What makes a good chocolate?

The essential things to have in a quality chocolate are cocoa solids and cocoa butter. The intense and deeper taste of the chocolate depends on amount or content of the cocoa solids. Checking the content of cocoa solids in the wrapping also helps determine the taste of the chocolate. 70% or more give a stronger and distinct chocolate flavor while 50% has less chocolate taste.

On the other hand, cocoa butter which is listed in the wrapping will also help you pick the quality of the chocolate. Chocolates that are softer and melts easily contains more cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is fairly expensive though, due to the need for it to mix with cosmetics. Vegetable oils can be a good substitute for cocoa butter, thus the price of the chocolate is more affordable, however doesn't leave a rich flavor. Generally, distinguishing the amount of cocoa butter in the chocolate could be difficult sometimes, because mostly are not listed on the packaging, however if you can calculate how much is present by its position on the list. Inferior chocolates have more levels of vegetable oil than cocoa butter.

Another way of identifying a good chocolate is by its size. The finer chocolates are the thinner and smaller pieces. The texture of the chocolate when you put them on your tongue is another way to tell that it is of good quality. The reason behind this is that it takes quite a while to conch and stir to bring good and taste of the chocolate. Expensive chocolates are very fine and superior in flavor.

By knowing these tips, you don't have to necessarily spend a chunk of money to get an intensive flavor. If you know what you want and what you're looking for, you can still spend a little to get the best.