Excellence 70% Cocoa

Lindt is a major Swiss industrial chocolate producer headquartered in Kilchberg, Switzerland. The Excellence 70% Cocoa bar serves as a cornerstone of their dark chocolate portfolio, representing a standardized approach to European chocolate making. As an industrial manufacturer rather than a small batch artisan, the brand focuses on achieving a highly consistent texture and flavor that has become a global benchmark for accessible dark chocolate.

This 100 gram bar is characterized by a velvety melt and a profile that balances 70% cacao with 30 grams of sugar per 100 grams. A distinguishing feature of this recipe is the use of real bourbon vanilla beans rather than synthetic vanillin, which adds a subtle floral depth. Furthermore, the cocoa used in this bar is not alkalized or Dutched, preserving the natural aromatic qualities of the chocolate and maintaining a more authentic cocoa character.

The ingredient list is relatively streamlined for a large scale producer, notably omitting polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) and relying on cocoa butter and soy lecithin for its 47 grams of fat content. While the bar remains a popular choice for its refined mouthfeel, enthusiasts should be aware of nuances in sourcing. For instance, independent testing by Consumer Reports in December 2022 highlighted cadmium levels in this bar at 116% of the California Maximum Allowable Dose Level.