The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Dark chocolate has long carried a reputation as a healthier indulgence, and for good reason. Compared to milk chocolate, dark varieties are richer in fibre, iron, magnesium, and polyphenols—plant compounds associated with heart health and reduced inflammation. While it is not a substitute for a balanced diet, choosing a bar with at least 70 per cent cocoa can offer nutritional advantages.
The rich, fruity, and earthy flavours of dark chocolate can be an acquired taste. A slightly bitter square at 70 per cent may become genuinely enjoyable over time, and many find themselves progressing to 85 or even 90 per cent bars. However, this habit does not come cheap. With many branded bars exceeding the £3 mark, dark chocolate can quietly inflate your weekly food shop. Premium options often promise superior sourcing and flavour profiles, but are they always worth the extra cost?
In the interest of both taste and price, I set out to find the best supermarket dark chocolate, testing options from 55 per cent to 85 per cent cocoa content.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: Asda 73% Madagascan dark chocolate
- Best premium: M&S collection Peruvian dark chocolate
- Best budget: Aldi Moser Roth dark 85% cocoa chocolate
- Best crowd-pleasing 85%: Co-op irresistible fairtrade dark chocolate 85%
- Best low cocoa percentage: M&S choc marks dark chocolate bar
- Best dark chocolate with sea salt: Asda Ecuadorian dark chocolate 60% with sea salt
- Best dark chocolate orange flavour: Co-op irresistible fairtrade single origin dark 57% orange
- Best for baking: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Belgian dark 85% cocoa cooking chocolate
1. Asda 73% Madagascan Dark Chocolate
Best supermarket dark chocolate overall
Asda's Madagascan dark chocolate is the best supermarket option because it is approachable, has a high cocoa percentage, and is very enjoyable. While not especially rich, it is buttery and light, balancing the high cocoa solids with a gentle sweetness that keeps it easy to eat. The Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa mass and cocoa butter are sourced from farms adhering to strict environmental and social standards. At £2.28 for a 100g bar, it offers great value for money.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 73% | Price per 100g: £2.28
2. M&S Collection Peruvian Dark Chocolate
Best premium dark chocolate
The M&S Collection dark chocolate is one to savour. It has a satisfying snap and tastes delicious. Made from single-origin 85 per cent cocoa, it is aromatic with deep berry flavour and a smooth palate. Hailing from a family-owned chocolatier near Milan, at £3 you are paying for quality and supporting Fairtrade practices.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 85% | Price per 100g: £3
3. Aldi Moser Roth Dark 85% Cocoa Chocolate
Best budget dark chocolate
At a time when chocolate is feeling inflation, Aldi's 85 per cent dark chocolate costs less than £2.50 for 125g, making it a hit even before tasting. It is glossy, rich, and overly tasty, though it does not feel super high quality. A downside is that every two squares are individually wrapped, adding unnecessary packaging.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 85% | Price per 100g: £1.90
4. Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Dark Chocolate 85%
Best crowd-pleasing 85% dark chocolate
Co-op's dark chocolate is moreish, made from single-origin cocoa and Fairtrade ingredients. While described as very intense, it is milder than other 85 per cent bars, with bitterness balanced by added flavouring and sugar. The texture is smooth and satisfying.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 85% | Price per 100g: £2.95
5. M&S Choc Marks Dark Chocolate Bar
Best low cocoa percentage dark chocolate
Wrapped in a punchy red sleeve, the M&S choc marks dark chocolate bar is hard to miss. Reminiscent of Tony's Chocolonely design, it is split into uneven chunks. At 55 per cent cocoa, it is an easy-eating yet rich choice, slightly sweeter than most. A crowd-pleasing bar that makes up for its £3.50 price tag in chocolate weight.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 55% | Price per 100g: £1.90
6. Asda Ecuadorian Dark Chocolate 60% with Sea Salt
Best dark chocolate with sea salt
Biting into this 60 per cent bar, you get instant sweetness rounded by the addition of sea salt, which pairs perfectly with cocoa. While I would have liked a bigger salty hit, it is a light dark chocolate that is very easy to devour.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 60% | Price per 100g: £2.28
7. Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade Single Origin Dark 57% Orange
Best dark chocolate orange flavour
Co-op's dark chocolate orange bar is a grown-up take on the classic flavour. Infused with orange oil and candied orange peel, it has a slightly soft chew. The dark chocolate is rich with a touch of sweetness, steering clear of sickly notes. The price is its downside at £2.95 for 100g.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 57% | Price per 100g: £2.95
8. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Belgian Dark 85% Cocoa Cooking Chocolate
Best for baking
This bar from Sainsbury's works excellently in baking. It is quite sweet for an 85 per cent bar and creamy, but not as rich as others. Used in chocolate chip cookies, it provided a punch of richness and fared well under heat.
Key specifications: Cocoa percentage: 85% | Price per 100g: £2.40
What is the best supermarket dark chocolate?
As someone who enjoys rich dark chocolate with high cocoa percentage, the M&S Collection Peruvian and Co-op bars stood out for balancing bitterness well. However, not everyone enjoys high cocoa taste, so the best overall is Asda's Madagascan dark chocolate for its easy enjoyment and well-rounded flavour.
How I tested and selected
I focused on quality, flavour, sustainability, and value for money. Quality involved high-quality ingredients and feel. Flavour considered balanced taste and texture, noting where added vanilla or flavourings worked well. Sustainability and Fairtrade credentials scored extra points. Value for money weighed quality against cost, calculating price per 100g.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews: Alice Reynolds is a writer and production journalist at IndyBest. A self-confessed foodie, she has covered food and drink launches and reviews. Sustainability is one of her interests, so she noted how the chocolate was sourced. The wider IndyBest team hand-pick the best of the best, testing everything in real-life settings.
