# 85% Cocoa solids? Not bad. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 24, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229 "2013-02-24T06:43:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/1 "2013-02-24T06:43:06Z")
This will be heresy to some, but I’ve never been a real chocolate lover. Yes, yes ‘burn the witch’ I hear you say, and you’re probably right. I have no defense. But recently I discovered a Lindt chocolate bar that I became fairly addicted to, so much so that I started buying them from Amazon by the case - “Intense Orange.” That got me curious about some of their other varieties. Of the chocolate that I found tolerable, dark chocolate was always near the bottom of the list, but I decided to try their 85% cocoa solids bar on a lark, well partly and partly because a friend likes dark chocolate and I wanted to see if it would be a good gift. I couldn’t imagine it would be palatable, but it was Lindt after all and I do have respect for the brand so I went ahead and I have to say it was definitely interesting. The texture is nothing like milk chocolate at all, but it’s not waxy either. I’m not sure how they do it but I was impressed. Oddly enough though, there is more saturated fat than the intense orange, which I thought was odd but the orange does have bits of orange, almond and other fruit so that’s probably part of the reason. Plus to get the texture right, that other 15% probably has to be mostly cocoa butter. There’s no real point here. Just wanted to share. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/2 "2013-02-24T08:57:21Z")
cocoa butter is part of that 85%. The other 15% is mainly sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/3 "2013-02-24T10:43:14Z")
Usually 70% is as much as I will enjoy (and I do like dark chocolate), but I agree that there is an interesting aspect to the Lindt 85%. A friend at work gave me some 99% a few years ago and even taking the recommended precautions (e.g. nibbling rather than biting) I really can’t say that it even approached anything that could reasonably be regarded as enjoyment. It sucked the moisture from my mouth and didn’t replace it with anything remotely pleasant. I’m happy for those who like it, but it’s not for me. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/4 "2013-02-24T11:25:29Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > cocoa butter is part of that 85%. The other 15% is mainly sugar. I don’t think so because I wondered about that too and had to look it up. According to [wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_solids): > [@](#): > > **Cocoa solids** are the low-fat component of [chocolate](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate). When sold as an end product, it may also be called **cocoa powder** , **cocoa** , and **cacao**. In contrast, the fatty component of chocolate is [cocoa butter](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_butter). Cocoa butter is 50% to 57% of the weight of cocoa beans and gives chocolate its characteristic melting properties.[[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_solids#cite_note-1) [Cocoa liquor](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_liquor) is the melted combination of cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Cocoa solids are obtained by extraction from the [cocoa bean](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_bean). ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/5 "2013-02-24T15:35:58Z")
What’s the composition of Nutella? It tastes OK, but I doubt its much but sugar. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/6 "2013-02-24T15:42:44Z")
85% gnus? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/7 "2013-02-24T16:46:12Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > I don’t think so because I wondered about that too and had to look it up. According to [wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_solids): From [Lindt](http://www.lindtchocolatersvp.com/rsvp-products/products-faqs.php) > [@](#): > > What do chocolate percentages mean? > The percentage quantifies the amount of cocoa solids contained the chocolate. This includes cocoa liquor and additional cocoa butter. For example, 70% Excellence bar contains 70% cocoa solids, 85% Excellence bar contains 85% cocoa solids. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/8 "2013-02-24T16:50:07Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > What’s the composition of Nutella? It tastes OK, but I doubt its much but sugar. > [@deltasigma](#): > > 85% gnus? 😃 That stuff made it too bitter so it was removed from the final recipe. No gnus is good gnus. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/9 "2013-02-24T18:45:45Z")
The Lindt 85% just doesn’t do it for me. There’s too much acid to the flavor. Moser Roth 85% from ALDI is my current favorite. Hershey Extra Dark (not Special Dark) does in a pinch. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/10 "2013-02-24T19:08:31Z")
Be brave. [Try Lindt’s 90% Bar](https://www.lindtusa.com/product-exec/product_id/216/category_id/21/nm/Excellence_90_Cocoa_Bar). [Amazon sells it](http://www.amazon.com/Lindt-Excellence-Chocolate-3-5-Ounce-Packages/dp/B002RBOCZE). ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/11 "2013-02-24T19:54:25Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > No gnus is good gnus. Whoa, I hadn’t thought of Gary Gnu in years. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/12 "2013-02-24T20:14:36Z")
I buy the 85% cocoa Lindt bars all the time. They’re great. If you don’t like them at first, give them some time-- it can be an acquired taste, especially if you grew up eating Hershey’s Chocolate. Alternatively, try the 70% bars. They can be a gateway drug to the 85% stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/13 "2013-02-24T21:15:35Z")
Re: Nutella - Posted answer, turned into a first-rate hijack; see new thread. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/14 "2013-02-24T21:27:51Z")
In my opinion, dark chocolate has to be eaten in a different way to milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is fine if you put a small among on your tongue and let it melt. You can chomp through milk chocolate. If I had to devour dark chocolate in the same way I ate milk chocolate I wouldn’t like it either. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/15 "2013-02-24T22:45:56Z")
Lindt had a dark chocolate bar I liked that just had a white wrapper with no percentage. I can’t find it in stores anymore. It was weaker than the 70% bars which are a little too strong for my taste. They also had a bar of dark chocolate with hazelbuts that I can’t find. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/16 "2013-02-25T03:41:05Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Be brave. [Try Lindt’s 90% Bar](https://www.lindtusa.com/product-exec/product_id/216/category_id/21/nm/Excellence_90_Cocoa_Bar). [Amazon sells it](http://www.amazon.com/Lindt-Excellence-Chocolate-3-5-Ounce-Packages/dp/B002RBOCZE). Wow, that stuff is like a health food. One bar has 10g of protein, 50% of your daily fiber requirement, and more than 50% of iron needs (and, well, 162% of your saturated fat). Positively a health food! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/17 "2013-02-25T03:43:13Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > Lindt had a dark chocolate bar I liked that just had a white wrapper with no percentage. I can’t find it in stores anymore. It was weaker than the 70% bars which are a little too strong for my taste. They also had a bar of dark chocolate with **hazelbuts** that I can’t find. Hazelbuts made me giggle. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/18 "2013-02-25T03:45:36Z")
Hate milk chocolate. Love dark chocolate. Dove dark minis are my one vice (as a type II diabetic). The 85% intense orange bars are pretty good, though. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/19 "2013-02-26T03:39:06Z")
A friend of mine recently bought a 99% Lindt bar and we found that the best way to eat it is to take a piece no larger than, say, a quarter and just let it sit in your mouth and melt. Don’t ever actually chew it. It’s quite good that way, actually. It’s more more along the lines of enjoying scotch or a short black espresso, that kind of thing. It’s not candy at this point. If someone tries to eat it like a candy bar they’re not going to like it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229/20 "2013-02-26T20:35:25Z")
I like to eat one square of very dark chocolate with a glass of wine after dinner. My favorite is the 86% Ghirardelli. The only problem is that the taste has grown on me to the point that I’d like to go ahead and finish the rest of the bar! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/85-cocoa-solids-not-bad/651229.md?page=2)