The Straight Dope: How does white chocolate differ from real chocolate?

A Straight Dope Classic from Cecil's storehouse of human knowledge

How does white chocolate differ from real chocolate?

29-Aug-1997

Dear Cecil:

How does white chocolate differ from regular chocolate, other than the color? --Jared Anderson, Blacksburg, Virginia

Dear Jared:

One distinction of some possible significance is that, legally, white chocolate doesn't exist. True chocolate contains pulverized roasted cocoa bean, consisting of cocoa butter and cocoa solids. White chocolate contains no cocoa solids and thus technically is "white confectionery coating." Beware--some white confectionery coatings don't even contain cocoa butter. Even in "real" white chocolate the chocolate flavor is subtle at best, being to real chocolate what white soul is to soul. But whatever floats your boat.

--CECIL ADAMS

[Comment on this answer]

[ Return to the Archive ]

The Straight Dope / Questions or comments for Cecil Adams to: cecil@chicagoreader.com
Comments regarding this website to: webmaster@straightdope.com
For advertising information, see the Chicago Reader Online Rate Sheet
Copyright (c) 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 Chicago Reader, Inc. All rights reserved.
No material contained in this site may be republished or reposted without express written permission.
The Straight Dope is a registered trademark of Chicago Reader, Inc.