Choose white chocolate if you want a sweet, creamy accompaniment to scones, jam and clotted cream; choose dark chocolate if your guests would prefer a more cocoa-led contrast. A 70% dark bar is a starting point for mixed preferences, while 72%–78% bars suit guests who already enjoy a stronger cocoa flavour. Check the current pack’s ingredients and allergen information before serving either type.
If you are serving scones, jam, clotted cream and tea, chocolate is an optional side rather than part of the traditional cream tea described by Active England Tours. Decide whether that extra should echo the sweet, creamy flavours or contrast with them.
A 70% dark bar offers one cocoa level to consider for a mixed group. The Lindt UK and M&S examples at 72%–78% give guests who prefer a stronger cocoa flavour other options.
Check each bar’s current pack before serving. The Lindt UK and M&S dark-bar information identifies different milk, nut, peanut, soya and sesame considerations, so the words “dark chocolate” do not establish allergy suitability.
Decide which flavour your guests want, then compare the exact bar’s cocoa percentage, ingredients and serving format.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| White or dark | Lindt UK describes white chocolate as containing cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar, but no cocoa solids. For a dark option, check the cocoa-solids percentage stated for the exact bar. | I’d like chocolate that goes with the sweet, creamy side of a cream tea. If I want a cocoa-led contrast instead, I’ll choose dark chocolate. |
| Cocoa level | Compare stated cocoa solids on the pack. Lindt UK lists a minimum of 70% for its EXCELLENCE 70% bar and 78% for its EXCELLENCE 78% bar; M&S lists a minimum of 72% for its Swiss Extra Fine Dark Chocolate. | For guests with mixed preferences, I’d start by considering 70%. I’d offer a higher-percentage bar when I know they enjoy a stronger dark-chocolate flavour. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients and precautionary allergen statements for the exact product. Lindt UK says its 70% bar may contain nuts, milk, soya and sesame; its 78% bar contains milk fat. | Before serving a guest with an allergy, I need to check that the particular pack is suitable for them, not assume a dark bar is free from milk or nuts. |
| Serving format | Check the bar size and whether you can portion it separately from the scones. The identified Lindt EXCELLENCE bars are 100 g each; the M&S Swiss Extra Fine Dark Chocolate bar is 125 g. | I’d rather put out a few pieces separately so each guest can decide whether to have chocolate with their cream tea. |
Lindt UK describes white chocolate as having no cocoa solids, whereas its named dark bars state minimum cocoa-solids percentages. They answer different flavour preferences.
Confirm whether your guests asked for a sweet white-chocolate accompaniment or a cocoa-led dark one before choosing a bar.
A higher stated cocoa percentage does not establish which flavour a particular group will prefer. The identified dark options range from 70% to 78% minimum cocoa solids.
Consider 70% for mixed preferences; choose a higher-percentage bar when the people eating it already enjoy that style of dark chocolate.
Ingredients and precautionary statements differ between the identified bars, and M&S advises shoppers that product information can change.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack before serving, especially when a guest has an allergy.
These examples show why the details of an individual bar matter more than a brand name alone.
Lindt UK lists EXCELLENCE dark bars at 70% and 78% minimum cocoa solids, both in 100 g formats.
M&S identifies its Swiss Extra Fine Dark Chocolate bar as a 125 g bar with at least 72% cocoa solids.
Cadbury describes Bournville Classic as a 100 g dark-chocolate bar.
These bars cover both choices for a cream tea: one white chocolate and dark chocolates labelled from 70% to 85% cocoa. The 85% options are worth considering when guests specifically want a more intense dark flavour.
No image available
A 70% cocoa-solids dark option to consider when serving guests with mixed chocolate preferences. The 90 g bar’s listing says it may contain almonds, hazelnuts and milk; check the current pack before serving anyone with an allergy.
No image available
A 100 g bar labelled with at least 72% cocoa solids for guests choosing a higher-percentage dark option. Its listing identifies soya and says it may contain gluten, milk, nuts and peanuts; check the current pack for allergy suitability.
No image available
This 90 g white-chocolate bar is the sweet, creamy route, not a high-cocoa dark alternative. Its listing identifies milk and soya and says it may contain nuts; check the current pack before serving guests with allergies.
No image available
Consider this 90 g bar when guests already prefer intense, bitter dark chocolate; its listing states at least 85% cocoa solids. It may contain almonds, hazelnuts and milk, so check the current pack before serving guests with allergies.
No image available
This 100 g bar states at least 85% cocoa solids, making it an option for guests who specifically want that cocoa level. Its listing says it may contain gluten, milk, nuts and peanuts; check the current pack before serving anyone with an allergy.
No. Lindt UK describes white chocolate as containing cocoa butter but no cocoa solids. Choose it for a sweet, creamy accompaniment; choose a dark bar with a stated cocoa-solids percentage when you want a cocoa-led option.
Consider a 70% bar if guests have mixed preferences. A 72%–78% bar is an option when they already enjoy stronger dark chocolate; consider an 85% bar only if that more intense style appeals to them. Percentage is a useful selection detail, not a guarantee that everyone will prefer the same bar.
Yes. The identified products have different ingredients and precautionary statements: Lindt UK says its 70% bar may contain nuts, milk, soya and sesame, while its 78% bar contains milk fat; M&S says its 72% bar is not suitable for people with milk, nut, peanut or soya allergies. Read the current pack for the bar you intend to serve.
Put a few pieces on a separate plate so guests can choose whether to have any. Active England Tours describes the traditional cream tea as scones with clotted cream and jam, plus tea; chocolate can remain an optional extra rather than replacing those elements.