What are the ingredients in Lindt dark 70%? A complete guide

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the brand's official websites, the primary ingredients for Lindt's classic 70% Excellence dark chocolate bar are cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla. This simple formula, however, has nuanced variations depending on the product line and country of sale.

Quick Summary

Lindt's 70% dark chocolate typically features a straightforward recipe of cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla beans. Variations exist across product lines like Excellence and Lindor, sometimes including soy lecithin as an emulsifier. The production process also means potential cross-contamination with common allergens like milk and nuts.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The classic Lindt Excellence 70% bar is made primarily with cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla.
Emulsifier: Some versions may also contain soya lecithin, which is an emulsifier that helps to create a smoother texture.
Allergen Warnings: Due to shared production facilities, products often carry 'may contain' warnings for common allergens like nuts, milk, and soy.
Product Line Variations: The ingredient list differs significantly between products like the solid Excellence bar and the filled Lindor truffle, even at the same cocoa percentage.
Vegan Suitability: While the Excellence 70% is made without animal products, cross-contamination is a risk, making it potentially unsuitable for strict vegans with extreme allergies.
Cocoa Butter's Role: Cocoa butter is the fat from the cocoa bean that gives the chocolate its signature melting quality and smooth mouthfeel.

The Core Ingredients of Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate

The most common and simple formulation for the Lindt Excellence 70% dark chocolate bar includes just a handful of high-quality ingredients, which is a hallmark of fine chocolate.

Cocoa Mass

This is the most significant ingredient, comprising the bulk of the 70% cocoa solids. Cocoa mass is essentially the paste made from ground, roasted cocoa beans. It's responsible for the deep, complex flavor and aroma of the chocolate. Lindt is known for its bean-to-bar process, controlling every step from selecting beans from regions like Ecuador, Madagascar, Ghana, and the Caribbean Islands to creating the finished product.

Sugar

As with all chocolates, sugar is added to balance the natural bitterness of the cocoa mass. Lindt's Master Chocolatiers carefully balance the amount of sugar to ensure the 70% dark chocolate is intense but not overwhelmingly bitter, allowing the cocoa flavor to shine.

Cocoa Butter

This is the natural fat extracted from the cocoa bean, which contributes significantly to the chocolate's texture. Cocoa butter melts at body temperature, giving Lindt dark chocolate its signature smooth and satisfyingly melt-in-the-mouth quality.

Vanilla

In most Excellence 70% bars, vanilla or bourbon vanilla beans are added to enhance the flavor profile and provide a subtle aromatic complexity. It complements the robust cocoa notes with a hint of natural sweetness.

Emulsifier (Soya Lecithin)

Depending on the product and country, some variants of Lindt's 70% chocolate include an emulsifier like soya lecithin. This additive helps create a smoother, more uniform texture by binding the cocoa solids and cocoa butter together, preventing the chocolate from separating.

Ingredient Variations and Allergens

It is important to check the specific packaging of the product, as ingredients can differ slightly between product lines and regional formulations. Lindt explicitly states that its manufacturing processes can lead to cross-contamination.

Common Allergens in Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate

Soy: Products may contain or be manufactured with soy lecithin, even if not listed in the main ingredients. Lindt Excellence 70%, 85%, 90%, and 99% bars are the only ones without soy lecithin in the recipe, though cross-contamination is still possible.
Milk: While the core dark chocolate recipe does not use milk as a primary ingredient, there is a strong possibility of cross-contamination due to shared manufacturing facilities that also process milk chocolate. This is a crucial consideration for those with severe lactose intolerance.
Nuts: Similarly, Lindt's facilities handle various nuts. The 'may contain nuts' warning is prominent on many packages, signaling a risk for those with nut allergies.
Gluten: The Excellence 70%, 85%, 90%, and 99% bars are made without ingredients containing gluten. However, for those with severe sensitivity, it's vital to check packaging, as some products may carry traces.

Comparison of Different 70% Lindt Products

While the basic Excellence bar is simple, other 70% products, like the Lindor truffle, have a different composition to achieve their distinct qualities.


