Chocolate. Delicious, sumptuous and perfect with just about everything if you pick the right kind. But why stop at your average tasty treat? If you’re a fan of luxe and culinary discovery, we’re sure you’d love to try the best chocolate in the world… and would be willing to go out and find it.
If this has piqued your interest, we’ve done the legwork for you and all you have to do is get sampling. Check out the choc the connoisseurs have rated the best, from luxurious brands to unique flavours in our ultimate list.
What is the most luxurious chocolate in the world?
Let’s start big, shall we? The chocolate with the most bragging rights. Certain countries are known globally as being purveyors of exquisite chocolate – Belgium, Switzerland and Mexico may spring to mind. However, the fanciest (and most expensive) chocolate on Earth award goes to Ecuador’s To’Ak.
Coming in at a whopping $300 USD for a bar, the artisan chocolate is made from 100% national cacao (not many can boast such ingredients), derived from ancient trees and hand-crafted to perfection. Europe may be the biggest consumers and producers of chocolates, but the Ecuadorians are yet unbeaten when it comes to the most luxurious ‘brown gold’ with the heftiest price tag.
Image source:Monique Carrati / unsplash
Where are the best brands out there?
You now know where you can spend the most cash for top chocolate, but let’s explore who truly is the best. In the 2023-2024 International Chocolate Awards rankings among others, Meybol cacao (Germany) and Vigdis Rosenkilde (Norway) came top with scores of over 91% for quality, taste and craft.
But where is the best chocolate in the world?
1. Norway
The Norwegians, famous for their fjords and now also their Vigdis Rosenkilde chocolate, have some of the best confectionaries in the world. The brand’s Kiteni 70% dark chocolate bar boasts a flavour profile with hints of raspberry, grapefruit and rose. The Peruvian Chuncho cacao beans used to create this award-winning delicacy are renowned for its rose-like aroma and incredible quality. For fans with sustainability on the mind, the “world’s best bar” (as voted by the pros) also comes in recycled packaging and is vegan and dairy-free. The fancy choc is well-stocked around Norway and your office will be more wowed than if you brought them an airport Toblerone.
2. Germany
Known for its sweet tooth and with a rich history of making chocolate, Germany is home to multi award-winners Meybol Cacao. Solo Kakao 100% bar wowed global chocolate judges with its pure cacao sugar-free dark chocolate offering and pure ‘clean’ chocolate taste. Germany also has its fair share of delicious mainstream high street chocolate like Milka and the mighty Kinder on offer and with the best range in Europe for their homegrown brands. German hot chocolate is delicious, famously milky and tastes like a trip to the ski slopes, so switch out your usual flat white for a real treat.
3. USA
Not only is the USA home to some of the biggest names in chocolate (Snickers, anyone?) it’s also home to some heavy hitters in the artisan chocolate game. World’s Finest Chocolate in Chicago, IL was founded back in 1939 and sources from a rich cocoa farm in St Lucia. The brand is synonymous with good chocolate and good deeds; it’s America’s most famous fundraising chocolate brand with a huge value of sales going to school fundraisers.
Unlike a lot of the chocolate we’ve mentioned in this article, World’s Finest uses cocoa butter and roasted cocoa beans to get its signature flavour. It’s also a little kinder to your wallet!
On the west coast, heritage brand Ghirardelli in San Francisco have been making incredible choccie in their chocolate factory since the 19th century, so they know a thing or two about great confectionery. With an epic range of flavours from milk chocolate caramel apple to dark chocolate sea salt, there’s no shortage of high-quality choice. Plus, their factory doesn’t require a golden ticket to get in and is amazing for gifts, should you be inclined to share.
4. Canada
In the top-rated game, super-hot brand Chaleur B has wowed the market with its vegan white chocolate. Step aside Milkybar, the people want artisan! Based in charming Québec, you can pay a visit to see the magic happen and experience what they call a ‘cloud of flavours’. They also specialise in pastry, (try their famous chocolatine) if the chocolate alone isn’t enough to sate your appetite. The region also boasts chocolatier Erico, which has not only a tantalising selection, but a very instagrammable shop-front that looks straight out of a Christmas rom-com.
