Moi received three complimentary boxes of ChocZero chocolates. The boxes for the samples moi received were understated and elegant. The samples were 50% cocoa dark chocolate, 70% cocoa dark chocolate, and milk chocolate. ChocZero is a brand of Snapfit located in Fullerton California. Olive Nation defines the qualities of great chocolate in The Qualities of Good and Great Chocolate:
The bottom line for defining a great chocolate is the amount of cocoa solids present. The percentage should be a minimum of over 45 percent for dark chocolate and 30 percent for milk chocolate. Truly great chocolates have cocoa solids over 70 percent. Many of the finest chocolates also have their origins as coming from one geographical location which can change the taste of the chocolate dramatically.
One test to find out whether or not the chocolate you have purchased is to let a bit sit in your mouth without chewing or masticating the piece. Quality chocolate will melt in your mouth. Why? The content of the cocoa butter is what makes the chocolate melt in your mouth and provides its distinctive texture and flavor. Today most mainstream chocolate manufacturers have chosen to reduce the amount of cocoa butter in their products replacing this all-important ingredient with cheaper and nastier fats. This of course allows the manufacturers to offer their products at a much lower price. So what do you look for on the label? Does the label on the bar or box clearly indicate that it is truly chocolate?
Of course you should carefully read the ingredients. Great chocolate should contain no more than about 6 ingredients and contain the percentage of cocoa solids as outlined above…. https://www.olivenation.com/the-qualities-of-good-and-great-chocolate/
The ChocZero site describes the product.
According to ChocZero, the ingredients are:
ChocZero is an all-natural, premium, artisan-style chocolate made with no added
sugar or sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, erythritol, xylitol). Sugar, commonly used
in chocolate confections, was replaced with a healthy, natural, soluble vegetable fiber
and naturally sweetened with monk fruit extract.
ChocZero comes in three delectable varieties to suit individual taste preferences:
50% Dark Chocolate, 70% Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate.
Each 10-gram chocolate square is individually foil-wrapped.ChocZero – Box of 6
$4.99
Free Shipping on Orders $35 and Over
Variants:
70% Dark 50% Dark Milk Chocolate
Sugar is not an ingredient.
Kerry Torrens, nutritional therapist wrote in The truth about sugar:
The instant ‘lift’ we get from sugar is one of the reasons we turn to it at times of celebration or when we crave comfort or reward. However, even those of us without a sweet tooth may be eating more than we realise because so many everyday processed foods, from cereals and bread to pasta sauce and soups contain sugar…. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/truth-about-sugar
There are many medical reasons for reducing sugar in one’s diet. The issue for many reduced or sugar free products is can palates educated to the taste of sugar adapt to a different option?
Elaine Magee, MPH, RD wrote about sugar free chocolate in Taste Test: Sugar-Free Chocolate: Can sugar-free chocolate compare to the real thing?
To sweeten “sugar-free” chocolate, most companies use maltitol, a sugar alcohol that is 90% as sweet as sugar (“sugar alcohol” is a somewhat misleading term, as these are neither sugar nor alcohol). This type of sugar replacer (a group that also includes sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and isomalt) is particularly helpful to people with diabetes, because only a portion of it is digested and absorbed. And the part that is absorbed through the intestinal tract is absorbed slowly, so there’s a relatively little rise in blood sugar.
Kristen McNutt, PhD, JD, nutrition communications consultant to isomalt maker Palatinit, says sugar alcohols give the taste of sugar with only half the calories. Further, she says, they don’t cause cavities, and don’t cause your blood glucose to go up as high as it would if you ate sugar…
‘Sugar-Free’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Fat-Free’
Its sweetness, however, is only one reason the taste of chocolate appeals to so many of us. The other is cocoa butter. And because cocoa butter is rich in saturated fat, so are many of these sugar-free products….
Side Effects
Here’s another reason to make sure you enjoy these sweets in moderation: In fine print on most packages of sugar-free chocolate is a warning: “Excessive consumption may cause a laxative effect.”
This is thanks to the part of the sugar alcohol that isn’t absorbed. It goes through the intestinal tract and gets digested by bacteria of the gut. Discomfort ranging from gas to diarrhea can result — depending on how much of the chocolate you consume and your individual intestinal tract…. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/taste-test-sugar-free-chocolate#1
ChocZero is a good option for those who want sugar free chocolate.
The 50% cocoa ChocZero was not luscious enough for moi’s palate given that the taste of sugar was missing. The chocolate was good, but it just did not have the richer taste of the 70% cocoa recipe. The milk chocolate was in the middle.
Dr. Wilda gives a thumbs up to the 70% cocoa receipe.
Resources:
ChocZero offers sugar-free chocolate that meets demand for natural, clean labels
The Dieter’s (and Diabetic Person’s) Guide to Buying Chocolate http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/the-dieters-and-diabetic-persons-guide-to-buying-chocolate
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