FAQ
ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS
+ What makes Superfood Cocoa chocolate so delicious?
We craft our premium chocolate from only three ingredients: directly sourced single-origin cacao beans, low-GI coconut nectar, and fresh-pressed cocoa butter—which we make ourselves from the very same beans.
We never alkalize, and we never use additives. Instead, we work with the finest beans from Latin America, treating each origin with care. Every step of our small-batch process is tailored to the specific bean, bringing out its unique character, flavour, and aroma.
+ How is your chocolate different to the standard chocolate sold in a supermarket or my local corner shop?
Most mass-produced chocolate is made from bulk cacao mass sourced from Ivory Coast, where unethical practices such as trafficking and child labour are widespread. Beyond the human cost, the focus is rarely on quality or flavour. Beans are roasted at very high temperatures using a one-size-fits-all approach, which not only strips away flavour but also destroys many of the cacao’s natural nutrients.
The natural cocoa butter is often removed and sold into the cosmetics industry, while the cacao itself is chemically alkalized with potassium carbonate—a process that further reduces natural flavour, minerals, flavanols, and antioxidants. Additives like soy lecithin (extracted with hexane) are then introduced to help industrial machinery run smoothly.
The result? Chocolate that often contains very little actual cacao—sometimes as low as 11%, just one percent above the legal minimum to still call it “chocolate.” To mask the flat, processed taste, vanilla is added—its flavour profile the exact opposite of cacao.
Perhaps most concerning, independent lab tests have revealed high levels of toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lead in many mass-market chocolates, cocoa powders, and even nibs. These metals are absorbed from the soil—where they are present naturally in some regions, but also accumulate through the overuse of fertilizers and poor agricultural practices. The result is chocolate that is not only nutrient-poor but potentially harmful.
+Do Superfood Cocoa chocolates contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients?
No—none of our products contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients. For full transparency, every product on our website includes a complete list of ingredients and allergen information, so you always know exactly what you’re getting.
+Isn’t chocolate made with raw cacao beans the healthiest?
Surprisingly, it isn’t. While raw cacao does offer some health benefits, it’s not generally considered safe to eat due to potential side effects and safety risks.
Raw cacao contains high levels of theobromine, a stimulant similar to caffeine. Consuming too much can lead to theobromine poisoning, with symptoms ranging from nausea and headaches to heart palpitations—and in severe cases, seizures, kidney damage, or even heart failure.
There’s also the risk of mycotoxins, caused by fungal contamination during pre-processing on farms. Without proper fermentation and drying, these toxins can develop easily. Traditional fermentation (4–7 days, with frequent turning) and sun drying (about 7 days) are essential to prevent mold. Importantly, safe fermentation naturally reaches 48–51°C, while “raw” cacao is usually defined as being processed under 42°C—below the temperature needed for safety.
On top of this, transporting raw beans can be unsanitary, exposing them to pathogens like salmonella. That’s why lab testing is necessary to confirm the absence of mycotoxins, salmonella, and other harmful microbes.
Finally, light roasting plays a vital role. Not only does it pasteurise the beans, removing any remaining pathogens, but it also enhances flavour. In fact, studies have shown that roasting can increase antioxidant activity by up to 650%, making well-crafted roasted cacao both safer and more nutritious than so-called “raw” cacao.
+Why do you use coconut nectar instead of cane sugar?
Cane sugar—even organic cane sugar—comes from the water inside the sugarcane plant. It’s heavily mass-produced and processed, offering empty calories with few nutrients. Its overconsumption is linked to negative health effects such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Coconut nectar, on the other hand, is minimally processed, which means it retains much of its natural goodness. It’s naturally rich in iron, zinc, antioxidants, and 17 amino acids, as well as vitamins C and B.
Another key difference is its glycemic index (GI)—the measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Refined sugar has a GI of 55–84, while coconut nectar stays under 22. That lower sucrose content makes it a gentler option, and in many cases, more suitable for people managing blood sugar levels, including those living with diabetes.
By choosing coconut nectar, we’re able to craft chocolate that isn’t just indulgent, but also a little kinder to your body.
+ Is your chocolate dairy free and gluten free?
Yes! All of our chocolate is gluten-free.
Our dark chocolate bars are completely dairy-free, while some of our other varieties like milk and white chocolate bars do contain lactose free dairy. Whenever dairy is used, it’s always clearly listed in the ingredients, so you’ll know exactly what’s inside.
+ What is the difference between normal milk and lactose free dairy milk?
Lactose-free milk is simply regular dairy milk with the lactose (a natural sugar) removed. This makes it much easier to digest and an essential choice for people with lactose intolerance. Nutritionally, it’s just as wholesome as standard milk—containing the same vitamins, minerals, and proteins—so nothing is lost except the lactose. That means everyone can enjoy the creamy taste of real milk chocolate, even those who are usually sensitive to dairy. With our chocolate, indulgence is inclusive.
+ What is the shelflife of your chocolates?
