocoa content ranging from 70% to 90%. The higher the cocoa content the lesser will be the sugar content in the bar. And less sugar is good for your health and willpower.

Skip milk chocolates or white chocolates

White chocolates contain less amount of cocoa and more sugar. So, it is advisable to eat loads of dark chocolates instead of milk chocolates. So never get attracted by fancy packaging but do check for the ingredients labelled on the package.

Look for organic

The benefit of eating organic is that these chocolate are less exposed to pesticides and insecticides. Thus, the health-promoting content of food polyphenol created by plants remains intact in the food. So organic food ensures higher polyphenol content.

Going for total organic and pure chocolate means a reduced level of processing ensuring intact antioxidants and nutrients which is extremely good for health and maintaining a good texture of your skin whereas processed chocolates contain chemicals, preservatives etc.

Avoid lead and cadmium contamination

Lead exposure has been a significant public health issue for decades because it is linked with a variety of neurological impairments. Cadmium can cause damage to the kidney, liver and bones.

Therefore, before buying the chocolate look for these in the list of ingredients to avoid buying the product.

No alkali present

Alkali is used in chocolate to make it more mellow, soft and darken the cocoa. The use of alkali degrades the vital health benefits of cocoa by destroying the polyphenol present in it.

The polyphenols function as an antioxidant and also improve athletic performance for better healthier vascular function to better cognitive function.

So before buying the chocolate look at the package if it’s written processed with alkali, if it is so then avoid buying that chocolate.

Uniform Color

Always look for a chocolate, which is free of discolouration. Any discolouration or grittiness is a sign of improper storage and it may also indicate spoilage. So always check for a matte glass finish over chocolates.

Check for an Expiry Date

Every packed product has an expiry date or best before once it is manufactured. On the expiration date, the product becomes unfit for consumption. The expiry date is set according to scientific parameters and tests.

So it is important to check if the chocolate you are buying is fresh or not, if not then don’t buy it.

Quality and Freshness

Chocolate is best when eaten within a year of its production, but high-quality chocolates can be consumed well past their sell-by date. But this is not applicable to every brand of chocolate and type of chocolate. Flavanols provide excellent antioxidant properties and health benefits while keeping the chocolates fresher tasting longer than that store-bought chocolate which contains artificial preservatives.

Products listed here are carefully reviewed and tested by our expert authors and reviewers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our editorial process.

How we reviewed these products

Benefits of using Chocolates

Chocolates are an incredible source of powerful compounds loaded with a number of health benefits and health potential for active performance, including:

  • Increase blood flow to the brain– Flavanols in dark chocolates have a positive impact on brain function, including better reaction time and stronger memory. And these flavanols increase the blood flow to the brain.
  • Reduce signs of brain ageing– The polyphenolic components found in chocolate helps in reducing signs of brain ageing and improve the functioning of the brain.
  • Reduce oxidative stress– The polyphenolic components have antioxidant properties which prevent the oxidants to build up in our body which affects our body system.
  • Improve skin appearance– The flavanols help in keeping the skin health improved by acting as a good antioxidant.
  • Better cognitive function– Due to better blood flow to the brain on the consumption of dark chocolates help in better cognitive function.
  • Enhanced athletic endurance– The epicatechin present in chocolates produces an increased amount of nitric oxide which helps in improved circulation and reduces the amount of oxygen an athlete uses while engaged in moderately intense exercise.

Side-effects of using Chocolates

Consuming chocolate in excessive amounts can lead to adverse effects such as weight gain due to its high calorie and sugar content. Additionally, some individuals may experience migraines or acne outbreaks triggered by certain compounds found in chocolate. Moderation is key to enjoying its benefits without experiencing these side effects.

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Frequently asked questions on Chocolates

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Conclusion

We have tried providing all the requisite information in this article that you need to have before buying any good chocolate in USA.

Was this article helpful to you? Then do share it with your friends and family so that they get benefited from this as well. Also, do share your feedback with us, and do not forget to mention your pick from this list of the best chocolates in USA!

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Dt. Mary Ahern

MS, RD

Dietitian verified

Mary Ahern, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and health writer who is passionate about plant-based nutrition and achieving better health by balancing time between the kitchen and the gym. Currently she's pursuing PhD from University of Arizona