Watch out for dark chocolate quality!

dark cchocolate cacao beansCocoa prices have almost doubled in the last two years and are at a 30 year high for cocoa futures (as of December 2009). Prices have risen as demand for dark chocolate has increased and tight inventory and low cocoa farm investments merged. Many chocolate companies are rethinking strategies for sale and marketing especially of their dark chocolate products.

Will we see more vegetable oil fillers in dark chocolates? More consolidation of chocolate companies? More milk chocolate products?

No one knows for sure, but be careful buying dark chocolates for the next year or so. Read the ingredient labels carefully. If a company doesn't market their chocolate as No Fillers or No Dyes they may have non cocoa parts in their chocolates. We've heard of some chocolate companies coming out with "dark" chocolate that was nothing more than milk chocolate dyed "dark".

Prices may not go up, but sizes have already been made smaller for some larger chain chocolate manufacturers. You may also see more nuts and berries added. Some of the super-fruit additives that have proven health benefits can be a welcome addition. In parts of Europe, where there are very strict labeling laws, it is not possible for chocolates to add more than 5% vegetable oil content (that's a lot already), but in places such as the US where it is possible to add more vegetable oil and still call it chocolate, we may see more of that additive instead of cocoa butter.

Natural dark chocolate appetite is still growing worldwide and there still are several dark chocolate companies that have purchased cocoa futures for years to come.

Things to watch out for: waxes (carnuba, etc.) processed sugar (usually marked as sugar on the ingredient list, better would be something like a raw cane juice crystals or agave), vegetable oils (anything but cocoa butter), dyes (if it has a number in the ingredient it's probably a dye or additive), among others. Also be sure the chocolate is Fair Trade chocolate. Ask if it doesn't say.