National Dark Chocolate Day

SKopp [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

February 1st is National Dark Chocolate Day in the United States.

In the U.S., dark chocolate is normally referred to by two different names, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate. Semisweet normally has more sugar in it than bittersweet chocolate. Most other countries will call it dark or plain chocolate. Both bittersweet and semisweet chocolate must, in the U.S., contain a minimum of 35% cocoa solids.

Dark chocolate is more bitter than milk chocolate, because it contains more cocoa solids and lacks the sweetness that comes from milk. Th exact amount of cocoa solids may vary, with the dark chocolate varying in bitterness as a result, and it is increasingly common - and in some countries required - for companies to print the cocoa percentages on the wrapping. Dark chocolate is popular in cooking, and the most bitter types are perhaps only suitable for cooking with; the taste is too bitter for most consumers. Like other types of chocolate, dark chocolate may also have other ingredients added to it; mint chocolates are a popular after dinner treat.