If you want some health with your sweet treat, look for the right information on the packaging
When it comes to finding the best dark chocolate, the wrapper is your
Rosetta Stone. First, scan the front for the percentage of cacao, an
indicator of antioxidant flavonols. As little as a third of an ounce a
day of 70 percent cacao chocolate can improve heart health, Portuguese
research reveals. Next, read the ingredients. Avoid dark chocolate that specifies "alkalinization" (a.k.a. dutch processing), which strips out flavonols. What you do want to see is sugar and vanilla to balance out the bitterness of the cacao, and cocoa butter to hit that sweet spot of creaminess.
Looking for a quick fix right now? We devoured dozens of different brands to come up with our dark chocolate taste test winners below. (Craving more than just dark chocolate? Here are our picks for the 21 Best Chocolate Bars for Men.)