The Expanding World of Vegan Chocolate
For many years, vegans primarily relied on high-cocoa dark chocolate, which is often naturally dairy-free. However, the landscape has changed dramatically. The booming market for plant-based foods has led to an explosion of innovation, with brands creating everything from creamy, milk-style bars to rich white chocolate, all without a single drop of dairy. These products often substitute traditional dairy with plant-based milks like oat, almond, rice, and coconut. The best choices for consumers often balance taste, ethical sourcing, and accessible pricing.
Top Vegan Chocolate Brands to Try
Here is a list of some of the most popular and widely available vegan chocolate brands, categorized by type, which can help you answer the question, "What brand is vegan chocolate?"
Vegan Dark Chocolate
- Alter Eco: This brand is known for its wide range of sustainably sweet and indulgent dark chocolate bars. They offer a variety of options, from a "Total Blackout" bar to flavors with quinoa crunch and mint. It's important to double-check specific product labels, as a few of their items may contain dairy.
- Endangered Species Chocolate: Offers a variety of dark chocolate bars, including options with espresso beans, which are vegan. The brand focuses on wildlife conservation, and all its products are certified vegan and ethically sourced.
- Taza Chocolate: Specializing in stone-ground, unrefined chocolate, Taza has several 100% vegan options, including their Wicked Dark Zambia bar. The stone-ground process gives their chocolate a unique, rustic texture.
- Tony's Chocolonely: This company is committed to 100% slave-free chocolate and offers several vegan dark chocolate options, such as their Dark Almond & Sea Salt bar and Extra Dark variety. They use fair-trade cocoa and recyclable packaging.
Vegan 'Milk' Chocolate
- Vego: A fan-favorite, this 100% vegan brand is famous for its whole hazelnut chocolate bar, which blends hazelnut butter for a creamy, dairy-free experience reminiscent of Nutella. Vego is also known for its ethical practices and organic certification.
- Lindt Classic Recipe OatMilk: A major brand that has entered the vegan market with oat milk-based "milk" chocolate options. Their products are designed to deliver a classic, creamy chocolate taste without dairy.
- Moo Free: A UK-based brand that specializes in dairy-free, vegan chocolate, with many milk-style bars and even mini chocolate bars. They are known for their allergy-friendly recipes.
- Enjoy Life: Offers ricemilk chocolate bars and chocolate chips, making them a great option for those with allergies, as the brand's products are free from many common allergens.
Vegan White Chocolate
- iChoc: A German brand available internationally, iChoc offers vegan white chocolate varieties, including a White Vanilla bar that uses rice milk as its creamy base.
- LoveRaw: Known for creating vegan versions of popular confectionery, LoveRaw has a white chocolate bar and white choc cream wafers that are highly rated by vegans and non-vegans alike.
- Pascha Chocolate: A great source for white baking chips, perfect for creating your own vegan desserts.
- Moo Free: This brand, which specializes in dairy-free chocolate, also produces a solid white chocolate bar.
Comparison Table of Popular Vegan Chocolate Brands
| Brand | Chocolate Type(s) | Dairy Substitute | Special Features | Ethical Sourcing | Certifications | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vego | 'Milk' (Hazelnut) | Hazelnut butter | Creamy texture, whole hazelnuts | Excellent (10% profits to NGOs) | Certified Organic | Holland & Barrett, Amazon |
| Alter Eco | Dark, 'Milk' | Coconut, almond | Variety of flavors (e.g., Quinoa Crunch) | Very Good (Fair Trade, organic) | Fair Trade, Organic | Major supermarkets, online |
| Lindt (Vegan line) | 'Milk' | Oat milk | Traditional chocolate flavor | Good | N/A | Major supermarkets, online |
| Hu Kitchen | Dark, Filled | Coconut sugar, nut butter | Paleo, no refined sugar, soy-free | Very Good (Ethically sourced) | Fair Trade, Organic | Health food stores, online |
| Moo Free | 'Milk', White | Rice, cocoa butter | Allergy-friendly, creamy texture | Good | N/A | Major supermarkets, online |
| Tony's Chocolonely | Dark, 'Milk' | Oat milk, hazelnut paste | Slave-free, chunky bars | Excellent (100% slave-free mission) | Fairtrade | Major supermarkets, online |
How to Choose the Right Vegan Chocolate for You
When exploring the world of vegan chocolate, several factors can influence your choice beyond just the "what brand is vegan chocolate" question.
