Which popular brand of chocolate bar reigns supreme at the store? Prepare yourself for an indulgent ranking of the most popular chocolate brands available.
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00:00What's the top chocolate bar brand? While personal preferences, like choosing a favorite
00:04sushi spot, play a role, there are also clear criteria to consider. Get ready for an irresistible
00:09ranking of the most popular chocolate brands, ranked from least to most beloved.
00:15For some, the arrival of Cadbury Cream Eggs each Easter is a highly anticipated event.
00:20These beloved treats feature smooth, milky chocolate shells filled with a delightfully
00:24sweet creamy fondant. However, the rest of Cadbury's chocolate offerings may not live
00:28up to the same high standards. We sampled two varieties from the Cadbury Milk line,
00:33the Classic Milk Chocolate and the Royal Dark Chocolate bars.
00:36The Milk Chocolate was undeniably sweet, but its texture left much to be desired. The chocolate
00:41felt brittle and grainy, likely due to the sugar content, and had a waxy finish that
00:46didn't melt smoothly. As for the Royal Dark Chocolate, it fared slightly better, but only
00:50because it was relatively tasteless compared to the Milk Chocolate. However, it wasn't
00:54enough to earn our endorsement. In the end, we'll stick with the Cadbury Cream Eggs when
00:58we crave a sugary treat in spring and look for better chocolate bars elsewhere.
01:02Don't lose your heads. Don't get overexcited. Just keep very calm."
01:10Every year, Russell Stover's chocolate boxes flood drug and grocery store shelves for Valentine's
01:15Day, a tradition that dates back to 1923. Despite decades of popularity, their offerings
01:20haven't changed much. Each box still features an assortment of milk and dark chocolates
01:25with fillings like vanilla cream, raspberry, strawberry, orange, coconut, truffle, and
01:30maple nut butter.
01:31The chocolate itself is pretty basic, a thin shell that mostly serves as a vehicle for
01:35the sugary filling inside. These fillings are often stiff, overly sweet, and carry a
01:40distinct artificial flavor, but strangely, they're still quite addictive. While these
01:44chocolates aren't exactly a luxury experience, there's something charming about receiving
01:48a large box from someone special.
01:50In addition to their classic offerings, Russell Stover has become a leader in sugar-free chocolates,
01:55They offer a range of sugar-free boxes, individual candies, chocolate bars, and even sugar-free
02:00chocolate chips for baking. While we haven't tasted their sugar-free options yet, they
02:04come highly recommended, and the variety available is impressive.
02:08Nestle, one of the largest food companies globally, is much more than just chocolate,
02:13with a vast range of products spanning baby food, bottled water, cereals, coffee, frozen
02:18foods, dairy, tea, ice cream, and even pet food. It has a significant presence in nearly
02:23every food category.
02:25In the U.S., Nestle's most recognizable chocolate brands are KitKat and Crunch Bars. While KitKat
02:30is produced by Hershey's in the U.S., it's still a flagship Nestle product. Naturally,
02:35we couldn't resist comparing these popular chocolate bars to others on the market. Breaking
02:39down a KitKat bar, we noticed the chocolate had a satisfying snap when separating the
02:43layers of crispy wafers. The chocolate itself is quite sweet, lacking any deep, complex
02:49flavors.
02:50What really makes it stand out, however, is the combination of the wafer's crunch and
02:53the chocolate's sweetness, creating a balanced and enjoyable texture. On the other hand,
02:58the Crunch Bar offered a different experience. The chocolate is creamier and sweeter but
03:02has a slight waxy feel. The real standout here is the puffed rice, which gives the candy
03:07its unique crunch and texture, making it an enjoyable treat in its own right.
03:11Mars, the world's largest chocolate company according to Statista, is not just known for
03:16its iconic chocolate, but also for producing mints, candy, and chewing gum. Among its
03:21best-known products are M&M's and Snickers, both of which have become household names.
03:26To explore what Mars brings to the chocolate market, we grabbed a few M&M's minis chocolate
03:30bars. The Milk Chocolate Bar offered a notably sweet, rich chocolate flavor. Its texture
03:35was smooth and creamy, with a mild crunch from the mini M&M's embedded in the chocolate,
03:40though it wasn't particularly crunchy.
03:42Unlike the classic M&M's candies, the candy bar didn't live up to the,
03:46"...melts in your mouth, not in your hands," claim. The bar was soft enough that if you're
03:49holding it for too long, it may start to melt, requiring a napkin for cleanup.