5. Mexico
As if margaritas and tacos weren’t enough, the Mexicans have got some of the finest cocoa beans in the world and they’re not afraid to use them. Feliu Chocolate Mexico (another of the International Chocolate Awards top winners btw) scooped accolades in just about every category of chocolate, with rich cocoa sourced from the Chiapas region and wild flavours such as cactus pear dark chocolate. Guadalajara boasts many chocolaterías (choc emporium of bars, truffles, boxes, pralines) including AirePaz, an artisan fan’s dream.
6. Belgium
No ‘best chocolate in the world’ list is complete without a trip to the chocolate dons themselves, Belgium. Although they may not consume as much as the Swiss (who can blame them with Lindt on tap?), the Belgians are the most globally known for their chocolate exports. Frequently smashing the global polls for top chocolate, they take the time to hand-craft around 70% of their chocolate and even have their own production techniques setting them apart from their European neighbours.
Drizzled on waffles, packed into pralines or swirled into little boxes of seahorses, their chocolate comes in many forms and each of them are top tier.
Per capita, it holds the highest number of producers and shops in the world when it comes to chocolate so it’s worth a visit for fans of the good stuff. Mega brands like Guylian, Godiva and artisan chocolatier Neuhaus can be found in Belgium and the world over and are loved for their top ingredients and general melt-in-the-mouth yumminess.
7. Switzerland
We can’t possibly write a list about the best chocolate in the world without mentioning the unofficial kings in Switzerland! I mean, between Lindt, Toblerone, and Milka, the Swiss have really turned chocolate making into a true art. With so many styles and favourites to choose from, and plenty of artisanal chocolate shops around the streets of Geneva and Berne, you’ll be spending days and days gorging yourself on the stuff and not feeling an ounce of regret!
8. Ecuador
As mentioned above, Ecuador has won the award for the most luxurious chocolate in the world, and when you have direct access to cacao beans, it’s no surprise! Cacao beans grow on Ecuadorian soil, so it’s safe to say they’re total pros on all things chocolate. If you want a sweet treat like you’ve never had before, Ecuardor is the place to be: the rare Arriba cacao bean is what lends Ecuadorian chocolate it’s signature taste for discerning chocolate lovers, and sets it apart from others.
Dark milk chocolate is the favourite here, and the Arriba bean gives it a fruity and slightly spicy taste – you just have to try it to know! Buying chocolate in Ecuador is a great thing as well, as you’ll mostly be supporting local farmers and their industries. Sweet treats with a good cause, hooray!
9. Ivory Coast
Africa has the perfect climate for growing cacao beans, and in recent years, the Ivory Coast has been taking full advantage of that fact. They are one of the leaders in exporting cacao beans, and now they are starting to produce chocolate domestically, with up-and-coming brands dabbling in pralines and bars – yum! If you’re ever in this area of the world, you should definitely indulge. Not only will your chocolate be delicious, but your coin will be going towards local workers and helping to further stabilise the Ivory Coast’s economy.
10. Colombia
Some like it white, some like it milky, but in Colombia chocolate is dark – just as the cacao bean intended. It’s no secret that Latin America is the best producer of cacao beans, and Colombia is one of the best places to get chocolate from. Rich and intense, with a little bit of bitterness to cut through the sweet, it doesn’t get much better than this. Colombia is a well-known player in the chocolate game as well, with brands like Hasslacher reigning supreme.
And what’s better than a bar of chocolate? Chocolate that you can drink! Complemented by a pinch of cinnamon and cloves, Colombian hot chocolate is sweet with a little bit of spice, and totally addictive.
If that’s got you lusting after more luxurious eating trips, give these a look while tucking into a bar of your new favourite chocolate and save some for us.
