For a Fairtrade-focused afternoon tea, check the mark and certified ingredients on the exact chocolate you plan to serve; a general responsible-sourcing claim is not the same thing. A 70% cocoa bar is a practical starting point for a mixed group, while an 85% bar is better reserved for guests who prefer a stronger, more bitter cocoa flavour. Check ingredients and allergen warnings before putting either on a shared table.
If certification matters to your afternoon-tea plans, check the exact pack rather than relying on broad ethical-sourcing language. The Fairtrade Foundation distinguishes its classic Fairtrade Mark, which covers all ingredients that can be certified, from a mark identifying a named Fairtrade-sourced ingredient.
A shared plate may need a less intense dark bar as well as something for guests who actively enjoy a stronger cocoa flavour. Cocoa percentage helps you narrow the choice, but it cannot tell you what every guest will prefer.
Read the ingredients and precautionary allergen statement for each chocolate before serving. Dark chocolate or a vegan recipe does not, by itself, establish suitability for someone with a milk allergy.
Start with the Fairtrade claim on the particular bar or box, then choose a cocoa level and serving format for your guests. Make the ingredient and allergen check on the product you will actually put out.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Check the exact pack for a Fairtrade Mark and its wording. The Fairtrade Foundation says the classic mark covers all ingredients that can be Fairtrade certified; a sourced-ingredient mark identifies a particular ingredient. | I want to know whether the Fairtrade claim covers the eligible ingredients throughout the chocolate or a named ingredient such as cocoa. |
| Cocoa strength | Compare the stated cocoa percentages and consider offering a choice. The cited Divine bars provide 70% and 85% examples; the higher percentage should not be taken as a guarantee that guests will prefer its flavour. | For a mixed group, I would start with a 70% bar. I would put out an 85% option when I know someone prefers a more pronounced cocoa taste. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and any “may contain” statement. Check inclusions in flavoured bars or boxes individually, including nuts or alcohol where relevant. | I need to know what is safe to put on a shared table, rather than assuming that “dark” or “vegan” answers an allergy question. |
| Serving format | Choose between a plain bar you can break into portions and a flavoured bar or assortment with different inclusions. Check each variety in an assortment before serving it. | A plain bar keeps the choice straightforward; a varied plate suits guests who want different flavours, provided I can check what each piece contains. |
A brand’s responsible-sourcing programme and a Fairtrade certification mark make different claims. The Fairtrade Foundation also distinguishes its classic mark from its sourced-ingredient mark.
If Fairtrade is essential to your choice, check the mark and any named certified ingredients on the exact bar or box.
An 85% bar is a different flavour choice from a 70% bar and may not suit guests who prefer milder chocolate.
For a mixed group, consider a 70% option first and offer an 85% bar separately for guests who want it.
Precautionary warnings still matter. Lindt Shop UK states that its Excellence Dark 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is not suitable for people with a milk allergy.
Check the current label before serving and ask guests with allergies to confirm whether the product is suitable for them.
These brand examples illustrate different bars and formats; the name of a brand alone does not establish the Fairtrade status or allergen suitability of every product it makes.
Divine lists 70% and 85% dark bars. Its description of the cited 85% bar explicitly refers to Fairtrade ingredients.
Lindt Shop UK lists an Excellence Dark 70% bar and describes a separate responsible-sourcing programme.
Montezuma's lists dark chocolate in several flavours, as well as organic bars.
Hotel Chocolat’s dark-chocolate collection includes bars and sharing or gift formats.
These bars offer plain 70% and 85% choices and a 70% raspberry option for afternoon tea. If Fairtrade certification is decisive, check the mark and ingredient coverage on the exact pack; check current allergen information before serving.
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A plain 70% bar is a starting option when you are serving guests with different dark-chocolate preferences. The listing describes Fairtrade ingredients with mass-balance mixing; check the exact pack mark and what it covers. Check its precautionary warnings for almonds, hazelnuts, milk and nuts before serving.
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The 180g bar is another plain dark-chocolate option to portion for afternoon tea. Its Fairtrade wording concerns named ingredients, so check the pack mark and its coverage if certification is central to your choice. The supplied allergen information identifies soya and precautionary warnings for gluten, eggs, milk, peanuts and nuts; read the current label before serving.
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This 70% raspberry bar offers a fruit-flavoured choice alongside plain chocolate. Check the exact pack for its Fairtrade mark and ingredient coverage. The listing’s vegan-friendly wording conflicts with its milk declaration: do not use that wording to decide suitability for a vegan guest or someone with a milk allergy. Read the current ingredients and allergen warnings before serving.
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Consider this plain 85% bar for guests who prefer a stronger cocoa flavour rather than as the only chocolate for a mixed group. The listing describes Fairtrade ingredients with mass-balance mixing; check the pack mark and its coverage. Read the current precautionary warnings for almonds, hazelnuts, milk and nuts before serving.
Check the mark and wording on the exact pack. The Fairtrade Foundation says its classic Fairtrade Mark covers all ingredients that can be Fairtrade certified, while its sourced-ingredient mark identifies a particular certified ingredient. “Organic” or a general ethical-sourcing claim is not a substitute for either mark.
A 70% bar is a practical place to start if guests have different preferences; offer an 85% bar separately when someone wants a stronger cocoa flavour. Percentage helps distinguish the options, but it cannot predict each guest’s taste.
Do not assume so. Lindt Shop UK says its Excellence Dark 70% bar is made to a vegan recipe but is not suitable for people with a milk allergy. Read the current ingredients and precautionary warnings for the particular product and ask the guest to confirm suitability.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information for every bar or variety you plan to serve, including any “may contain” statement. For flavoured chocolates or assortments, check inclusions such as nuts or alcohol piece by piece rather than relying on the description of the box.