Tag: 55 cocoa

According to many chocolatiers and industry standards, a chocolate bar containing at least 55% cacao can be legitimately labeled as dark chocolate. So, is 55% cocoa dark? The short answer is yes, but its specific characteristics place it on the milder, sweeter end of the dark chocolate spectrum, which is key to understanding its flavor and best uses.

According to the USDA, dark chocolate containing 45–60% cocoa solids typically contains around 12.2 mg of caffeine per ounce. This means that a standard 55% dark chocolate bar falls within this range, providing a modest amount of caffeine compared to coffee or higher-percentage chocolates.

A 100-gram bar of 55% cocoa dark chocolate can contain approximately 520-560 calories, though this can vary significantly by brand. The precise calorie count depends on the specific recipe, including the ratio of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and added sugars, influencing the final nutritional profile of the product.