Have you ever wondered about the question “Is Chocolate Candy?”. While almost everyone has a huge love for chocolate, not all people can answer this question.
Eating a bar of chocolate is indeed very simple. But to determine whether chocolate is candy may be quite tricky and time-consuming. If the above question makes you confused right now, you are not alone!
So keep reading, and you will find out the answer.
How Candy And Chocolate Are Categorized
Before diving deeper into the discussion, you need to understand how candy and chocolate are categorized by the principles of the modern world.
What Is Candy?
When you hear the word candy, what do you think? Colorful tiny pieces varied in different shapes, forms, and textures – That’s right. But what exactly is candy?
Technically, candy is a confection made with sugar or other sweeteners (e.g., corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, etc.). By definition, sugar is the main ingredient of this sweet food.
In addition, as stated by the State Department of Revenue, any food variety that contains flour or needs to keep in a fridge should not be defined as candy (1).
Based on the techniques used to make candy, you can divide it into two main kinds: crystalline and non-crystalline candy.
- Crystalline candies (e.g., fondant and fudge) are smooth, creamy, and contain fine sugar crystals. They have a lower sugar concentration than non-crystalline candies.
- Non-crystalline candies (e.g., caramel, candy canes, and lollipops), by contrast, are hard and brittle and contain no sugar. Their level of sugar concentration is higher than that of crystalline candies.
Besides sugar, other ingredients, such as fruits, nuts, or chocolate, are often added to increase the candy flavor. Colorants or food colorings are also used to make candy more appealing to their customers’ eyes, especially children’s.
Have you ever wondered how candy is mass-produced? If yes, check the video below.
What Is Chocolate?
Chocolate, on the other hand, is a food made from fermented cacao beans (also called cocoa beans) and often sweetened and flavored.
Regarding categorizing, there are four main chocolate types:
- Milk chocolate contains chocolate liquor, sugar, and milk. Due to using milk as the key ingredient, this bright brown chocolate is much sweeter than dark chocolate and unsweetened chocolate.
- White chocolate consists of cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla instead of chocolate liquor. This type of chocolate is easily recognized due to its cream color. With sweet and creamy taste, many desserts are made with white chocolate.
- Dark chocolate is made of chocolate liquor and sugar and without any milk. For this reason, it has a dark brown color, and you may feel it slightly bitter when swallowing.
- Unsweetened chocolate is a sugar-free food made of cocoa butter and cocoa solids. This is the most bitter among the four kinds of chocolate.
Similar to candy, chocolate often includes seeds, peanuts, and fried fruits to improve its taste and bring desired flavors. Besides being consumed as a sweet confection, chocolate is a common ingredient in many types of desserts, candy, ice creams, and cakes.
In case you are curious about the origin of chocolate, the video below is the best.
Is Chocolate Categorized As Candy?
Now back to the big question, is it accurate to call chocolate candy? Well, the answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no.
First, take a look at the definition of candy again: a confection primarily made with sugar or other sweeteners. In addition, it must contain no flour and require no refrigeration.
Many commercial chocolate products on the market do not contain any flour. And there is no need to preserve them in a fridge as well. In fact, according to chocolate manufacturers and experts, the best condition to keep it is dry, cool, and dark places.
Another consideration is chocolate varieties are often loaded with high amounts of sugar. For example, a CADBURY CARAMELLO Milk Chocolate Bar has 25g of sugar, accounting for about 50% of its total weight.
According to the definition mentioned above, most chocolate products should fall under the candy category due to their ingredients and preservation conditions.
However, not all chocolate products are classified as candy. An example of this is pure or unsweetened chocolate varieties. As they do not contain any sugar, they can not be considered candy.
To sum up, chocolate may be candy and also may not be. The best way to determine whether confections are candy is to look at their key ingredients and preservation conditions.
Is White And Dark Chocolate Categorized As Candy?
Some people may treat white and dark chocolate as a separate category rather than candy.
However, these chocolate varieties tend to have high sugar amounts in their ingredients. In addition, they also do not contain any flour and do not need to be preserved in a fridge.
By the definition of the State Department of Revenue, white and dark chocolate should fall under the candy category.
What Is Not Categorized As Candy?
According to the definition of the State Department of Revenue, any food that consists of flour or requires refrigeration is not considered candy.
Here are some examples of food that is not candy:
- Cakes, cookies, and cereal (contain flour)
- Ice-creams (require refrigeration)
- Chocolate desserts like pudding and brownies, etc. (contain flour)
- Hot chocolate and other cocoa-based drinks (are treated as beverages)
Is Chocolate Healthier Than Candy?
Perhaps, another question arises in your head right now. Is chocolate any better than candy? There are some aspects that you can consider.
Nutritional Values
Take a closer look at the nutrients between candy and chocolate.
In terms of nutrition, most candies contain “empty calories”(2). In other words, when you consume candy, you receive minimal or no additional nutrient value but energy.
