Milk Chocolate

What Is Milk Chocolate?

Chocolate owes its unique and complex flavour profile to the humble cacao bean. The word “chocolate” first appeared around 1600, coming from the Aztec xocolātl and the Yucatec Mayan words chocol, "hot", and atl, for "water." But the term "milk chocolate" came shortly after in reference to a Jamaican drink made of none other than chocolate and milk.

Both milky and dark chocolate use cacao liquor (100% pure cacao), cacao butter, and sugar. Dairy powder, however, is added to milk chocolate to give it a creamier taste, texture, and lighter colour. Indeed, for it to qualify as the milk variety, it must contain at least 12% milk (though this percentage varies from country to country). This can be in the form of milk powder, condensed milk, regular liquid milk, or any combination of these.

Another critical difference between dark and milk chocolate varieties is that dark has a higher concentration of cacao, resulting in a more bitter taste and a darker colour. The higher the cacao content, the more antioxidants the chocolate contains and the more health benefits it offers. Studies have shown that because of its high cacao content, dark chocolate can improve health in numerous ways and lower the risk of heart disease.

Milk Chocolate Variations

Milk chocolate is a truly satisfying treat, and it is also extremely versatile. It can be combined with various other ingredients and flavour profiles, from the spicy to the nutty, citrusy, salty, peppery, and everything in between. Some of the more popular pairings include:

• Berries
• Caramel
• Coffee
• Ginger
• Honey
• Lemon
• Orange
• Milk Chocolate & Peppermint
• Nuts: almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, or peanut butter
• Rum
• Truffles
• Sea salt
• Vanilla

Final Thoughts on Milk Chocolate

This form of chocolate naturally contains more sugar than dark chocolate, so it has more carbs and calories. Pay attention to labels when selecting your sweet treat. Look for a 100% certified organic bar that features only the cleanest list of ingredients, such as cacao liquor, cacao butter, evaporated cane sugar, whole milk powder, and coconut oil.