For a group with mixed tastes, a plain 70–72% dark bar is a practical starting point; higher cocoa percentages tend to taste more intense and less sweet, according to M&S Food. Individually portioned bars reduce the need to break up a shared bar during play, while fruit, nibs or other additions make more sense when you know guests welcome them. Check the current pack for ingredients and allergen statements before serving.
A plain 70–72% bar gives everyone the same starting point without making a more intense, higher-cocoa bar the only choice. Ask guests what they enjoy rather than assuming one cocoa percentage suits the table.
Individual mini bars let players take a portion without repeatedly breaking and passing a communal bar. Divine lists a 70% dark 12.5 g mini-bar format, though its 160-bar case calls for a quantity check before a small gathering.
A second bar with cocoa nibs, fruit or a higher cocoa percentage gives guests something distinct to compare between rounds. Check preferences and allergen statements for each variation, not just the plain bar.
Choose a flavour profile first, then check how you will serve it and whether each guest can have the specific product.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa intensity | Compare plain 70–72% bars with higher-cocoa options. M&S Food describes higher cocoa percentages as more intense and less sweet; the percentage does not tell you whether a bar suits an allergy. | I want a recognisably dark bar that a mixed group can try, with a more intense option only if guests would welcome it. |
| Serving format | Check bar size and whether portions are individually wrapped. Divine lists 12.5 g mini bars in a 160-bar case; a standard bar needs dividing for shared serving. | Players should be able to take chocolate without stopping to break and pass a bar between turns. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current pack’s ingredients, allergen declaration and any “may contain” statement for each bar. A vegan-recipe description does not establish milk-allergy suitability: Lindt says its EXCELLENCE 70% bar is unsuitable for people with a milk allergy. | If a guest has an allergy or dietary requirement, I need to check the exact product before putting it out. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether additions suit the group. Montezuma’s Lordy Lord pairs a 70% dark base with cocoa nibs; its product information states that it contains soya and may contain milk, nuts and peanuts. | A plain bar works for general sharing; I would add a crunchy or flavoured one when I know guests want that variation. |
| Storage | Follow the pack instructions before serving. M&S instructs customers to keep its dark chocolate in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. | I want to keep unopened bars stored as directed until the game begins. |
Allergen information differs between products. Lindt says its vegan-recipe EXCELLENCE 70% bar is not suitable for people with a milk allergy, while other dark bars carry their own allergen or precautionary statements.
Ask about allergies before the gathering, read each current pack and keep the packaging available while guests are eating.
M&S Food describes higher-cocoa chocolate as more intense and less sweet. That may appeal to enthusiasts without matching every guest’s preference.
Consider a plain 70–72% bar for general sharing and add a higher-cocoa option if guests have said they would enjoy it.
Divine’s listed 12.5 g mini bars come in a 160-bar case, substantially more portions than a small one-off game night may call for.
Check the pack count against the number of guests and future occasions. If a shared bar is more suitable, divide it before play begins.
M&S instructs customers to store its dark chocolate in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Keep unopened bars stored as directed until they are needed at the table.
The brand’s UK range lists Organic Dark 70% and 85% bars.
Divine lists both a plain 70% dark bar and individually portioned 12.5 g 70% mini bars.
The EXCELLENCE range includes a 70% dark bar.
Its dark range includes higher-cocoa bars and variations with added flavours or texture.
Its listed dark-chocolate range includes 70%, 80% and 85% options, including a 70% slab selector.
Its own-brand Swiss Extra Fine Dark Chocolate is a 72% cocoa bar.
These bars offer plain 70–72% options for sharing and flavoured alternatives for groups that already enjoy fruit or rum-and-raisin chocolate. They are standard bars rather than individually portioned mini bars.
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A plain 90 g bar for dividing among guests who want a 70% dark option. The listing notes possible almond, hazelnut and milk exposure; check the current pack before serving anyone with an allergy.
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A plain 100 g bar within the 70–72% range for a shared serving. The listing states that it contains soya and may contain milk, nuts, peanuts and cereals containing gluten; check the current pack for guests with allergies.
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A 90 g fruit variation for guests who welcome raspberries alongside dark chocolate. The listing’s dietary marketing conflicts with ingredient and allergen text that lists milk: rely on the current pack, not the marketing description, when checking suitability.
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A 100 g flavoured bar to consider when guests enjoy rum and raisin. If a particular cocoa percentage matters, check the current pack before choosing it. The listing states that it contains milk and may contain nuts and wheat; check the pack for guests with allergies.
A plain 70–72% dark bar is a practical starting point, with a higher-cocoa bar as an additional choice if guests enjoy a more intense taste. M&S Food describes higher cocoa percentages as more intense and less sweet; preference still varies from person to person.
Not necessarily. Lindt states that its vegan-recipe EXCELLENCE 70% bar is made in a facility using milk and is not suitable for people with a milk allergy. Check the exact pack’s allergen declaration and precautionary statements.
The UK Food Standards Agency describes precautionary allergen labelling as a way to communicate that a regulated allergen could be unintentionally present. If a guest has an allergy, consider a relevant “may contain” statement as well as the ingredients list.
Follow the particular pack’s storage directions. M&S instructs customers to store its dark chocolate in a cool, dry place away from sunlight; its stated directions do not call for refrigeration.