Contains Less Than 2%: Chocolate Liquor

Chocolate liquor is not an alcoholic beverage. It is the pure, unsweetened paste made from roasted cacao beans that have been ground into a liquid. It contains both cocoa solids and cocoa butter, the natural fat from the cacao bean.

Manufacturers use chocolate liquor as the base ingredient for most chocolate products, including solid chocolate bars, baking chocolate, and as a flavoring in baked goods, ice cream, and candies. It provides the characteristic rich chocolate flavor and aroma.

Chocolate liquor is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. It is a source of flavanols, which are plant compounds that may have antioxidant properties. JECFA has evaluated cocoa and cocoa products. Evidence on the health effects of flavanols from chocolate is mixed, with some studies suggesting potential benefits for heart health and cognitive function, while others show no significant effect.