The Ultimate Guide to Dark Chocolate Bits: Best Value and Flavor

When it comes to dark chocolate bits or chips, picking the best brand can be a matter of personal preference and budget. This guide will help you make an informed decision on the top chocolate brands that offer both the best taste and the best value for your money.

Understanding Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is known for its rich flavor, which largely depends on the percentage of cocoa solids. For many, a 70% cocoa content is considered just right, delivering that perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. This makes it ideal for both baking and snacking.

Commercial vs Baking Chocolate

When it comes to purchasing chocolate, there's a significant difference between baking chocolate and chocolate for covering. Baking chocolate is enriched with various ingredients to enhance its stability and performance in recipes, while covering chocolate is designed for creating a shiny, smooth finish on confections like candies or cakes.

The most economical way to obtain commercial-grade chocolate is from solid blocks, which can weigh up to 50 pounds or less. These blocks are fantastic for melting and use in baking because they offer a better price per pound. Before making your purchase, it's essential to ask about the percentage of cocoa solids and all available weights.

Cheaper Alternatives vs Premium Brands

While cheaper store-brand dark chocolate bits are consistently less expensive, premium brands like Nestle and Hershey’s often offer a superior taste and texture. As a child, I grew up on Nestle’s Chocolate Bits, and the taste has stuck with me for decades.

These days, you can find dark chocolate bits in much larger quantities, with some brands offering 72-ounce bags compared to the initial 6-ounce bags. With a price point much higher for the 6-ounce bags, these larger sizes offer better value for money over time.

Recent Discoveries: Guittard, Ghirardelli, and WAIS

Recently, I've had the pleasure of tasting three different brands of dark chocolate bits: Guittard, Ghirardelli, and WAIS. These brands have made significant improvements not only in taste but also in texture. They have a softer, creamier texture that allows the flavors to spread more easily and quickly in my mouth. These improvements come at a slightly higher cost but justify the price considering the superior texture and taste.

Among these brands, Guittard and Ghirardelli are virtually identical, making their taste and texture very comparable. The WAIS brand, on the other hand, offers a slightly different flavor profile. In terms of pricing, all three brands cost a bit more than the two G’s and WAIS, but the difference is minimal.

Conclusion: A Sad Time of Year

Unfortunately, the Easter season is a time of year when we begrudgingly part ways with our favorite chocolate treats. Pancakes and chocolate can be a perfect combination, and I find that one ounce of Nestle’s dark chocolate bits can last me about five days when consumed a little at a time.

As I reflect on my dark chocolate indulgences, I often wonder what the cost would be in today's dollars for those 6-ounce bags, considering the steep prices today. Despite the nostalgia and personal preference, I still believe that Nestle's remains my favorite, although the Kirkland brand from Costco is quite satisfactory.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of the best value and taste for dark chocolate bits, it's time to try these premium brands for yourself. Whether you're baking or snacking, these chocolates will give you an unforgettable experience. Happy snacking, and may your chocolate cravings be satisfied!