With three types of chocolate -- dark, milk and white -- different ingredients determine the level of sweetness as well as the nutritional value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has established standards, which define the amount of key ingredients found in each type of chocolate. Dark chocolate, per se, has no established standard; however, there are standards for bittersweet and sweet chocolate, often referred to as dark chocolate. Sold in a variety of products, Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate can be found in Kisses, cakes and cookies.
Standards
According to the FDA, bittersweet or semisweet chocolate requires a minimum of 35 percent chocolate liquor where the fat content averages 30 percent to 35 percent. Semisweet chocolate also contains cocoa butter and sugar. Sweet chocolate has more sugars than semisweet and a minimum of 15 percent chocolate liquor. Milk chocolate must contain a minimum of 10 percent chocolate liquor and 12 percent of milk solids to meet the FDA standards, with the only allowable fat being cocoa butter and milk fat.
Serving Size And Varieties
One bar of Hershey's Special Dark chocolate equals 41 g. Hershey's also sells dark chocolate in its Dark Chocolate Mint Truffle Kisses, Extra Dark Squares, Special Dark Syrup, Dark Chocolate Baking Bar and Baking Pieces.
Calories, Fat, Cholesterol And Sodium
One Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bar has 180 calories, with 110 calories from fat. One bar has a total fat content of 12 g with 8 g of saturated fat, 5 mg of cholesterol and 15 mg of sodium. In comparison, three Lindor Dark Chocolate Truffles, which equal 39 g, have 240 calories, 18 g of fat, no cholesterol and 12 mg of sodium.
Carbohydrates And Protein
One Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar has 25 g of total carbohydrates with 3 g of dietary fiber, 21 g of sugars and 2 g of protein. In comparison, three Lindor 60 percent Dark Chocolate Truffles have 15 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of protein, while three Dark Chocolate Truffles has 18 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of protein.
Vitamins And Minerals
Not a significant source of vitamins and minerals, a Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar only has 10 percent of the recommended daily value of iron. Pure cocoa beans contain the essential minerals magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese. Cocoa beans also contain vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid. However, some of these micronutrients can be lost through the manufacturing process.
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