We tested 19 chocolate blocks containing cocoa solids and labelled ‘milk’, ‘mylk’ or ‘m*lk’ (not including cooking/compound chocolate) that are available nationally in major supermarket chains. We excluded flavoured varieties.

Of the 19 products, eight were chocolates you’d more commonly find in the health food aisle of supermarkets and marketed as “sugar free”, “dairy free”, “vegan” and “organic”.

Tasting

Our experts tasted the milk chocolate samples ‘blind’ (without knowing the brands). Two sets of samples (set A and set B) were prepared and presented to each expert. The ‘A’ tasting samples had all packaging removed, and identifying features on the chocolate surface (logo, pattern, etc.) were obscured. Each sample, regardless of the presence of identifying features, was treated the same. Each sample was tasted and independently judged on three criteria: aroma, texture and flavour.

The ‘B’ tasting samples had all packaging removed, but any identifying features remained untouched. These samples were judged on one criterion only: appearance.

The regular chocolates were tasted in the same grouping, followed by the alternatives (sugar free, dairy free, etc) so results aren’t comparable between the two groups.

Scores

The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of 100% taste (35% flavour, 35% texture, 20% appearance and 10% aroma). We recommend products with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 80% or more.