Chocolate lovers and candy enthusiasts alike have likely pondered this question: Is chocolate actually a candy? While both satisfy our sweet tooth, the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.
Chocolate, derived from cocoa beans, has a rich history and unique composition that sets it apart from traditional sugary confections. Yet, in many stores, it’s found in the candy aisle. So, where does it really belong?
Let’s explore the definitions and differences, and pin down the answer in this sweet debate.
What Is Candy?
Candy is a broad category of sweet treats typically made from sugar or sweeteners. It encompasses a wide range of confections, from hard candies and gummies to chocolates and caramels. The primary purpose of candy is indulgence—it’s designed to be a pleasurable, often bite-sized snack. While different cultures have their own variations, candy is generally recognized as a sugary delight rather than a staple food.
Defining characteristics of candy
Understanding what defines candy helps clarify whether chocolate truly belongs in this category. Let’s dive deeper into the debate by looking at what is considered candy below:
- High sugar content: Candy is primarily made from sugar, syrups, or other sweeteners. For example, but honey, molasses, coconut sugar, xylitol, and erythritol.
- Minimal nutritional value: It’s usually a treat rather than a source of essential nutrients.
- Variety of textures: Candy can be hard, chewy, soft, or gummy (crystalline or non-crystalline).
- Small, snack-sized portions: Typically sold in bite-sized or individually wrapped servings.
- Often artificially flavored: Many candies contain artificial flavors and colors.
- Melts or dissolves easily: Most candies are designed to be consumed quickly and melt in the mouth.
- May contain chocolate: Some candies include chocolate as an ingredient, but not all chocolate products are considered candy. Also, candies may contain fruit, nuts, various other ingredients and flavors.
- Rarely contains flour: Unlike baked goods, candy generally does not include flour, though there are exceptions like certain chocolate-covered biscuits.
- Does not require refrigeration: Most candies are shelf-stable and do not need to be refrigerated, unlike some chocolates and dairy-based sweets.
What Is Confectionery?
Confectionery is a broad category of sweet foods that includes candy, chocolate, and various sugar-based treats. It is generally divided into two main types: sugar confections and bakery confections.
- Sugar confections include hard candies, gummies, caramels, toffees, and marshmallows—treats primarily made from sugar, syrups, and flavorings.
- Bakery confections encompass sweet baked goods like pastries, cakes, cookies, and certain chocolates with flour-based components.
While all candy is considered confectionery, not all confectionery is candy. Chocolate, for example, straddles the line—plain chocolate bars are often classified separately from candy, while chocolate-covered sweets fall into the candy category.
Additionally, confectionery differs from desserts in that it is typically consumed as a snack rather than a plated dish. Whether in the form of chewy taffy, a rich truffle, or a crisp biscuit, confectionery delights people across cultures with its endless variety of textures and flavors.
What Is Considered Chocolate?
Chocolate is a confection made from cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and sugar, with variations that may include milk, flavorings, and additional ingredients. It is typically categorized into three main types:
- Dark chocolate, which has a high cocoa content and little to no milk.
- Milk chocolate, which contains milk solids for a creamier texture.
- White chocolate, which lacks cocoa solids but includes cocoa butter, sugar, and milk.
Beyond these basic types, chocolate can be found in various forms, such as chocolate bars, truffles, chocolate-covered snacks, and baking chocolate. While some chocolate products, like candy bars with added sugar and fillings, are considered candy, pure chocolate—especially dark or high-percentage varieties—is often classified separately.
Additionally, chocolate is unique in that it melts at body temperature, making it a luxurious treat with a smooth, rich texture. Whether eaten on its own or as part of another confection, chocolate remains one of the world’s most beloved indulgences.
Why not explore the differences between dark vs. milk chocolate?
Alternatively, learn everything you never knew about chocolate to stay informed!
Is white chocolate – chocolate?
White chocolate, unlike its cousins dark and milk chocolate, doesn’t contain cocoa solids. It is made of cocoa butter, sugar, vanilla, and other food additives, therefore, it’s not considered chocolate.
Curious about other types of chocolate? Check out our blog: What is White Chocolate and How is it Made? to learn all about its ingredients, process, and what makes it unique!
The Difference Between Chocolate and Candy
Now that we’ve identified the main definitions of candy, confectionery, and chocolate, let’s explore the difference between candy and chocolate.
Differences between chocolate and candy
Despite their similarities, chocolate and candy have distinct differences in composition, production, and classification.
Candy is primarily sugar-based, often combined with flavorings, colorings, and other additives, while chocolate originates from cocoa beans and contains cocoa butter, giving it a richer, creamier texture.
Unlike most candies, chocolate has varying cocoa percentages that affect its taste, from intensely bitter dark chocolate to sweet milk chocolate. Another key difference is that many candies, such as gummies and hard sweets, do not contain chocolate at all.
Additionally, chocolate requires specific storage conditions, as it melts at body temperature, whereas most candies remain stable at room temperature.
While some chocolate products, like chocolate-covered sweets, fall under the candy category, pure chocolate is often seen as a separate confection, appreciated for its depth of flavor and luxurious mouthfeel.
Similarities between candy and chocolate
Chocolate and candy share many similarities, primarily in their role as sweet treats enjoyed for indulgence rather than nutrition. Both are classified under confectionery and are often found in the same aisle in stores. They provide a quick sugar boost and come in a variety of forms, from solid bars to bite-sized pieces.
Many candies incorporate chocolate, such as chocolate-covered nuts, nougat, and caramel-filled bars, blurring the lines between the two categories. Additionally, both chocolate and candy are widely used in celebrations, gifts, and festive occasions, making them cultural staples across the world.
Whether consumed as a midday snack or a dessert, both are designed to deliver sweetness, pleasure, and sometimes nostalgia, reinforcing their popularity in everyday life.
So, Is Chocolate a Candy?
And now for the finale: is chocolate a candy? The answer is not straightforward. It can be considered a candy but more professional confectioners will not classify it as a candy even if the candy contains some amounts of chocolate.
As such, we can call chocolate a custom candy and if we take it even further, we can, by definition, not call dark chocolate a type of candy at all. This is because it has minimal amounts of sugar added.
Wrapping up
We all know that chocolate when paired with different ingredients, can offer a much more complex taste experience than candies. And the time and production methods that go into making some chocolate can be much more complex than for candies.
Apart from the ingredients and production methods, both do taste sweet, although darker chocolate tends to have a more bitter flavor.
At Totally Chocolate, we agree that chocolates should be considered as more than just sweets or candies. That’s because the chocolates in our collection have a distinct flavor profile and a higher level of artisanal taste and quality. For those of you who’d like to discover this for themselves, don’t hesitate to browse through our extensive selection of custom premium chocolates for every occasion and pick the perfect taste sensation for you!
