Chocolate Makers Are Cutting Back on This Ingredient

The Trend: Chocolate lovers, take note — it’s getting harder to find reasonably priced treats that are both delicious and genuinely good for you. Cocoa, which gives dark chocolate its unmistakable flavor and antioxidant and heart-healthy properties, is becoming more expensive as climate change affects global supply. 

What People Are Saying: Many chocolate makers are quietly shrinking bars as they feel the squeeze. Others are testing recipes that use less cocoa and say the treats taste just as good, if not better. However, that also means they contain fewer antioxidants and flavonoids.

What to Know: If you’re trying to offset the drawbacks of your chocolate habit with some of the health benefits, take a quick look at the label. Go for bars with a higher cocoa percentage and simple ingredients (we like these). And those made with fair-trade or single-origin cacao tend to contain more of the good stuff that research ties to better blood flow and lower inflammation.

Bottom Line: Chocolate rich in cocoa can still be a small, satisfying treat for both your heart and your taste buds. And if you savor it in moderation, it won’t hit your wallet too hard, either.