03:54The Dark Chocolate Bar, though still on the sweet side, had a stronger cocoa flavor, leaning
03:58more toward a cocoa powder taste. While labeled Dark Chocolate, it reminded us more of the
04:03rich, gooey texture of brownie batter. Like the Milk Chocolate, it was soft and a little
04:07pliable.
04:09Dove chocolates are marketed as a more luxurious option, which raised our expectations as we
04:13prepared to sample their offerings. With three main collections — individually wrapped
04:18bonbons, chocolate bars, and ice cream bars — the brand keeps things focused and refined.
04:23We tried both the Milk and Dark Chocolate Bars to experience the full range. True to
04:27its tagline of silky smooth, Dove's chocolate definitely lives up to that claim.
04:32Neither the Milk nor Dark Bars were too sweet, offering a nice balance that made them easy
04:36to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed by sugar. Breaking off a piece of chocolate revealed
04:40a satisfying snap, a characteristic of high-quality chocolate. The texture and flavor were consistent,
04:46without any unexpected aftertastes or strange sensations, which we appreciated.
04:51Dove also offers Promises Chocolates, individually wrapped and available in a variety of flavors,
04:56including two with actual cocoa percentages in the Dark Chocolate range. Without this
05:00distinction, however, the Milk and Dark Chocolate labels feel somewhat ambiguous, leaving us
05:05craving a clearer differentiation.
05:08If you're a fan of milk chocolate, Milka might just be the gold standard. Milka, the lilac-wrapped
05:13chocolate brand, is owned by Mondelez International, the same conglomerate behind Kraft Foods and
05:18Nabisco. While Mondelez is a fairly new entity, Milka has a rich history as a Swiss chocolate
05:23maker that's been crafting alpine milk chocolate for over 120 years.
05:28Although Milka might be unfamiliar to some Americans, it's one of Europe's largest chocolate
05:32brands, sold in more than 32 countries, just not yet in the U.S. If you're lucky enough
05:37to have an international grocery store nearby, you'll be able to explore Milka's diverse
05:41range of flavors. Even the classic Alpine Milk Chocolate Bar is a treat. Its creamy
05:46texture and subtly grassy milk flavor evoke images of alpine cows grazing in the Swiss
05:51mountains, just like the brand's mascot.
05:53We also tried Milka's Extra Cocoa Bar, which retains the same smooth texture as the milk
05:58chocolate but lacks the rich, intense bite that dark chocolate lovers crave. While the
06:02milk chocolate version easily earns high marks, the dark chocolate option doesn't quite hit
06:07the same note. Depending on where you live, it can be a bit tricky to find Milka in stores,
06:11but it's readily available online. And yes, purple cows seem to be their signature.
06:16Godiva chocolates are often just as accessible as some more affordable brands, but they elevate
06:21the experience with their luxurious gold packaging, complete with elegant ribbons. Founded in
06:26Belgium in 1926, Godiva has grown into a renowned international brand, with each box of chocolates
06:32featuring an illustration of the legendary Lady Godiva. The assortment typically includes
06:37a variety of truffles and chocolates, enrobed in smooth milk, dark, and white chocolate.
06:42The chocolate itself is creamy and rich, striking a perfect balance — neither too sweet nor
06:47too plain.
06:48What truly sets Godiva apart, however, are the fillings. Unlike many other brands, such
06:52as Russell Stover, which often have artificial tasting centers, Godiva's fillings are rich,
06:58authentic, and carefully crafted, providing a refined and artisanal experience. Though
07:02these chocolates come at a higher price point, Godiva offers smaller boxes, chocolate bars,
07:07and individually wrapped pieces, making it possible to indulge without going all out.
07:12If you're looking to treat yourself or someone special on a special occasion, Godiva provides
07:16an exceptional, premium chocolate experience that's well worth the investment.
07:21Ghirardelli chocolates and bars provide an excellent opportunity to explore the complexity
07:25of different cocoa percentages. Starting with milk chocolate, their selection ranges from
07:3060% cocoa, gradually increasing up to an intense 92% cocoa. For the truly adventurous, they
07:36also offer a 100% cocoa bar, which is unsweetened and primarily intended for baking. While it's
07:42not suitable for casual snacking due to its lack of sweetness, it's a valuable ingredient
07:46for recipes requiring pure cocoa.
