For a mixed adult guest list, plain 70% dark chocolate is a practical starting point; Montezuma's cocoa guide describes stronger cocoa percentages as more intense, so keep high-cocoa or flavoured bars as separate choices for guests who want them. Choose individual bars if you want to hand out favours without portioning chocolate on the day, and check each product's current ingredients and precautionary allergen labelling before serving it.
For a coffee or dessert table, a plain 70% bar offers a less intense starting point than the higher-cocoa options described in Montezuma's cocoa guide. Set out stronger or flavoured chocolate separately if it fits your guests' preferences.
Individual bars can be placed at tables or handed out without breaking a larger bar during the event. Divine lists 12.5g bars in a 160-pack and 35g bars in a 30-pack; check the packaging format before deciding how to present them.
Dark chocolate and vegan-recipe wording do not settle allergen suitability. Lindt says its EXCELLENCE 70% bar is not suitable for people with a milk allergy, while Montezuma's ginger bar contains soya and carries precautionary warnings for other allergens. Check the exact pack against each guest's requirements.
Decide how the chocolate will be served, then compare cocoa intensity and the exact product's allergen information.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa intensity | Compare the stated cocoa percentage and whether the bar is plain or flavoured. Montezuma's describes its 74% and 100% options as more intense than its 70% chocolate. | I'm serving adults with different tastes, so I'd rather offer a plain 70% option before adding a stronger bar for those who prefer one. |
| Serving format | Check the weight of each bar, the number of bars in a pack and whether the packaging suits individual distribution. A larger bar needs portioning or plating for table service. | For take-home favours, I want a bar for each guest. At a coffee table, I can portion and present a larger bar myself. |
| Allergens | Read the exact ingredients and precautionary statements on the current pack. The Food Standards Agency explains that a 'may contain' statement signals possible unintended allergen presence. | I need to check what each guest can have, rather than assuming dark or vegan-recipe chocolate is suitable for a milk or nut allergy. |
| Who will receive it | Decide whether the chocolate is an optional treat for adult guests or an item intended for a child. The NHS advises that sugars should not be added to food or drinks for babies under one. | Chocolate favours are for guests, not for the baby being christened. I can make clear who the favours are intended for when setting them out. |
Montezuma's describes its higher-cocoa chocolate as more pronounced than its 70% option. Added flavours can also make a bar less suitable for guests who wanted plain chocolate.
Consider plain 70% chocolate for the main adult serving, with a clearly identified stronger or flavoured option if you know guests would welcome it.
Lindt states that its vegan-recipe EXCELLENCE 70% bar is not suitable for people with a milk allergy. A 'may contain' statement can also indicate possible unintended allergen presence, as the Food Standards Agency explains.
Check the current pack before buying and keep allergen information available when serving. If a guest needs to avoid a stated ingredient or precautionary risk, ask what product is suitable for them.
A cocoa percentage describes the chocolate, not whether it is suitable for an infant. The NHS advises against adding sugars to food or drinks for babies under one.
Plan chocolate as an optional guest treat rather than a favour intended for the baby being christened.
These ranges illustrate different bar sizes, flavours and serving formats; check the individual product rather than applying a brand-wide allergen assumption.
Divine lists plain 70% dark chocolate as a 90g bar, alongside 12.5g bars in a 160-pack and 35g bars in a 30-pack.
Lindt EXCELLENCE Dark 70% is a plain 100g bar that can be portioned for a coffee or dessert table.
Montezuma's describes 70%, 74% and 100% cocoa options, as well as flavoured dark chocolate, for hosts choosing between milder and more intense adult servings.
Hotel Chocolat lists a 70% dark slab and a wider dark-chocolate range that includes flavoured and nut-containing products.
M&S lists a 100g dark chocolate product with a minimum of 70% cocoa solids in a cooking and baking context.
These bars are options for a host-portioned coffee or dessert table. The raspberry and 85% cocoa bars can serve as separate adult choices alongside a plainer bar; check the packaging if you need individual favours.
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A plain bar to portion for an adult coffee or dessert table. The product information states a minimum of 70% cocoa solids and says it may contain almonds, hazelnuts and milk; check the current pack against guests' allergy requirements.
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A 100g bar for hosts who can portion chocolate at the table, with a stated minimum of 72% cocoa solids. It contains soya and may contain milk, nuts, peanuts and cereals containing gluten; check the current pack before serving.
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A flavoured bar to identify separately from plain chocolate on an adult table. The product information states a minimum of 70% cocoa solids and 3% freeze-dried raspberry pieces; it lists milk and says the bar may contain gluten and nuts. Check the current pack before serving.
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A higher-cocoa bar to offer separately when some adult guests prefer a more intense choice. The product information states a minimum of 85% cocoa solids and says it may contain almonds, hazelnuts, milk and other nuts; check the current pack against guests' requirements.
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A 100g bar for a separate high-cocoa adult serving, with a stated minimum of 85% cocoa solids. It contains soya and may contain cereals containing gluten, milk, nuts and peanuts; check the current pack before serving.
Yes, if you want a plain option before offering stronger flavours or cocoa percentages. Montezuma's describes its 70% chocolate as more approachable than its higher-cocoa choices, but guest preferences still vary; identify any more intense option separately.
Plan chocolate as an optional favour for guests, not as food for the baby. The NHS advises that sugars should not be added to food or drinks for babies under one.
Not necessarily: check the exact product. Lindt says its EXCELLENCE 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is not suitable for people with a milk allergy.
The Food Standards Agency explains that precautionary allergen labelling communicates that an allergen could be unintentionally present. If a guest needs to avoid that risk, do not assume the chocolate is suitable; check with the guest or their parent or carer about an appropriate option.