Updated October 2026.
Dark chocolate is chocolate made mostly from cocoa and sugar, with little or no milk, which gives it a deeper, less sweet flavour than milk chocolate.
The percentage on the label tells you how much of it comes from the cocoa bean. Our dark chocolate ranges from at least 53% cocoa solids in our dark chocolate bar to at least 60% in our couverture dark chocolate buttons.
As chocolatiers, we get asked about dark chocolate all the time.
- Is it vegan?
- Is it actually good for you?
- What does 70% mean?
Here are straight answers, with links to the research where it matters.
What is dark chocolate?
Dark chocolate is made from cocoa solids and sugar. "Cocoa solids" covers everything that comes from the cocoa bean: cocoa mass (ground cocoa beans), cocoa butter (the natural fat in the bean) and cocoa powder. Milk chocolate adds milk solids to that mix, and white chocolate is made with cocoa butter but no other cocoa solids.
You can see the difference on our own labels. Our dark chocolate contains at least 53% cocoa solids. The milk chocolate in our filled chocolates contains at least 34% cocoa solids and at least 20% milk solids.
Curious about the alternative? Read our guide to white chocolate.
What does the cocoa percentage mean?
The percentage is the share of the chocolate that comes from the cocoa bean. Most of the rest is sugar. So a 70% dark chocolate is about 70% cocoa and about 30% sugar and other ingredients, and it will taste more intense and less sweet than a 53% dark chocolate.
A higher number isn't better, just different. Lower percentages are smoother and sweeter. Higher percentages are more bitter and complex. Here's how ours compare:
| Chocolate | Cocoa solids | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couverture Dark Chocolate Buttons | At least 60% | 250g | $16.95 |
| Chocolatier Australia Dark Chocolate Bar | At least 53% | 40g | $3.50 |
Is dark chocolate vegan or dairy free?
Not always, and it's worth checking. Dark chocolate doesn't need milk, but many dark chocolates contain some, often as milk fat. Ours do: our dark chocolate buttons, Chocolatier Australia dark chocolate bar and Espresso Dark Chocolate all contain milk, so they're not vegan or dairy free.
Even dark chocolate labelled 'dairy-free' can carry a risk. If you have a milk allergy, read the ingredients and the "may contain" statement, and ask the maker if you're unsure.
If you want vegan chocolate, shop our vegan-friendly range, made with vegan mylk chocolate, such as our Vegan Honeycomb in Mylk Chocolate.
Is dark chocolate healthy?
It's a treat, not a health food, but the research is interesting. These are what most of the studies look at.
- Nutrients: per 20g serve, dark chocolate has more magnesium, iron and zinc than milk chocolate and less added sugar, but more saturated fat and caffeine. That's according to dietitians from the University of Queensland and Southern Cross University, using Food Standards Australia New Zealand data (The Conversation, 2026).
- Flavanols: cocoa contains natural compounds called flavanols, and dark chocolate has roughly five times as much as milk chocolate. But many studies used concentrated cocoa extracts or large doses, not the amount of chocolate most people eat.
- Blood pressure: a Cochrane review of 40 trials, led by University of Adelaide researchers, found flavanol-rich cocoa lowered blood pressure by an average of about 1.8 mmHg. That's a small effect; the trials were short-term, and the evidence was rated moderate quality (Ried, Fakler and Stocks, Cochrane, 2017).
- Sugar: dark chocolate isn't always low in sugar, and some contain 40% to 50%. A quick check: if sugar is listed before cocoa in the ingredients, there's more sugar than cocoa.
So enjoy dark chocolate because you love it, in sensible amounts.
Does dark chocolate contain caffeine?
Yes. Cocoa naturally contains caffeine, so both dark and milk chocolate have some. White chocolate doesn't. More answers like this are on our FAQ page.
Is dark chocolate dangerous for dogs?
Yes, and more so than milk chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs, and dark chocolate has more of it. If your dog eats any chocolate, call your vet as soon as possible (RSPCA Australia). It's worth remembering at Christmas, when there's chocolate within reach in most homes.
What is dark chocolate good for?
Eating, of course. It's also the best chocolate for cooking when you want a strong chocolate flavour, because you need less of it than milk chocolate. Couverture buttons melt smoothly, which makes them ideal for ganache, drizzling and dipping.
We use our dark chocolate buttons for the ganache in our no-bake Christmas chocolate cake and our Christmas mud cake hack.
How should you store dark chocolate?
Keep it somewhere cool and dry, ideally between 14 and 18 degrees with humidity under 70%, away from strong light and smells.
If chocolate gets too warm or damp, it can turn white or grey on the surface. That's called bloom: the fat or sugar has moved and recrystallised. It doesn't look as nice, but it's generally safe to eat. Our chocolates have a shelf life of 12 months from manufacture, and the date is printed on the pack.
Our favourite dark chocolates
Couverture Dark Chocolate Buttons, $16.95
Rich, smooth couverture dark chocolate buttons with at least 60% cocoa solids, in a 250g gift box. Good for snacking, and our go-to for cooking.
Shop the Couverture Dark Chocolate Buttons
Chocolatier Australia Dark Chocolate Bar, $3.50
A smooth 40g dark chocolate bar with intense cocoa notes and a creamy finish. An easy way to try dark chocolate if you usually reach for milk.
Shop the Chocolatier Australia Dark Chocolate Bar
Espresso Dark Chocolate, $2.20
An individual chocolate with an espresso-infused caramel filling in a dark chocolate cup. A good one for coffee lovers, or to add to a gift. Browse more single chocolates in our dark chocolate collection.
Shop the Espresso Dark Chocolate
For Christmas: Bundaberg Xmas Pudding Dark Chocolates, $13.95
Ten individually wrapped dark chocolates with a Bundaberg Xmas Pudding liqueur centre. A dark chocolate Christmas gift that's easy to share. The liqueur is rum-flavoured, and the product page lists the alcohol at no more than 0.5% by volume.
Shop the Bundaberg Xmas Pudding Dark Chocolates, or see the dark chocolate Almond Wreath.
Find your favourite
Browse our full dark chocolate collection, our vegan-friendly range, or our Christmas range.