I consume chocolate almost every day, at least two squares, and often more. I can attribute this regular serotonin boost to visits with my late grandmother, who never let me leave without giving me a dark chocolate bar for my health, of course.
With the abundance of chocolate available, my choices are limited. I am one of an estimated 26 million American adults with at least one food allergy. Food allergies can be life-threatening and are considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act in such cases. I have a severe peanut allergy, which is quite common in chocolate, either as an ingredient or a potential cross-contaminant in shared factories.
Fortunately, I don’t feel like I have to compromise on chocolate. For over a decade, I’ve been purchasing from Guittard, whose packaging features very clear allergen statements. While I regularly buy a few Guittard chocolate varieties, my favorite for baking and snacking is Guittard Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bars, which are reliable and delicious and are packaged in a cheerful cerise-color box—and made in a tree-nut-free, gluten-free, and peanut-free facility.
With a smooth texture in the mouth and a flavor and aroma that balances bitterness with fruity, floral notes reminding me of raspberry jam, this is the supermarket chocolate against which I now measure all others.
This dark chocolate bar’s balanced flavor and texture make it ideal for eating on its own and using in baking. Plus, its above-average allergen statement makes risk clear to shoppers with food allergies.
Aromatic and smooth, with 55% cocoa, these not-too-sweet, not-too-bitter chocolate chips are excellent for baked goods and other desserts, and they’re dairy- and allergen-free.
