The dark chocolate in Asher's Nuts is 70% cacao. It's made from three organic ingredients: chocolate liquor, cane sugar and cocoa butter. It contains no soy lecithin or other emulsifiers. Seventy percent gives deep cocoa flavor with only a little sugar. Harvard nutrition experts also suggest choosing 70% or higher to get the most cocoa flavanols.
What kind of chocolate goes into the jar?
A 70% dark chocolate from Pascha, made with organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar and organic cocoa butter. That's it. It's made without soy lecithin or other emulsifiers, and it's free of the 8 major allergens. It's the third ingredient in Dark Cocoa + Sea Salt by weight, right behind the macadamias and walnuts. If the macadamias are the MVP, the chocolate is the name on the marquee. It's the flavor you taste first.
What does 70% cacao mean?
It means 70% of the chocolate's weight comes from the cacao bean (chocolate liquor plus cocoa butter), and the remaining 30% is mostly sugar. The higher the percentage, the more cocoa flavor and the less sugar. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health defines dark chocolate as 50–90% cocoa solids.
Why 70% and not 85% or 100%?
Because 70% is the sweet spot between flavor and sugar. Below that, the chocolate starts to taste like candy, and the sugar count climbs. Above it, the bitterness gets aggressive and takes over the nuts. At 70%, the cocoa is bold enough to lead. Then a little raw honey, vanilla and sea salt can round it off. The result is about 3 g of total sugars per 2-tablespoon serving. That's about 80% less sugar than Nutella at the same weight. See low-sugar chocolate spread.
What are cacao flavanols?
Flavanols are plant compounds found naturally in cacao, and they're one reason dark chocolate gets studied so much. Harvard's Nutrition Source notes that dark chocolate has 2–3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids than milk chocolate. It recommends 70% or higher to get the most flavanols. It also notes that alkalizing cocoa (Dutch processing) causes a significant loss of flavanols.
The research is promising but not settled. The largest trial so far, COSMOS, gave about 21,000 older US adults a cocoa extract supplement with 500 mg of flavanols a day. The results, published in 2022, showed no significant reduction in its main measure, total cardiovascular events. There was a lower rate of cardiovascular death, a secondary measure. The authors called the evidence suggestive and said more research is needed. Keep in mind that COSMOS used a concentrated supplement, not a chocolate spread. We're not making health claims for a spoonful of nut butter. We simply prefer real 70% chocolate to cocoa-flavored sugar.
Why no soy lecithin or emulsifiers?
Because we don't need them, and we'd rather keep the label short. Many chocolates include soy lecithin, an emulsifier that helps chocolate flow during manufacturing. Nutella's US label lists it too. Our chocolate is made without it. Without emulsifiers anywhere in the jar, the nut oil can separate over time. That's normal, so just stir. Read how we handle texture in Meet the Team: Coconut.
How does dark chocolate compare to cocoa powder in a spread?
Chocolate brings cocoa butter, and cocoa butter brings body. Many spreads use cocoa powder plus palm oil. We use whole 70% chocolate, so the cocoa butter comes along with the flavor. That's part of why the spread feels rich and sets up nicely in the fridge. The full comparison with other spreads is in our Nutella alternative guide.
Quick facts
- Position: third ingredient by weight
- 70% cacao: organic chocolate liquor, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter
- Made without soy lecithin or emulsifiers, and free of the 8 major allergens
- Harvard suggests choosing 70% or higher to get the most flavanols
- Job on the team: headliner, the deep cocoa flavor up front
FAQ
Does the chocolate contain dairy?
No. The chocolate is made from chocolate liquor, cane sugar and cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is a plant fat from the cacao bean, not dairy.
Does dark chocolate have caffeine?
Yes, a small amount comes naturally from cacao. One serving of Asher's Nuts contains far less chocolate than a bar, so it has far less caffeine.
Is Asher's Nuts bitter?
It's dark, but it isn't harsh. Salt, vanilla, cinnamon and a little honey round off the 70% chocolate.
Is cocoa good for you?
Cocoa flavanols are being actively studied, and results so far are promising but not conclusive. We pick 70% chocolate for flavor and low sugar. For more, read is nut butter good for you?