Feature	Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate Bar	Lindt Lindor 70% Cocoa Truffle
Format	Thin, solid bar	Shell with a smooth, melting filling
Key Ingredients	Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Vanilla, (sometimes Soy Lecithin)	Bittersweet Chocolate (Chocolate, Sugar, Cocoa Powder), Vegetable Oil, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin
Texture	Firm, with a distinctive snap	Hard outer shell with a creamy, smooth-melting center
Allergen Profile	May contain milk, nuts, soy	May contain milk, soy, and other allergens depending on the filling
Taste Profile	Intense, balanced cocoa flavor with fruity and vanilla notes	Intense dark chocolate flavor balanced by a sweet, smooth, and rich interior filling

The Role of Each Ingredient in Flavor and Texture

The minimal ingredient list of the Excellence 70% dark chocolate is intentional, allowing each component to play a specific, crucial role in the final product:

Flavor: Cocoa mass and vanilla provide the core flavor profile, from the deep, roasted cocoa notes to the delicate, aromatic finish. The precise blend of cocoa beans from different regions contributes unique nuances, from fruity to earthy notes.
Sweetness: The quantity of sugar is crucial for balancing the bitterness. For a 70% bar, the goal is not to eliminate bitterness but to mellow it, creating a harmonious and complex taste rather than just a sugary one.
Texture and Mouthfeel: Cocoa butter is key to the chocolate's melt-in-your-mouth sensation. The cocoa butter content, along with the refining and conching process, ensures a smooth and luxurious feel. An emulsifier, if used, further refines this texture.

What Makes Lindt Dark 70% Vegan-Friendly?

Because the basic recipe for Lindt's Excellence 70% dark chocolate does not contain milk products, it is often considered suitable for a vegan diet. However, the risk of cross-contamination with milk and other animal products from shared manufacturing equipment is a significant factor. For individuals with dietary restrictions or ethical concerns about cross-contamination, it is crucial to carefully read the label and check the manufacturer's specific guidance. Lindt's FAQ page notes that some products, like the 70% bar, contain no animal products as ingredients, but advises checking packaging for specific warnings regarding traces.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the list of ingredients in Lindt dark 70% is notably short and high-quality, focusing on cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla to achieve its complex and balanced flavor profile. While simple in recipe, a variety of factors, including the specific product line and regional formulation, can influence the final list. Most importantly, consumers with allergies must be aware of the 'may contain' warnings for allergens like soy, milk, and nuts due to shared manufacturing processes. This simplicity is central to the product's appeal, allowing the nuanced flavors of the carefully sourced cocoa beans to be the star.

Outbound Link Example: For those interested in the details of how cocoa beans are sourced and processed for chocolate production, the Fine Chocolate Industry Association offers extensive information on the ingredients that make up quality chocolate.(https://www.finechocolateindustry.org/ingredients_of_fine_chocolate.php)

Frequently Asked Questions

The core recipe for the Excellence 70% bar does not contain milk or dairy products as an ingredient. However, because Lindt’s factories also process milk chocolate, all dark chocolate products carry a 'may contain milk' warning due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, Lindt Excellence 70% is suitable for many vegans because it contains no animal products in its recipe. But, the risk of cross-contamination with milk during manufacturing means strict vegans should be aware of the 'may contain milk' warning.

Some formulations of the Excellence 70% bar include soy lecithin as an emulsifier for a smoother texture. Lindt's website clarifies that some of its higher percentage Excellence bars do not use soy lecithin in the recipe, but it's important to check the specific packaging.

The Lindt Excellence 70% bar has a simple, pure ingredient list (cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla). The Lindor 70% truffle, however, includes additional ingredients for its soft melting filling, such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, milk fat, and additional flavourings.

While nuts are not a direct ingredient in the standard Excellence 70% dark chocolate, all Lindt manufacturing facilities process nut products. The company places a 'may contain nuts' warning on its packaging to inform consumers of the potential for cross-contamination.

The smooth texture of Lindt Excellence dark chocolate comes from high-quality ingredients like cocoa butter, combined with Lindt's unique conching process. Conching involves continuous mixing to develop the chocolate's flavor and melt-in-the-mouth consistency.

The ingredient list can vary slightly depending on the specific product line (e.g., 'Mild' vs. 'Intense') and the country of sale, as different regions may have specific regulations or customer preferences. For instance, some countries may label vanilla beans while others just say vanilla.