Fair Trade Dark Chocolate

Fair Trade Dark Chocolate is made from roasted cacao beans, sugar, and often cocoa butter and vanilla. The beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and ground into a paste called chocolate liquor. This liquor is then mixed with other ingredients and processed to create the final dark chocolate product. Fair Trade certification means the cocoa beans were sourced from farmers who received fair prices for their crops.

Manufacturers use dark chocolate for its rich, complex flavor and color. It is a popular ingredient in confectionery, baked goods, and desserts. You can find it in candy bars, cookies, cakes, ice cream, and as a coating for fruits and nuts.

Dark chocolate contains flavanols, which are antioxidants. Some studies suggest these compounds may have benefits for heart health, but more research is needed. The FDA has not set specific health claims for dark chocolate consumption. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated cocoa and cocoa products, but did not set specific intake limits. Evidence on the health effects of dark chocolate is mixed, with some studies showing benefits and others showing no significant impact.