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Once more, YorkTest lifts the lid on some of the various products out there on the market that aim to cater for those people suffering from food allergies and intolerances.  This month, we look at one company that provides alternatives for that most tempting of temptations, chocolate.

 

Most chocolate is a minefield for sufferers of intolerances and allergies.  Crammed full of nuts, gluten, eggs and of course, dairy, chocolate remains one of the hardest things for people to give up when changing their diet, no matter how dedicated they are.  And as you may be aware, some of the substitute chocolate on the market is not the tastiest!

 

One company who aim to change this perception is Finland’s Dammenberg, who provide a range of nut-free, gluten-free and egg-free chocolate, as well as some dairy-free products.  All of their chocolate is Kosher, and from September this year they will also have a new FairTrade range. 

 

Dammenberg is a family run business based in Tampere, Finland.  In 2003 they became the first chocolate manufacturer in Europe whose factory is totally nut and gluten free.  In the UK they are distributed by No Nuts…Just chocolate’ (www.nonutsjustchocolate.com) and their range extends from large and extravagant hampers and gift sets, to everyday chocolate bars and confectionary.  But of course the question remains, how does it taste?

 

We lined up an expert panel of food critics (well, people from the YorkTest offices) to do a blind taste test.  On one plate, Dammenberg Milk Chocolate buttons.  Made from 100% Cocoa butter, these are nut-free, gluten-free and egg-free.  On the second plate are Dammenberg dark chocolate buttons, which are also lactose free.  On the third, good old traditional Cadbury’s Buttons.

 

We tested these products with 15 people, and the results were rather surprising.  Whilst some people didn’t like the strong bitter taste of the dark buttons, others raved about its rich taste. Overall, 4 people chose it as their favourite.  The Dammenberg Milk chocolate buttons went down exceptionally well, with people praising its rich creamy taste, with one tester referring to it as ‘surprisingly good,’ and others calling it ‘sumptuous’ .  In total, over half those sampled thought this to be the nicest chocolate, with eight of the YorkTest staff succumbing to its charms.  Most surprising of all, the Cadbury’s buttons came in a shock last place, gathering only three votes.