What Does Cocoa Percentage Really Mean?

With Halloween just around the corner, you’ve likely seen grocery store aisles packed with chocolate treats. While it’s easy to grab a handful of traditional candy bars, have you ever stopped to think about what’s actually inside them?

If you’re a Wild Mountain Chocolate fan, chances are you care about cacao percentage—one of the most important indicators of chocolate quality. But what does that number really mean? And how does it affect taste, nutrition, and overall enjoyment?

Let’s break it down so you can make more informed (and delicious) choices this season!

Understanding Cocoa Percentage in Chocolate

Cocoa percentage simply refers to how much of a chocolate bar is made from actual cacao beans. This includes:

✔ Cocoa solids (the part responsible for chocolate’s deep flavor and antioxidants)

✔ Cocoa butter (the natural fat that gives chocolate its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture)

What’s not included in the percentage? Any added ingredients like sugar, milk, vanilla, or emulsifiers.

For example:

• A 70% dark chocolate bar contains 70% cacao ingredients (cocoa solids + cocoa butter) and 30% other ingredients, usually sugar.
• A 56% cacao chocolate (like our Wild Mountain Caffe Mocha bar) has slightly more added sugar than a 70% bar but still contains a high percentage of cacao.
• Milk chocolate, which rarely lists its cacao content, typically contains only 10% cacao and a high amount of sugar and dairy.

The higher the cacao percentage, the purer and more intense the chocolate flavour.

Why Cocoa Percentage Matters

1. It’s a Key Indicator of Quality

Unlike labels like “semisweet” or “bittersweet,” cacao percentage gives you a real sense of what’s inside your chocolate. The more cacao, the less space for fillers, excessive sugar, or artificial ingredients.

We use only organic cane sugar in our bars, with no unnecessary additives, ensuring a pure chocolate experience.

2. Dark Chocolate = More Health Benefits

Cacao is packed with flavonoids, natural compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies suggest that high-cacao chocolate may:

✔ Support heart health by improving blood circulation

✔ Boost brain function by enhancing cognitive performance

✔ Improve mood by increasing serotonin and endorphins

The higher the cacao percentage, the more flavonoids and less sugar you’re consuming—a win-win for your health.

3. Less Sugar, More Chocolate

The higher the cacao content, the lower the sugar content.

• 70% cacao chocolate = around 30% sugar
• 85% cacao chocolate = about 15% sugar
• 100% cacao chocolate (baking chocolate) = 0% sugar
  

This is why dark chocolate often tastes less sweet and more bitter—it’s closer to the natural cacao bean.

A Guide to Cacao Percentages

If you’re shopping for chocolate this Halloween, here’s a quick guide to different cacao percentages:

Milk Chocolate (10–30% cacao)

✔ Smooth, sweet, and creamy

✔ High in sugar and milk solids

✔ Rarely lists cacao content

Semisweet Chocolate (35–55% cacao)

✔ Mild balance of cacao and sweetness

✔ Often used in baking and chocolate chips

Dark Chocolate (60–75% cacao)

✔ A rich balance of bitterness and natural sweetness

✔ More cacao, less sugar

✔ A great choice for those looking to enjoy chocolate’s health benefits

Bittersweet Chocolate (80%+ cacao)

✔ Deep, bold chocolate flavor

✔ Low in sugar

✔ Intense bitterness that chocolate lovers appreciate

100% Cacao (Baker’s Chocolate)

✔ Pure cocoa solids and cocoa butter—no sugar

✔ Bitter and rich, typically used for baking rather than snacking

Is Higher Cacao Percentage Always Better?

Not necessarily! Taste is personal, and chocolate, like wine, is all about preference and experience. Some people enjoy the bold, intense notes of 85% or higher cacao, while others prefer the balanced richness of 70% dark chocolate.

For those new to dark chocolate, starting with a 55–70% cacao bar (like our award-winning Mint, Chai Latte or Caffe Mocha) is a great way to ease into the world of high-quality chocolate.

And for kids? While they may start off preferring sweeter milk chocolate, introducing them to dark chocolate at a young age helps them develop a taste for richer, less sugary options over time.

Make a Better Halloween Choice This Year!

Instead of reaching for mass-produced, low-cacao candy bars this Halloween, why not introduce your trick-or-treaters to a better, healthier alternative?

High-quality dark chocolate—like any of our flavours—is a delicious and rewarding option that highlights the real taste of cacao, without all the unnecessary fillers.

This year, give your ghosts and goblins a treat that’s both indulgent and wholesome—they just might come back for more!

FAQs

1. What’s the best percentage of cacao for health benefits?

The higher, the better! 70% cacao or higher provides the most flavonoids and antioxidants while keeping sugar levels lower.

2. Does high cacao percentage mean better chocolate?

Not always—it depends on personal taste. Higher cacao means less sugar, but the quality of the cacao and how it’s processed also impact flavor.

3. Why doesn’t milk chocolate list its cacao percentage?

Most mass-produced milk chocolates contain so little cacao (10-20%) that it’s not a selling point. Instead, they emphasize their sweetness and creaminess.

4. How do I transition to eating darker chocolate?

Start with 55–70% cacao and gradually work your way up to higher percentages as your palate adjusts.

5. Is Wild Mountain Chocolate good for Halloween treats?

Absolutely! Our bean-to-bar, high-cacao chocolates are a healthier, more flavorful alternative to standard candy bars.