Lindt launches new 100 per cent cocoa dark chocolate bar in the UK

The new EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar (50g) contains no added sugar and is described as "completely unsweetened".

Master chocolatier at Lindt & Sprüngli UK, Miquetta de Castro, said the new bar offered a "richer and bolder" taste and could also be used in cooking and baking.

Will you be trying Lindt's new EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar? (Image: Jam Press/Lindt)

He said: "As consumers continue to seek out premium dark chocolate, we’re excited to introduce our EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar to the UK market for the first time.

"Uniting high-quality cocoa with our knowledge in dark chocolate craftsmanship, this bar delivers a richer and bolder chocolate taste, ideal for a treat or even for use in cooking and baking at home”

The new bar sits above Lindt’s existing dark chocolate options, which include 70%, 78%, 85%, 90%, and 99% cocoa varieties.

Where to buy Lindt's new EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar

Lindt's EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar is currently available in Sainsbury’s stores nationwide, as well as Lindt shops and the brand’s website.

The new chocolate bar has a recommended retail price of £3.50.

Lindt said the launch was in response to growing demand for dark chocolate and lower-sugar products.

The company noted that Google searches for dark chocolate have surpassed those for milk chocolate in the past year.

Research from YouGov also found that 70% of Brits believe dark chocolate is the healthier option.

Lindt warns consumers 'not to switch' to 100% cocoa chocolate immediately

Lindt has advised consumers not to switch to 100% cocoa chocolate immediately.

Instead, it recommends gradually increasing the cocoa content in their chocolate over two to four weeks.

The launch follows another recent 100% chocolate milestone in the UK.

Earlier this month, the University of Reading revealed a chocolate bar made entirely from British ingredients, including cocoa grown in Berkshire.

The Reading 100 Chocolate Bar was created to celebrate the university’s centenary.

Maha Khan, a food security master’s student, harvested, fermented, and processed the cocoa at the university’s International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, producing the chocolate without leaving Reading.

It is believed to be the first fully British-made chocolate bar since 1932.

At that time, Rowntree’s presented a bar made with UK-grown cocoa to six-year-old Princess Elizabeth, who would later become Queen Elizabeth II.

Despite both bars carrying the "100 per cent" label, they represent different achievements.

Lindt’s bar refers to 100% cocoa content, while the Reading bar was 100% British in origin.

Lindt also confirmed that all the cocoa it uses is now Rainforest Alliance Certified.

Will you be trying Lindt's new EXCELLENCE 100% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.