Eating too much “empty calories” food may lead to several health issues, such as weight gain, high blood sugar, diabetes, heart disease, etc.
On the other hand, chocolate products, especially those with a high cocoa content, do contain essential nutrients. For example, a bar of dark chocolate with 70% or more cocoa can provide decent amounts of iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, etc. (3).
Benefits of Chocolate
For chocolate lovers, there is some good news for you.
1. Reducing Rates of Major Diseases
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland suggest that consuming up to 100g of chocolate a day may help people decrease risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
2. Reducing Depression And Boosting Mood
When it comes to mental health, eating chocolate, especially dark chocolate, could help decrease symptoms of clinical depression, according to research.
Another study posted on the National Library of Medicine also points out that older adults who prefer chocolate were reported to have better moods and psychological well-being.
3. Improving Cognitive Function
Cocoa flavanols found in chocolate positively impact people’s thinking skills.
In one study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, seniors who daily consume medium or high amounts of cocoa flavanols showed noticeable improvements in their performance in memory and cognitive tests.
This means chocolate intake may help prevent age-related cognitive decline in the old.
4. Weight Loss
Normally, people tend to avoid eating chocolate because of potential weight gain.
However, a study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital finds out that eating chocolate in the morning could help burn fat and reduce glucose levels.
According to the researchers, their women participants saw no difference in their weight despite morning and evening chocolate intake.
Risks of Chocolate
While chocolate brings about many benefits, overconsuming it can lead to several health problems as well.
1. Weight Gain
Proper chocolate intake may help control appetite and lose weight. Overconsuming chocolate, by contrast, can negatively impact people’s weight due to its high amount of calories. For this reason, try to not eat too much chocolate if you want to stay fit and healthy.
2. Diabetes
Consuming a lot of chocolate may also increase your blood sugar levels. So keep in mind to not eat a large amount of chocolate regularly.
3. Tooth Decay
While chocolate is not the main reason for tooth decay, its high amount of sugar can be a problem. The sugar will be converted into harmful acids by bacteria in the mouth, leading to cavities and tooth decay.
4. Weak Bones
The study of more than 1000 older women aged 70-85 years old suggests that frequent chocolate intake may make older women’s bones less dense and weaker. Therefore, you may want to avoid overeating chocolate to keep your bones strong and healthy.
What Is Chocolate Candy?
Okay, you just learned almost everything about chocolate and candy. Chocolate and candy. But how about chocolate candy?
Chocolate candy is a confection made from chocolate and other ingredients. As the name suggests, candy shells can be used for creating flavorful covers for chocolate. Cookies, wafers, bars, and candied fruit are also good alternatives.
While it is often mass-produced by many candy manufacturers, you can totally make it at home. Here are some basic steps you can take to prepare this treat.
- Prepare enough an amount of chocolate
- Melt it by using a double boiler or microwave
- Mix the melted chocolate with other ingredients
- Pour the combination into a mold
- Tap the mold to get air bubbles out
- Put it in a fridge or freezer until the chocolate hardens
- Take the mild out and un-mold it
I know what is in your head right now. You may want to try making it someday, don’t you? So, if that is the case, let’s check this tutorial video out. You will learn essential instructions to make chocolate candy and additional tips to make it more appealing.
Step-by-step to prepare delicious chocolate candy with simple ingredients.
9 Chocolate Candy Recipes For Beginners
In case you seek out the best recipes to make chocolate candy for your loved ones, there is a small gift for you. Here is the list of chocolate candy recipes that I meticulously chose just for you based on various criteria.
Easy Chocolate Candy Recipes
These are the easiest for you, even if you are learning to cook! All you need are three or four ingredients and several steps.
3-Ingredient Chocolate Hazelnut Candy
Not the best in appearance, but this chocolate candy is hands down one of the easiest to make. As simple as the name, all ingredients you need are chocolate, hazelnuts, and vegetable oil.
For Oreo cookie fans, there is nothing that can beat this treat. These little white balls are not only easy to make but also amazingly tasty. If you accidentally crush your cookies, this recipe is a must.
Are you finding something lovely to make? Well, this turtle-shaped chocolate candy may be a great choice for you. This treat is also an excellent introduction for your kids to cooking.
Quick Chocolate Candy Recipes
Do you have a lot of things to do, but do not want to skip your favorite treats? These 5- or 15-min recipes are the way to go.
These clusters take only 8 minutes to make, but they can last for a couple of weeks. Regarding nutritional values, this treat is one of the healthiest chocolate candies thanks to the dried grapes and nuts included in its ingredients.
If you are about to run late in the morning, you may also want to give this recipe a go. This 3-ingredient food has not only an attractive look but also an amazing flavor.
There is no doubt that this colorful chocolate candy is perfect for Christmas. Just ensure that you do not run out of chocolate and candies while making.
The Best Chocolate Candy Recipes
You just had a productive day or week, don’t you? You deserve these superb chocolate candies.
