Want Some Dairy-Free Chocolates?
May 31, 2022
Chocolate production has come a long way in terms of milk alternatives. There is an option for almost all dietary requirements, from nuts to grains, as long as it didn’t come from a cow. But, did you know that true chocolate is already dairy-free?
Before learning about how chocolates are made, I actually thought all chocolates are made of sugar and milk. Well… that is still true because milk chocolate is one type of chocolate and the most popular. Except, of course, for dark chocolates, which are supposedly made without added milk. So, how can you still enjoy a milk chocolate without the milk?
Due to the rise of vegan and dairy-free diets, a lot of companies are now releasing their versions of dairy-free chocolates. Some use coconut milk or oat milk or rice milk as alternatives to cow’s milk. This is perfect for those allergic to milk protein or lactose intolerant chocolate lovers or those who want to change their lifestyle and shift to plant-based products.
In general, dark chocolate is still the best dairy-free and healthiest type of chocolate. The percentage on the labels indicate the ratio of the amount of cacao and sugar, so the higher the percentage is the better.
According to research, dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids, that are good for lowering blood pressure and inflammation in the body.
Animal milk powders, such as cow’s and goat’s milk, are used to add flavors and alter the texture of the chocolate. Pure cacao is bitter, so milk powders soften its taste.
Milk Alternatives To Dairy-Free Chocolates
There are a lot of plant-based alternatives, but the most common are coconut, oat, soy, and almond milk.
Coconut milk and soy milk are probably the most common types of milk in the market. However, all these alternatives provide an added taste to the mixture. Soy and almond have a nutty aftertaste, while oats and coconut milk taste like... well oats and sweet coconut.
Coconut is fattier due to its coconut oil content, and coconut milk chocolates are dairy, nut, and grain-free. However, it’s always best to check the packaging.
Oat milk chocolates have almost the same sweetness level with dairy milk chocolates, however the oat milk contain less fat so the production will need extra cocoa butter to compensate. Like coconut milk chocolates, oat milk chocolates are also dairy, nut, and grain-free. However, it’s always best to check the packaging.
Soy and almond milks are often the last options due to their aftertaste, but both are also dairy, nut, and grain-free.
Overall
With all the milk alternatives in the market right now, it’s normal to get confused on which type to get or which brand to try. Best practice is to always check the label and make sure the cacao percentage on that is what you would normally get.
When in doubt, choose dark chocolate and for a healthier option make it 70% or higher dark chocolate! And keep in mind that not all dairy-free chocolates are vegan, but that is a conversation for another day.
How about you? Do you like dairy-free chocolates? Which milk alternatives have you tried and loved? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and don’t forget to follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts for more fun and interesting chocolatey ideas!
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