vegan milk chocolate Archives

No matter which way you look at it, from a health perspective (dark chocolate) or to delight your sweet tooth there is a reason to enjoy this age-old luscious treat to brighten any moment.

The Aztecs had a belief that cacao seeds are a gift from the god of wisdom (coincidentally dark chocolate is a superfood for your brain!), and so much value was placed upon the seeds, they were literally considered as a form of currency.

Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up on chocolate and there are plenty of chocolate brands that are vegan!

You will also find lots of traditional brands which happened to be vegan in this post that can be bought in any supermarket, drugstore or grocery.

How to Select Vegan Chocolate

Most high-quality dark chocolates are completely vegan, as it usually contains a high amount of cocoa without any dairy.

Check for ingredients such as milk, milk solids, milk fat, milk powder, lactose, whey, casein, and butterfat.

A few manufacturers have also started making “milk chocolates” from dairy substitutes such as almond milk or rice milk.

Please note, some chocolate brands may have an allergen disclaimer saying “May contain traces of milk products, etc.” or “Processed in a facility that manufactures milk products”.

This does NOT mean milk is added as an ingredient, but it means they may use the same manufacturing facilities for products that may contain allergens like milk, eggs, tree nuts, etc. For instance, a dark chocolate can be completely vegan but the same manufacturer may produce milk chocolates using the same facility.

This is really meant for people with severe allergies where even the slightest amount of cross-contamination with an allergen could cause them to react.

Six Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

The nutrition profile of dark chocolates:
- - Protein 7.8 g (13% of RDA*)
  - Calcium 73 mg ( 7% of RDA)
  - Iron 90 mg (92% of RDA)
  - Zinc 31 mg (35% of RDA)
A superfood for the brain
Packed with antioxidants
Improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure
Comes with good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) improving overall lipid profile.
Increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of diabetes

*recommended dietary allowance

How Much is Too Much?

To have optimum health benefits of dark chocolates we would recommend keeping it to a maximum of an ounce (28g) per day which may equate to 3-5 pieces of a 100g chocolate with 18 pieces.

But then it’s not a sin to break the rules, ‘occasionally’!

What is The Fair Trade Practice & Certificate?

You may see some vegan chocolate brands carry the Fair Trade Certificate. We feel it is important that you know what it means. Because by buying chocolates which have no animal products with these certificates, you respect the rights of animals, the rights of our fellow humans and support the environment.

Fair Trade Certified products were made with consideration for people and planet. It has rigorous standards that take care of social, environmental and economic aspects to foster safe & healthy working conditions, environmental protection, transparent work ethics, and empower communities for sustainable businesses.

When you’re opting for products with the fair trade label, your purchases support the lives of those communities and conserve the environment as well.

Vegan Dark Chocolate Brands

Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate – 85% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Endangered Species Panther, Natural Dark Chocolate Squares – 88% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Lindt Excellence 70%, 85% and 90% Cocoa Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Equal Exchange Organic Very Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Raaka Bourbon Cask Aged Organic Dark Chocolate Bar – 82% Cacao

Full Review Here

Other Brands:

Equal Exchange Organic Extra Dark Chocolate Mint
Newman’s Own Organics Premium Dark Chocolate – 70% Cocoa
Alter Eco Americas Organic Chocolate Bar, Dark Blackout – 85% Cocoa
Plamil – Organic Ginger Chocolate – 60% Cocoa
Trader Joe’s Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 56% Cacao
Trader Joe’s Mini Super Smooth Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 70% Cacao
Trader Joe’s Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 72% Cacao
Trader Joe’s Organic Super Dark Chocolate Bar – 73% Cacao
Raaka Smoked Chai Chocolate Bar – 66% Cacao

Vegan Milk Chocolate Brands

Moo Free Original Organic Milk Chocolate Alternative

Full Review Here

Raaka Coconut Milk Chocolate Bar

Full Review Here

Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Ricemilk Chocolate Bar

Full Review Here

Vegan White Chocolate Brands

Vivani White Nougat Crisp Chocolate Bar

Full Review Here

Vegan Chocolate Truffles

Booja Booja Dairy Free Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Truffles

Full Review Here

Vegan Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate Bar 55% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Other Varieties

Chocolove Raspberries in Dark Chocolate Bar
Chocolove Orange Peel in Dark Chocolate – 55% Cocoa
Chocolove Cherries and Almonds in Dark Chocolate – 55% Cocoa
Chocolove Extra Strong Dark Chocolate Bar – 77% Cocoa
Chocolove Ginger Crystallized in Dark Chocolate Bar

Vegan Chocolate for Easter & Halloween

Moo Free Easter Bunnycomb Egg with Buttons

Full Review Here

Moo Free Original Easter Egg

Endangered Species Bug Bites, Smooth Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate 55% Dark Minis

Full Review Here

Vegan Chocolate Chip Brands, Cacao Nibs, and Chunks

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Vegan Chocolate Chips

Other Brands:

Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate Chips
Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
Dream Dairy-Free Chocolate Dream Semi-Sweet Baking Chips
Sweetriot Cacao Nibs Covered In (70%) Dark Chocolate

Vegan Chocolate Spreads

Dark Chocolate Dreams by Peanut Butter & Co.

Other Vegan Chocolate Spreads

Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl
Rawtella – Gourmet Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Spread – Crunch

Vegan Chocolate Syrups

Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

You now know when you have your next piece of chocolate that there is hardly anything you miss as a vegan and how it can be healthy if it’s dark chocolate.

Chocolate is also an excellent way to show your non-vegan friends that a cruelty-free lifestyle is not dull by any means.

Note:

If you’re ordering vegan chocolates from online stores, make sure to request the delivery without getting it melted (delivery with insulated bags with ice packs may help).