With veganism on the rise, more people are seeking delicious options that fit their lifestyle. But when it comes to chocolate, many still wonder if they can find a satisfying vegan alternative.
Sustainable packaging is difficult for chocolate, to avoid ‘bloom’. For now, recycle packaging at kerbside or at supermarket bag bins.
Keep chocolate (and other sweet flavours like nutmeg) away from pets (use a letterbox guard, for online orders). Never eat xylitol-sweetened chocolate near pets (just a few dropped crumbs could be lethal).
Traditionally, milk chocolate was made using cow’s milk, which gave it that creamy texture and sweet flavour. Today, manufacturers are creatively harnessing plant-based ingredients to replicate that beloved taste. Here are some common substitutes:
- Almond Milk: This nut milk offers a subtle nuttiness and creamy texture, making it a popular alternative.
- Oat Milk: Known for its smoothness, oat milk adds a sweet flavour that complements chocolate well.
- Coconut Milk: With its rich and tropical essence, coconut milk brings a distinct creaminess to vegan chocolate.
- Soy Milk: Often used due to its protein content, soy milk provides a good base for many chocolate lovers.
- Rice Milk: This lighter option has a naturally sweet taste that enhances the chocolate experience.
Lovo
Lovo offers chocolate with toasty notes and next-level creaminess. Choose from bars made with oat, almond, hazelnut or coconut milk, for that Dairy Milk flavour without the cow.
The Creamiest Plant-Based Chocolate on Earth
The Undairy Co makes the creamiest plant-based chocolate on the planet. Founded by a man who is dairy-intolerant, this is the bar to choose, if you’re vegan or have allergies, but love the taste of a bar of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk. This award-winning gluten-free bar is as far away from the bitter dark chocolate bars as you can get.
Crafted with single origin Peruvian cacao, this bar is literally the ‘Dairy Milk’ of dairy-free. It has the same taste and mouthfeel, and as far away from what the founders call the ‘sad alley ‘of bland Free From aisles in supermarkets. The founder spent eight years buying chocolate from allergy aisles, then throwing it away. So decided to come up with something better.
He managed it. And it was so good, his wife said he should try to sell it. So they did! They tried it out at the UK’s premier chocolate festival, and results were so good, it’s now gone nationwide. 90% of customers trying it, said they couldn’t taste the difference.
You can buy a Library Gift Box to try the flavours, or just stick to one flavour. Handmade in Lincolnshire, choose from the following (we don’t list the Honeycomb bar as one ingredients is vegetable fat, we are checking if this is palm oil):
- Original
- Fruit and Nut
- Chunky Nut
- Dark Chocolate
- Dark Orange
- Chocolate Orange
Chocolarder
Chocolarder’s Toasted Oat Milk chocolate is a quality bar for chocoholics, made with creamy oat milk, and sourced with Fair Trade organic beans, handmade by artisans in Cornwall.
Made with just three ingredients (toasted oats, rainforest beans and unrefined sugar), this bar tastes amazing, and is packed in plastic-free and recycled packaging for a vegan choccy treat.
Flower & White
Flower & White (Shropshire) offers a ‘milk chocolate vegan meringue’ chocolate, sold in paper-based packaging.
Happi Chocolate
Happi offers many flavours of oat milk chocolate, including gingerbread. This company even makes sustainably-packaged oat milk Easter eggs and Christmas advent calendars.
Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates
Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates (Nottingham) are handmade by an artisan. The range includes several ‘milk chocolate’ varieties including Casholatte (including gingerbread flavour), milk latte chocolate and Hazolate!
Harth Chocolates
Prefer dark chocolate?
Harth Chocolate (the name is olde English for ‘hearth’) is a company that was founded by a couple, as an alternative source of income, after their vegan fine dining restaurant in Bath, had to close due to the pandemic. Everything is handmade by artisans, and sold in plastic-free packaging.
The luxury handmade truffles are handmade in a rural workshop and sold in beautiful box that is easy to recycle. And of course, the cocoa beans are sustainably sourced. The boxes contain six truffles, for a lovely gift to share. Choose from:
- Hazelnut (tastes like Nutella)
- Whisky (with Scottish malt)
- Dark chocolate caramel
In conclusion, whether you’re looking for innovative flavours, luxurious crafting, or a commitment to sustainability, these vegan milk chocolate brands offer something special. With a diverse array of options, your journey into the world of vegan chocolates is bound to be satisfying and delicious.
How to Choose Quality Vegan Chocolate
- Cocoa Content: Look for chocolate with a high cocoa percentage. This often indicates richer flavour and better quality.
- Natural Sweeteners: Choose chocolates that use natural sweeteners like agave or coconut sugar instead of refined sugars. This can make a healthier option for your diet.
- No Artificial Additives: Steer clear of chocolates with long lists of artificial ingredients or preservatives. The fewer the ingredients, the better the chocolate is likely to be.
- Added Ingredients: Consider chocolates that include nuts, fruits, or spices. These add texture and can provide extra health benefits.
In today’s world, looking beyond just taste and ingredients is crucial. Sustainability is a growing concern for many consumers, and the brands you choose can reflect your values. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Sourcing of Ingredients: Quality vegan chocolates often pay attention to where their cocoa comes from. Brands that practice fair trade ensure farmers are compensated fairly and support community development.
- Eco-Friendly Packaging: Select brands that use biodegradable or recyclable packaging. This shows a commitment to reducing waste and protecting our environment.
- Production Practices: Some brands go the extra mile by ensuring their production methods are environmentally friendly. Look for those that mention using renewable energy or reducing carbon footprints.
Each chocolate bar is not just a tasty treat, but a choice you make that can impact the planet. Engaging with brands that prioritise sustainability can enhance your enjoyment and satisfaction.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can confidently choose vegan milk chocolate that not only satisfies your taste buds but also honours your health and values.
Environmental Impact
Every choice matters. Choosing vegan chocolate aligns with a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Here’s how:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Plant-based diets generally have a lower carbon footprint than diets that include animal products.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Many vegan chocolate companies prioritise sustainable sourcing, ensuring that ingredients are farmed responsibly.
- Less Harm to Wildlife: Supporting vegan brands means less demand for dairy, which can contribute to habitat destruction.