Consider the Taste Profile
- For dark chocolate purists: Look for high cocoa percentage options, like those from Alter Eco or Taza. A higher percentage typically means a richer, more complex cocoa flavor with less sweetness. Many dark chocolate options from mainstream brands like Lindt (70% or higher) are also accidentally vegan, but always check the ingredients list.
- For classic "milk" chocolate lovers: Brands like Vego and Lindt's OatMilk line are excellent choices. They use plant-based milks and hazelnut pastes to replicate the smooth, creamy texture and sweet taste of traditional milk chocolate, with Vego's hazelnut bar being a popular favorite.
- For bakers and chefs: Products like Enjoy Life's ricemilk chocolate chips or Pascha's white baking chips are specifically designed for melting and baking. They ensure your homemade vegan treats have the right texture and flavor. For a more intense flavor, Pascha also offers 100% cacao chips.
Prioritize Ethical Sourcing
For many vegans, ethical sourcing is a primary concern. Beyond the animal welfare aspects of being dairy-free, ethical sourcing addresses issues of fair wages and labor practices within the cocoa industry. Brands like Tony's Chocolonely have built their entire mission around creating 100% slave-free chocolate, using Fairtrade-certified cocoa. Brands like Beyond Good and Taza also work directly with farmers to ensure fair and ethical treatment. To make an informed choice, consider brands that are transparent about their sourcing and carry certifications like Fairtrade or Direct Trade.
Be Mindful of Allergens
For those with specific allergies, always check the packaging carefully. While a brand might be vegan, it may still be produced in a facility that handles dairy or nuts, leading to cross-contamination. Brands like Enjoy Life and Moo Free specialize in allergy-friendly products, often produced in dedicated free-from facilities, which adds an extra layer of safety.
Conclusion
The selection of vegan chocolate brands has never been better, offering a diverse range of flavors and styles to satisfy any craving. From innovative dairy-free milk chocolate alternatives by brands like Vego and Lindt to ethically sourced dark chocolate from Tony's Chocolonely and Hu Kitchen, consumers have many high-quality options. By considering factors like flavor, ethical practices, and potential allergens, you can confidently choose the perfect vegan chocolate to enjoy. For further exploration, check out the in-depth guides from reliable vegan food resources.(https://vegnews.com/guides/vegan-chocolate-guide)
FAQs
What brand is vegan chocolate? Many brands offer vegan options, including Vego (100% vegan), Lindt (with a specific vegan line), Hu Kitchen, Alter Eco, and Tony's Chocolonely (with some vegan flavors).
Is dark chocolate always vegan? No, while many dark chocolates are accidentally vegan, some may still contain milk fat or other dairy derivatives. Always check the ingredients list to be certain.
What is the best dairy substitute for vegan chocolate? Brands use a variety of substitutes, including oat milk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk, and hazelnut paste, to achieve a creamy texture without dairy. The "best" depends on personal taste and desired creaminess.
Are there any vegan white chocolate brands? Yes, several brands make vegan white chocolate. Popular options include Moo Free, LoveRaw, iChoc, and Pascha (for white baking chips).
What does "accidentally vegan" chocolate mean? This term refers to products that are not explicitly marketed as vegan but happen to contain no animal products in their ingredients. Examples include certain high-percentage dark chocolates from brands like Lindt or some Trader Joe's dark bars.
Why is ethical sourcing important for vegan chocolate? Ethical sourcing ensures that the cocoa used is harvested in ways that respect human rights and environmental sustainability, without using child or slave labor. Brands like Tony's Chocolonely focus on this mission.
What is carob, and how does it relate to vegan chocolate? Carob is a chocolate substitute made from the seed pods of the carob tree. It has a similar appearance but a different, naturally sweet and earthy flavor profile, and is often used by those who want to avoid caffeine.
