8 Best Vegan Chocolates UK 2022 | Vego, Ombar and More

When perusing vegan chocolate, there's a few things to consider: flavour, nutritional info, additional dietary requirements, and ethical credentials. We'll run through each of these factors here!

Before thinking about anything else, you'll need to decide which type of chocolate you prefer, whether white, milk or dark. Each has a different flavour and level of sweetness, so it's a big decision if you're satisfying a particular craving!

As we mentioned earlier, dark chocolate is a staple for vegan chocoholics. It has a rich, intense flavour that's not too sickly sweet. Not only is it a tasty choice, but it's nutritious too — this kind of chocolate is full of antioxidants like flavanols, which can improve blood flow and neutralise free radicals.

If you want something creamier though, you should try a milk-style bar made with creamed coconut or a white chocolate bar containing vanilla extract. Both of these are much sweeter than dark chocolate though, so they're pretty indulgent!

Vegan doesn't automatically equal healthy, and even dairy-free treats can be downright decadent! So it's important to check nutritional info like how much cocoa and sugar your chosen chocolate contains if you're trying to be healthy. If you're being indulgent it's still a good idea to choose something with organic ingredients for better quality chocolate.

The higher the cocoa content in a bar of chocolate, the more nutritious it is! A 100g bar with 70-85% cocoa contains more than half the recommended daily allowance (RDI) of iron and magnesium, plus almost the entire RDI of copper and manganese. Bars containing this much cocoa are also high in fibre and fatty acids.

However, a bar with a high cocoa content can taste bitter, so finding the right balance of cocoa and sugar is key. Bear in mind that the RDI for sugar is 30g a day — so choose chocolate with 25g or less per 100g for a healthier choice. Many vegan chocolates use coconut sugar or date syrup for added sweetness, which have a lower glycemic index but can still be high in calories.

Did you know that out of all the crops on the planet, conventionally-grown cocoa uses the most pesticide in its production? Studies have shown that consuming products that have been treated with even low doses of pesticides can cause a number of health issues. 

So if you'd prefer a bar of chocolate without synthetic nasties or GMOs, opt for one that contains organic ingredients. We firmly believe that it tastes better and generally has a higher quality — but we'll let you test that out for yourself!

When it comes to living and eating ethically, we're really spoilt for choice with vegan chocolate options. Fairtrade products, which pay cocoa producers a fair wage, are easy to find online — even on supermarket sites! Rainforest Alliance-certified chocolate is also a sustainable choice, ensuring the safety of cocoa farmers, and conserving local wildlife.

Some of the very best chocolate makers out there have taken their ethical credibility even further and have set up their own schemes which guarantee a higher price than Fairtrade for farmers and producers. The companies that do this usually have strong, visible relationships with producers, which they often proudly detail on their websites.

There are lots of artisanal vegan chocolates made in the UK these days too, which minimises transportation (i.e. pollution) and scores mega eco points! We think it's always a great idea to support small UK businesses and taste local British ingredients in your chocolate too!

Yet another great thing about vegan chocolate is that it tends to be reliably labelled when it comes to allergens. Since vegan brands are often designed to cater to other special dietary requirements, many bars will be suitable for those with coeliac disease or nut allergies too. 

To help you out, we'll mention in the specification table below each review whether a product is gluten-free, nut-free, or both so you can concentrate on which treat tickles your fancy!

Now we've shared all of the important points you should think about when shopping for vegan chocolate, it's time to check out the goods! Read on for our top 8 tasty recommendations from the likes of NOMO, Ombar, and Deliciously Ella — available to buy online in the UK.

Whether you're a flexitarian, a newly-fledged veggie, or a veteran vegan — we say you can never have too much food inspo! Check out some of our other plant-based articles at the links below for even more delicious ideas.

Now we've shown you the goods, we're sure you're feeling sweet and ready to nibble some vegan treats. All that's left for you to do is decide which dairy-free delight you're going to try first. Life really is like a box of chocolates!

Author: Melanie McPhail