A Healthier Guide to Buying Chocolate

Shopping around for a sweet treat? Chocolate can make for a lovely and health-promoting gift, but you need to do some homework. While chocolate does often get a health halo, it's not straight-up health food. The quality of the ingredients and how it’s crafted makes a big difference. Here are a few no-fail treats for the healthy chocoholic in your life.

Chocolate is made from a magical mixture of elements. Components of cocoa beans are combined with sugar, flavorings and sometimes milk, to create the confection many folks go ga-ga over. Dark chocolate contains the highest percentage of cocoa and, therefore, the highest proportion of good-for-you ingredients. Cocoa contains potent antioxidants that help promote heart health and fight inflammation. Sadly the unavoidable fat and sugar that comes along for the chocolate ride can outshine the healthy attributes if you overdo the portions.

Look for dairy-free “milk” and dark chocolates from Pascha. These cocoa beans are non-GMO and directly sourced from certified farms using agrarian, social and ecologically sustainable methods.

Delicate pouches of finely crafted infused chocolate feature health-boosting ingredients like fruits, nuts and spices. Send your loved one a box of select cravable bon bons from Cacao & Cardamom.

Craving kid-friendly confections but prefer a more grown up version? Unreal makes peanut butter and almond butter cups and bite size candies coated chocolates that are organic, sustainable, fair trade and non-GMO; some varieties are vegan as well.

Iceland isn’t typically known for its chocolate but Omnom might change all that. Meticulously sourced cocoa beans and artfully designed packing are just the beginning of the intrigue. These bars feature healthful add-ins like nuts, raisins and sea salt.

Just as delicious as it is fun to say, Fritz Knipschildt’s creations took him from a small Connecticut apartment kitchen to an international chocolate sensation. From bonbons to truffles to sauces, Knipschildt translates to chocolate heaven.

Vosges takes truffles to a whole other level. This collection of truffles features antioxidant powerhouse ingredients including matcha, wasabi, curry, olive oil, pumpkin seeds and edible flowers, plus outrageous flavor combos with absinthe, lemon zest and vanilla powder. Is your mouth watering yet?