07:49In addition to the classic bars, Ghirardelli features options with various fillings, including
07:54fruits, nuts, and caramel, making it easy to find a flavor combination that suits your
07:58taste. Whether you're diving into the world of premium chocolate or looking to enhance
08:02your culinary creations, Ghirardelli offers an impressive selection. Upon tasting, it's
08:07clear that Ghirardelli chocolates are of superior quality. The bars snap cleanly when broken,
08:12and the texture is smooth and velvety without any waxy residue. The chocolate is firm enough
08:16that it doesn't melt in your hands, but still provides a satisfying melt when you bite
08:20into it.
08:21Beyond chocolate bars, Ghirardelli's hot chocolate and brownie mixes are also standout products.
08:26Widely available in stores and online, they offer the same high-quality experience found
08:30in their chocolate bars.
08:32Reese's is the second best-selling chocolate candy in the U.S., with the classic Hershey
08:37bar coming in at number four, according to The Daily Meal. Given these impressive numbers,
08:41we decided to examine both candies closely to see how they compare. No surprises here.
08:47After tasting the classic Hershey bar, Special Dark, and Reese's, we can report back with
08:51our thoughts.
08:52The Hershey's milk chocolate bar is sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, especially when
08:56compared to the likes of Cadbury and M&M's. The Special Dark bar, on the other hand, offers
09:01a smoother texture with a satisfying snap. Its dark fruit notes and mildly bittersweet
09:05profile make it appealing to those who enjoy a richer chocolate experience. Even though
09:10it lacks a specific cocoa percentage, it's the perfect bar for nostalgic s'mores and
09:14continues to hold a special place for many.
09:17Then, there's Reese's, the gold standard of simplicity. The combination of sweet milk
09:21chocolate and salty peanut butter is a timeless favorite. It doesn't need to be fancy to satisfy,
09:26and its affordability makes it a go-to option for any occasion. While both Hershey and Reese's
09:31have their merits, the balance of flavor and nostalgia puts Reese's at the top, with Hershey's
09:35following in the bronze medal position in our ranking.
09:39Ferrero Rocher. Chocolates have a way of disappearing quickly, so much so that we were amazed by
09:44how fast an entire box could be devoured. The only thing that slowed us down was the
09:48fact that each chocolate is individually wrapped, giving us a brief moment to consider whether
09:53or not we'd show any restraint. But it's hard to resist, given how well these chocolates
09:57deliver on both taste and texture.
09:59Each piece features a crisp wafer filled with a smooth hazelnut chocolate center, all encased
10:04in a layer of chocolate and chopped hazelnuts. It's the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy,
10:09and nutty. Think of the best elements of Kit Kat, Godiva Truffles, and Reese's, combined
10:14with premium ingredients. The name Rocher, which means rock in French, is fitting, as
10:19the candy's appearance does resemble a small rock.
10:22From an unbiased perspective, Ferrero Rocher strikes a great balance between sweetness
10:27and the savory, nutty richness of hazelnut. For those looking to mix things up, the Ferrero
10:31collection also offers dark chocolate and almond coconut varieties in larger boxes.
10:36The fillings are indulgently creamy, and the chocolate coating melts effortlessly in your
10:41mouth. Available in packs of three or larger boxes up to 48 pieces, Ferrero Rocher caters
10:46to both your taste and portion preferences, depending on how much self-discipline you
10:50have.
10:52Choosing a favorite chocolate can be tough since our cravings vary, and everyone has
10:55different tastes. With Lindt, however, we discovered a wide selection of high-quality
11:00chocolates that cater to all preferences. Whether you're a fan of truffles or prefer
11:04a classic chocolate bar, much like Ghirardelli, Lindt offers pure chocolate bars in a range
11:09of cocoa percentages, from 70 percent to 100 percent, alongside smooth milk chocolate
11:15and unique flavored options like chili or blackberry with acai.
11:19What truly sets Lindt apart, though, is the remarkable depth of flavor in their chocolates.
11:23The ingredients are clean and straightforward, with no unnecessary additives, and they even
11:28incorporate bourbon vanilla beans in their Excellence line for an extra touch of sophistication.
11:33While these chocolates are exceptional, we'll admit there's no golden ticket hidden inside.
11:37Still, Lindt's commitment to quality and flavor makes it a standout choice for any
11:41chocolate lover.
11:42Hey, you've got it! You've got the last golden ticket! The kids found the last golden ticket!
11:48Lindt offers everything from indulgent truffles and smooth chocolate bars to premium baking
11:53chocolate, ensuring there's something for every chocolate craving or culinary need.