Is "vegan chocolate" really vegan?

Did you know that you can enjoy this sweet treat without a hint of guilt? Introducing vegan chocolate.

Can chocolate be vegan?

That''s a question that many people have probably asked themselves. The answer is of course yes - chocolate "comes" from the cocoa tree, the bush or tree, and is therefore vegan in itself. It only becomes "non-vegan" in the process where many additives are added, including sugar and milk or milk fat. Quality chocolate, on the other hand, contains a higher proportion of cocoa, pure ingredients and absolutely no harmful additives. And the higher the cocoa content, the purer the chocolate.

Despite the fact that all sorts of additives make most chocolates "non-vegan", the good news is that some manufacturers are increasingly focusing on vegan chocolates, so there is more and more choice. For those who don''t like the slightly stronger and more bitter taste due to the high cocoa content, there are also vegan milk chocolates. In this case, animal milk is replaced by, for example, almond or rice milk.

Many benefits

There are many benefits to eating high-quality vegan chocolate. For example, research has shown that dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which have exceptional antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body against various diseases such as cancer and heart disease, while slowing down the ageing process, thus helping to feel better and look younger.

Do you love chocolate but are an animal lover and prefer not to eat it?

It probably goes without saying that they have a positive effect not only on physical well-being, but also on mental well-being, thanks to the many beneficial substances they contain, while at the same time reducing the amount of harmful ingredients.

Where to look?

If you have decided to try vegan chocolate but are not sure whether you will choose the right one, we advise you to pay attention to the appropriate labelling on the packaging when buying. There are also some vegan chocolates that do not contain animal ingredients or harmful additives, but these are not specifically labelled. It is therefore wise to read the list of ingredients when buying, and it is advisable to avoid chocolates with a long list of ingredients, as these are often nothing more than low-quality and cheap fillers.

High cocoa content

Vegan chocolate usually contains a cocoa content of more than 55%, but of course the key ingredient in pure chocolate is cocoa butter. But don''t worry, cocoa butter is, despite what it sounds like to the contrary, plant-based and therefore suitable for all animal lovers.

If you are used to milk chocolate, we recommend that only the bravest try chocolate with more than 70% cocoa for the first time, as the difference in cocoa content between milk and dark chocolate is significant. This is because a higher cocoa content goes hand in hand with a stronger and more bitter taste. For this reason, chocolate with 55 % cocoa may be the best choice for beginners, but be sure to check the ingredients before buying, as some chocolates with a high cocoa content also contain milk-derived ingredients.

Choosing vegan chocolate will not only be good for your health, but also for many people and the environment. Many producers are committed to fair trade, which prohibits child labour while promoting gender equality, safe, healthy and fair working conditions and environmental protection. The latter also ensures optimal conditions for life on Earth.

Vegan chocolate is becoming one of the most popular types of chocolate. If you''re intrigued by it, here''s a hint - like any other type of chocolate, you can use it to bake chocolate desserts, make chocolate ice cream, or make delicious homemade chocolate milk!

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