The combination of Ghirardelli chocolate and red peppermint is so pretty and delicious. Besides the perfect sweetness and crunch, it has a little spicy taste that goes very well with other flavors.
Another chocolate candy is made with peppermint. It is easily recognized due to broken pieces of candy canes put on chocolate bars. While this treat is delicious, it is also simple to make.
These little brown and yellow balls are perfect combinations of chocolate and peanut butter. They are made with healthier ingredients and natural sweeteners instead of standard ones.
Chocolate Bars, Candy Bars, And Sugar Candy
Due to similarities and differences between the three kinds of food, people sometimes may mistake them for others.
For a brief comparison of the three kinds of food regarding various aspects, see the table below.
The Similarities
First, take a look at some commons between chocolate bars, candy bars, and sugar candy.
Sugar
Both candy bars and sugar candy contain several types of sugar regardless of their amounts. There are also products made with natural sweeteners and sugar substitutes which are healthier than sugar. But these kinds often come with higher costs and are more difficult to buy.
Health Impacts
When it comes to health concerns, both candy bars and sugar candy are recommended to eat in moderation due to their high amounts of calories. Overconsuming them can lead to several health problems.
The Differences
Turning to the differences, there are 4 aspects that you can consider.
Ingredients
Chocolate bars contain several ingredients, including cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and some sugar. But their key ones are always cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Candy bars, on the other hand, are primarily made with chocolate and other sweeteners. In addition, they often include other ingredients, such as nuts, caramel, nougat, etc.
Sugar candy primarily comes with sugar and or a sugar substitute.
Production Method
Chocolate bars and candy bars are often made without flour, but some products may contain some form of it. Sugar candy, by contrast, is principally produced without flour.
Another difference is the refrigeration requirement for each type of food. Sugar candy does not need to be kept in a fridge, whereas refrigeration is usually a must in the production of candy bars.
Appearance
As the names suggest, chocolate bars and candy bars have the shape of a bar. Their sizes vary from 5-20 cm depending on the products. But chocolate bars are usually bigger than candy bars.
Sugar candy is much smaller than the two kinds of chocolate mentioned above. Although It is just small enough to fit the mouth, sugar candy often comes in a variety of shapes (e.g. oval, cube-shaped, worm-shaped, etc.).
Shelf Life
Due to their stabilizers and additives, chocolate bars, candy bars, and sugar candy can last for a long time. However, the shelf life varies for each type of food.
Sugar candy often lasts from 6 months to a year, while chocolate bars and candy bars can remain for up to 2 years, depending on the kinds of chocolate used to make them.
Dark chocolate products can last for 1-2 years, while the figures for white and milk chocolate are from 6 months to a year.
Another consideration is often other ingredients in candy bars. After some time, nuts or peanut butter in chocolate may taste or smell unpleasant and begin to oxidize. As a result, the shelf life of chocolate containing such ingredients will be decreased.
How To Choose The Best Chocolate
What chocolate should I choose? – You may wonder. Here are some useful tips to help you buy the most suitable chocolate for yourself.
1. If Health Is Your Concern
Then dark chocolate is the ideal choice. Most dark chocolate varieties come with higher amounts of cocoa and lower amounts of sugar than others (excluding unsweetened chocolate ones).
It is also more nutritious and richer in flavonols, compounds associated with many health benefits, than white and milk chocolate.
Dark chocolate, however, is more bitter than its white and milk cousins due to its lower sugar content. So if you can’t stand the bitter taste, this type may not be for you.
2. If You Have A Sweet Tooth
Then your best bets are white and milk chocolate varieties. Thanks to their amounts of ingredients, they are much sweeter than their dark and unsweetened counterparts.
For this reason, white and milk chocolate products are more pleasant for most people, especially those who prefer sweet food.
3. If You Love Baking
Then unsweetened chocolate is the way to go.
While it may not be easy to eat, this chocolate is very popular in baking. Many kinds of brownies and cookies do require it in their recipes. Although this pure chocolate is often a choice for baking, you may also consider dark chocolate with high amounts of cocoa a feasible alternative.
But what if you want to try unsweetened chocolate as a food? The name speaks for itself. It is incredibly bitter. You can try it, but keep in mind that its taste and flavor may be very different from other chocolate varieties. My advice: start with small amounts first, then decide for yourself.
FAQs
Here are other questions about chocolate and candy that may also come to your mind.
Chocolate Is Still A Healthy Food
After all, despite several potential risks, chocolate is still a superb food to gain nutrients and prevent some major health problems. And indeed, it tastes so nice as well!
Now you know if chocolate is candy and almost everything about these types of food. If the article is insightful and interesting to you, please let me know your thoughts.
I hope that you will enjoy chocolate more next time you eat it.
Finally, do not forget to consume your favorite treat moderately!
References
- Sales and use tax guide – Tennessee (no date).
- Nutrition and Dietary Guidelines (no date). Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
- Empty Calories: What are they & which foods are they hiding in? (no date) Houston Methodist On Health.
