Hosts with a mixed guest list
A labelled 70% cocoa bar gives guests a clear indication of what is being served. A second dark bar offers a different choice without assuming everyone prefers the same flavour.
Who is this choice for?
Hosts looking for a stated cocoa level
Look for a cocoa-solids percentage on the exact product. Lindt Excellence Dark 70% and Green & Black's Organic 70% are percentage-labelled examples described by Lindt Shop UK and Tesco respectively.
Hosts serving guests with allergies
Check the ingredients and precautionary allergen statement on every pack. Lindt says its Excellence Dark 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is manufactured in a facility using milk and is not suitable for someone with a milk allergy.
What should you check before buying?
Choose the cocoa level and flavour options first, then check pack sizes and the exact packs' allergen information against your guest list.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa level | Read the cocoa-solids percentage on the exact bar. The Lindt Excellence Dark 70% and Green & Black's Organic 70% examples are labelled 70%; the word 'dark' alone does not give you a percentage. | I want guests to be able to identify a bar with a stated cocoa level, rather than judge its cocoa content from the wrapper's description. |
| Flavour choice | Decide whether to serve one plain dark bar or add another flavour or format. Check inclusions on flavoured bars as well as the cocoa percentage. | If guests have different tastes, I'd like to offer a choice instead of making one flavoured bar the only option. |
| Quantity | Compare pack weights with the amount you plan to serve. The Lindt 70% example is 100g and the Green & Black's Organic 70% example listed by Tesco is 90g. | I need to plan how many bars to put out without assuming that one pack covers the whole group. |
| Allergens | Read each exact pack's ingredients and allergen statement before serving. Do not use 'vegan' or 'dark' as a substitute for an allergy check. | Where a guest has an allergy, I need to know whether the particular bar is suitable for them, including any precautionary allergen statement. |
What can go wrong when choosing bars?
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Assuming every dark bar states a high cocoa level
'Dark' does not specify a cocoa-solids percentage. Lindt Shop UK and Tesco state 70% for the examples above, while Cadbury UK's cited Bournville Classic page does not give a percentage.
If a stated cocoa level matters for your party, choose an exact bar whose label declares it.
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Reading a vegan claim as allergy clearance
A recipe description does not settle possible manufacturing cross-contact. Lindt says its Excellence Dark 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is not suitable for people with a milk allergy.
Check the exact pack and the guest's allergy requirements before serving; do not rely on the recipe claim alone.
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Making one distinctive flavour the only choice
A bar with fruit or nuts introduces an additional flavour choice and may have different allergen considerations from a plain bar.
For a mixed group, consider serving a plain, percentage-labelled bar alongside any flavoured option, and keep the packs available for guests to check.
Brand references for dark bars
Lindt
Lindt Shop UK lists Excellence Dark 70% as a 100g bar containing at least 70% cocoa solids.
- The product page states the cocoa level and provides ingredient and allergen information.
- Lindt says this vegan-recipe bar is manufactured in a facility using milk, is not suitable for people with a milk allergy and may contain nuts, milk, soya and sesame.
Green & Black's
Tesco lists Green & Black's Organic 70% Dark Chocolate as a 90g bar with 70% cocoa solids.
- The listed product gives a stated cocoa level and pack weight for planning a plain dark-chocolate option.
- Use the 90g pack weight when working out quantities; do not assume one bar will cover the guest list.
Cadbury
Cadbury UK describes its Bournville Classic 100g bar as smooth dark chocolate; a 180g Bournville bar is also listed on Joybuy.
- The two stated pack sizes give hosts different quantities to consider.
- Cadbury UK's cited 100g product page does not state a cocoa-solids percentage, so use a percentage-labelled bar if that declaration is essential.
Dark chocolate bars on Joybuy
These bars include percentage-labelled dark chocolate, a larger Bournville bar and flavoured options. Compare their stated pack details with the choices you want to offer, then check each exact pack before serving.
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Morrisons The Best 72% Cocoa Dominican Republic Dark Chocolate 100g
A 100g bar labelled 72% cocoa for a party choice with a stated cocoa level. Check the exact pack's allergen information before serving.
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Green & Black's Dark Chocolate 70% 90g
A 90g dark bar with a stated 70% cocoa level. Account for the pack weight when planning portions, and check the exact pack before serving guests with allergies.
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Divine Chocolate 70% Dark Chocolate with Raspberries 90g
A 90g raspberry dark bar labelled 70%, to consider as a flavoured choice alongside a plain bar. Its vegan-friendly description conflicts with a milk declaration in the product information: do not treat it as suitable for a guest with a milk allergy, and check the exact pack before serving.
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Cadbury Bournville Dark Chocolate 180g
A 180g dark bar to consider when planning a second option or a different pack quantity. If your party choice requires a stated 70% cocoa level, select a bar labelled accordingly; check this pack's allergens before serving.
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Tony's Chocolonely Dark Chocolate with Almonds & Sea Salt 180g
A 180g dark bar with almonds and sea salt, to consider as a flavoured option rather than the only bar for a mixed group. It contains almonds; check the exact pack's full allergen statement before serving.
Questions about serving dark chocolate
Does 'dark' tell me a bar's cocoa level or HFSS status?
No. Check the exact product for a stated cocoa-solids percentage; the word 'dark' does not give one or establish an HFSS classification. England's rules on promoting certain foods depend on defined product and business conditions, not the word used to describe a chocolate bar.
Can a guest with a milk allergy eat vegan-recipe dark chocolate?
Do not assume so. Lindt says its Excellence Dark 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is manufactured in a facility using milk and is not suitable for people with a milk allergy. Check the exact pack and the guest's allergy requirements before serving any bar.
Do England's school-food standards apply to a private New Year's Eve party?
No. The Department for Education's September 2026 guidance describes the current standards as legal requirements for state-funded schools in England, applying to food and drink provided to pupils on school premises. Those school provisions do not govern a private party.