Different Types of Chocolates

Cacao

You can buy cacao raw or roasted. Whole cacao is the whole bean, cacao nibs are crunched up pieces of the bean, and ground cacao is powdered. It is the cacao bean, minus the shell, and nothing else. Cacao is the healthiest form of chocolate, it can sometimes be quite bitter.

Chocolate Liquor

Chocolate liquor is the base of all types of chocolate, formed by grinding cacao beans into a smooth, liquid paste. It does not contain,. It naturally contains about 53% cocoa butter(Which is fat)

Unsweetened Chocolate

Chocolate liquor that is allowed to cool and harden. It has been used for baking and to make other types of chocolate. Many bakers prefer this type of chocolate for baking because they have more control over the flavor and sweetness.

Bittersweet Chocolate

Bittersweet chocolate contains at least 35% chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, and sugar in different amounts. There is no technical distinction between bittersweet and bittersweet styles of chocolate. They are often referred to as dark chocolate.

Sweet Chocolate

Sweet chocolate contains at least 15% of chocolate liquor, plus cocoa butter and sugar in varying amounts. Some people mistakenly refer to this as bittersweet.”

Ground Chocolate

Not to be confused with cocoa powder, this regular eating chocolate has been ground to make a powder. It is generally used for making drinks, and should not be used in place of unsweetened cocoa powder in recipes.

Baking Chocolate

What is up with baking chocolate? Does it have sugar added or not? ARRRRG! Well, here is the thing: although the FDA sets the guidelines for what types of chocolate can be labeled “unsweetened, bittersweet, semisweet, milk, and white,” they do not specify what can be labeled baking chocolate.