Luxury Chocolates Vs. Affordable Chocolates: Is There Really a Difference?
A detailed comparison of premium and budget-friendly chocolates.
It’s hard to justify the price of something when we know that a cheaper version exists somewhere. Most likely in the same store (or aisle). Such is the justification involved when you’re out or browsing to buy chocolates.
There’s a chocolate bar, candy, or box available at every price. How do you figure out what’s worth the price and what’s just overpriced sameness?
What differentiates a luxury chocolate from an affordable one?
How do you explain the contrast in prices for a similar product?
Let’s dive in and find out.
Quality of Ingredients in Luxury vs. Affordable Chocolates
If you ask, “why are chocolates so expensive?” when looking at price tags, know that its ingredients must be better.
The quality of ingredients in luxury vs affordable chocolates differentiates their outcome. Luxury chocolates use higher-quality cocoa beans that are rare and less easily available. Naturally, exclusivity ups their prices.
Premium chocolates also use fewer added ingredients like sugar, vegetable oils, and artificial flavors than mass-made cheap chocolates.
One taste of high-quality chocolate will show you what it feels like to experience rich, creamy decadence.
Processing and Creation
The fundamental process for high-end and inexpensive chocolate brands may be the same, but the steps, instruments, and time involved alter the results.
High-end chocolate manufacturers do not fast-track the fermentation process.
They roast their cocoa beans in small batches slowly and at lower temperatures to yield deep, complex, and natural flavors.
The refining and grinding sometimes happen manually to ensure a smooth and velvety texture.
The chocolates are conched (mixed and kneaded) continuously for 24h to 72h to let the flavor intensify and create a monotonous richness.
Luxury chocolates are tempered and molded such that their outer remains smooth and glossy without melting.
All these steps are rushed and sometimes even amiss in cheaper chocolates. Resulting in an inconsistent flavor, gritty and oily texture, and quick to melt.
From bean to bar, a good chocolate succeeds in evoking joy.
Percentage of Cocoa
Ever wonder why most expensive chocolates indicate the percentage of cocoa on their packaging? Because the more % of cocoa used, the higher the chocolate’s quality, richness, and nutritional value. (Yes, chocolate can be healthy too!)
Dark chocolate (ones with more cocoa %) is more expensive than regular, milky chocolate because of the ratio of cocoa vs other ingredients. Thus, the heftier price tag.
Dark, milk, or white - every chocolate brings its unique flavor profile for your taste buds to explore.
Are Luxury Chocolates Better Than Affordable Chocolates?
In our opinion - some are, and some are not. It all depends on your taste in chocolates.
However, the collective consensus is that cheap, unbranded, dollar-store chocolates are not the standard for chocolate. Affordable chocolate brands like Cadbury, Galaxy, Nestle (Kit-Kat), etc are where the goodness begins.