How much cocoa solids are in Lindt chocolate?

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

The cocoa percentage in Lindt's Excellence range can climb as high as 99%, but how much cocoa solids are in Lindt chocolate across its wider product line? The amount varies dramatically depending on the specific product, ranging from a minimum of 32% in many milk chocolates to the very highest percentages in its darkest bars.

Quick Summary

Lindt's cocoa solid percentages vary significantly by product, offering a range from smooth milk chocolate with around 32% cocoa to intensely dark bars featuring 99% cocoa content. The percentage indicates the amount of cocoa-derived ingredients, influencing flavor and richness.

Key Points

Variable Content: The cocoa solids in Lindt chocolate vary widely, from around 32% in standard milk chocolate to 99% in its darkest Excellence bars.
Excellence Highs: The Lindt Excellence line features high-percentage dark chocolates, including 70%, 85%, 90%, and the very intense 99% cocoa variants.
Lindor Standards: Most Lindor milk chocolate truffles contain a minimum of 32% cocoa solids, while the extra dark Lindor truffles have a shell with 60% cocoa solids.
Flavour Indicator: The cocoa percentage serves as a guide for flavor intensity; higher percentages mean a richer, less sweet taste, whereas lower percentages result in a creamier, sweeter profile.
Beyond Percentage: Factors like bean origin, conching, and ingredient blending influence the final flavor and texture, distinguishing Lindt's quality.
Different Products, Different Goals: Lindt customizes the cocoa content to achieve specific flavor and texture profiles for different products, from snapping dark bars to meltingly smooth truffles.

Understanding the Cocoa Percentage

The percentage of cocoa on a chocolate bar's packaging refers to the total amount of ingredients derived from the cocoa bean. This includes cocoa mass (the pure, ground cacao bean), cocoa butter (the fat pressed from the bean), and cocoa powder. A higher percentage means a more intense, less sweet flavor profile, while a lower percentage indicates a sweeter, milkier taste.

Lindt is renowned for its high-quality chocolate, with products spanning a wide spectrum of cocoa percentages. The Excellence line is particularly celebrated for its high cocoa content, catering to dark chocolate enthusiasts, while the popular Lindor truffles offer a smoother, more accessible range of flavors.

The Lindt Excellence Range: A Deep Dive into High Cocoa

The Lindt Excellence line is the brand's flagship for high-cocoa bars, with a clear percentage displayed on each package. These bars are designed for connoisseurs who appreciate the complex and nuanced flavors of cocoa.

Lindt Excellence Bar Percentages

Excellence 99% Cocoa: The highest and most intense option, this bar offers a robust and surprisingly balanced flavor for purists.
Excellence 95% Cocoa: A slightly less intense but still powerful dark chocolate with a very low sugar content.
Excellence 90% Cocoa: An intensely dark bar with a rich aroma and full-bodied taste.
Excellence 85% Cocoa: A very popular option that delivers an intensely decadent flavor with balanced sweetness.
Excellence 78% Cocoa: A sophisticated dark chocolate with a nuanced profile.
Excellence 70% Cocoa: A bestseller known for its perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, often with fruity and citrus notes.
Excellence 65% Cocoa (Milk): This bar offers a high-cocoa milk chocolate experience for those looking for a transition between dark and milk chocolate.

Cocoa Solids in Lindor Truffles and Other Products

The famous Lindor truffles and standard Lindt milk chocolate bars generally contain a much lower cocoa percentage than the Excellence line. This is a deliberate choice to achieve their signature smooth, melting consistency and sweeter flavor.

Lindt Lindor Truffle Cocoa Content

Milk Chocolate Lindor Truffles: These contain a minimum of 32% cocoa solids, with a higher milk solid content contributing to their creamy texture.
60% Extra Dark Chocolate Lindor Truffles: For those who prefer a darker Lindor, the extra dark variant has a chocolate shell with 60% cocoa solids.

A Comparison of Popular Lindt Products


Product	Type	Minimum Cocoa Solids	Taste Profile	Notes
Excellence 99%	Dark	99%	Intense, bitter, complex	Highest cocoa content
Excellence 85%	Dark	85%	Intense, powerful, earthy	High cocoa, lower sugar
Excellence 70%	Dark	70%	Balanced, fruity, aromatic	Bestselling dark bar
Lindor Milk Truffle	Milk	32%	Creamy, sweet, smooth	Signature melting center
Lindor 60% Dark Truffle	Dark	60%	Smooth, rich, dark	Dark truffle with melting center
Classic Milk Bar	Milk	30%	Sweet, milky, classic	Smooth and creamy finish

Factors Influencing Chocolate Flavor Beyond Percentage

While the cocoa percentage is a major determinant of flavor, other factors play a significant role. The sourcing and quality of the cocoa beans, the conching process, and the blend of other ingredients are all critical elements. Lindt's use of fine-flavor beans and its signature conching process, invented by Rodolphe Lindt in 1879, contribute to its unique taste and melting texture.

Bean Variety: Lindt uses a high proportion of fine-flavor cocoa beans, which account for only a small percentage of the world's cocoa harvest. These beans have more complex aromatic notes.
Conching: This intensive stirring process develops the flavor and creates the ultra-smooth texture that Lindt is famous for.
Roasting: Each type of cocoa bean is roasted individually to optimize its flavor profile before being blended.

Conclusion

Lindt's extensive product range offers a wide variety of cocoa solids content to suit every palate, from the intensely rich and bitter Excellence bars (as high as 99%) to the famously smooth and sweet Lindor milk truffles (minimum 32%). Knowing the cocoa percentage empowers consumers to select a chocolate that matches their flavor preferences, whether they seek a bold and complex dark chocolate experience or a milder, creamier one. For detailed nutritional information and ingredients on specific products, always check the official Lindt website or product packaging. You can learn more about the specifics of their cocoa content on the official Lindt USA FAQ page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard Lindt milk chocolate, such as the classic milk bars or Lindor milk truffles, typically contains a minimum of 30-32% cocoa solids.

Lindt offers a 99% cocoa Excellence bar. While it's nearly pure cocoa, 100% cocoa is often considered pure cocoa rather than a chocolate bar in the traditional sense, but the 99% bar provides the richest experience possible.

Lindt's extra dark Lindor truffles have a chocolate shell with 60% cocoa solids and a smooth melting filling.

The cocoa percentage refers to the total amount of ingredients derived from the cocoa bean, including cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. It helps gauge the flavor intensity and sweetness level.

Chocolates with a higher cocoa content, like the Lindt Excellence 85% or 90% bars, generally contain less sugar and are higher in antioxidants, making them a more nutrient-dense option compared to milk chocolate.

Lindt offers higher cocoa milk chocolate bars, such as the Excellence Milk 65%, for consumers who want a richer, less sweet milk chocolate experience. It creates a balance between the creaminess of milk and the vibrant notes of cocoa.

Lindt clearly labels the percentage of cocoa on the packaging of its Excellence range. For other products like Lindor truffles, the label indicates the minimum cocoa solids, which can be found on the company's official website or product pages.

The lowest percentages are found in some of their milk chocolate products, with a minimum cocoa solids content of 30-32% in products like the classic milk chocolate bar and Lindor milk truffles.