Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?

White chocolate is a divisive variety of chocolate. Even the most dedicated chocolate lovers often attest that they don’t like white chocolate or even consider it to be real chocolate. However, many products sold as white chocolate are not real chocolate at all. When you do get your hands on real, high-quality white chocolate, you may find that your preconceived notions about this variety of chocolate are all wrong. 

What is white chocolate?

White chocolate contains no cocoa solids, but it does contain cocoa butter along with sugar, milk solids, and—in some cases—vanilla. Gourmet chocolate producers will include a minimum of 30% cocoa butter, which is why good white chocolate is not white at all. It’s pale yellow in color. 

Is white chocolate really chocolate?

Because white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids, you may wonder if it counts as real chocolate at all. You may be surprised to learn that there are legal limitations restricting which products can be labeled as chocolate. The presence of either cocoa solids or cocoa butter means that you have real chocolate. Of course, many varieties of chocolate contain both these components, while white chocolate only has cocoa butter. 

How can you spot high-quality white chocolate? 

One reason why white chocolate has a mixed reputation is that many chocolate producers have put out low-cost products with names like “white chips,” “white crème,” or “white baking chips.” None of these contain any cocoa butter, but instead are packed with palm oil, stabilizers, and sugar—or worse, corn syrup. High-quality white chocolate will feature cocoa butter among the first ingredients on the label, and it will offer a depth of flavor well beyond what imitation products can deliver. 

Taste the difference of high-quality white chocolate with Zotter Chocolate’s White Chocolate Mousse hand scooped chocolate bar, classic white chocolate bar, or our Labooko reduced sugar white chocolate bar. Our white chocolates are crafted with a minimum of 35% real cocoa butter paired with organic sugar and bourbon vanilla for an unforgettable flavor and deliciously smooth texture.