Our dark chocolate bars have a shelf life of two years, while our milk based bars (with added dairy milk) have a slightly shorter shelf life- one year.
Every bar is stamped with a clear Best Before date. While the chocolate often remains safe to enjoy after that date, we recommend tasting it sooner rather than later—nothing beats the flavour of fresh craft chocolate at its peak.
+ Do you use sugar, preservatives or emulsifiers in your chocolates?
Never. Our chocolates contain no preservatives, emulsifiers, soy lecithin, or artificial ingredients—ever.
We also stay completely free from refined or artificial sugars, choosing only natural, minimally processed sweeteners that honour both flavour and wellness.
+ Is your cacao powder alkalized?
No—we never alkalize our cacao.
Most commercial hot chocolate powders go through alkalization, a process where the cacao is washed with a synthetic potassium carbonate solution. While it makes the powder milder and darker in appearance, it also strips away the cacao’s natural flavour complexity and removes much of its beneficial antioxidant flavanols—the very compounds that make cacao so good for you.
Our cacao powder is left in its pure, natural state—rich, flavourful, and full of goodness.
+ What is different about your cacao powder?
We’re one of the very few chocolate makers who press our own cacao powder—using the exact same beans that go into our award-winning single-origin bars.
This extra step takes time, but it makes all the difference. By crafting from scratch in our chocolate kitchen, we’re able to create a hot chocolate mix that’s deeply rich, naturally flavourful, and true to the bean. Every cup captures the unique character of the origin and delivers the full benefit of cacao’s powerful flavanols—making it as good for you as it is delicious.
+ Is there a way to know how much polyphenols or flavanols are present in your chocolates?
Great question. Since high heat can destroy the natural nutrients in cacao, we only lightly roast our beans—a careful process that preserves their rich flavour while retaining the highest possible levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
We are currently in the process of having our chocolates lab tested to determine their exact nutritional and chemical composition. Once complete, we’ll share the results openly on our website and social media—so you’ll know exactly what’s in every bite.
+ How do I store my chocolate?
The best way to store chocolate is in a cool, dry place—but never in the refrigerator. Chocolate easily absorbs strong odors (think blue cheese or curry), which can affect its taste. Refrigeration also causes condensation when the bar is brought back to room temperature. This leads to “fat bloom”—the white streaks or patches you sometimes see on chocolate. While it’s harmless and the chocolate is still safe to eat, it doesn’t look as beautiful as it should. If you absolutely must refrigerate your chocolate, wrap it tightly and let it slowly return to room temperature before enjoying.
+Is your chocolate Certified Organic or Fair Trade?
Not exactly—but here’s why.
Most of the cacao we source is effectively organic by default. Farmers can’t afford synthetic fertilizers, and their methods are environmentally friendly and self-sustaining. While certification sounds reassuring, it comes with expensive annual fees and heavy paperwork. In fact, certified organic cacao isn’t always free from pesticides or other contaminants.
Similarly, Fair Trade certification requires farmers to pay high membership fees, while only guaranteeing a small premium above commodity prices. We believe that money is better spent directly supporting the farmers themselves.
That’s why we work through a Direct Trade model. Our supplier maintains personal relationships with every farmer and negotiates prices directly—ensuring they receive at least 100% above commodity rates, and in many cases 200–300% more. All of the farms we work with follow ethical labour practices, treat workers fairly, and pay at least the legal minimum wage.
With Direct Trade, we ensure higher quality beans, fairer compensation for farmers, and chocolate that’s truly better for everyone.
+ Some of your chocolate bars have been out of stock for a long while. Will they be back in stock anytime soon?
We work with cacao beans sourced directly from smallholder farmers. Their harvests are deeply affected by climate change, which has made it difficult for us to secure our usual supply. Dominican Republic cacao, in particular, has been especially hard to source.
That’s why we’re so pleased to share some good news—we’ve successfully secured a new batch of Dominican Republic cacao beans! The shipment is expected to arrive in April, and we’ll be restocking our online shop by October 2025.
Thank you for your patience and support—it means the world to us, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy these special bars again.
ABOUT YOUR ORDER
+ Can I add a gift message?
Absolutely! Just type your message in the order comments box at checkout, and we’ll make sure it’s included with your gift. We’ll take care of the rest.
+ Can I check the status of my order?
Yes—you’ll automatically receive updates on your order status by email or SMS as it moves through processing, shipping, and delivery.
+ Can I update items in my order?
Yes, we’re happy to help. Just email us at he***@***************co.uk, and we’ll do our best to amend your order—as long as it hasn’t already shipped.
+ What if I am having a trouble tracking my order?
No problem—just send us an email at he***@***************co.uk, and we’ll be happy to help you track it down.
+ I have received an extra bar with my order. What shall I do?
Enjoy it—it’s our gift to you! We love surprising our loyal customers, so with every third order, we include a complimentary full-size chocolate bar as a little thank you.
+ My order dispatch email mentioned 5% discount code so why has it not been emailed to me?
We love hearing your feedback! That’s why we send out a 5% discount code as a thank-you once you leave a review. The code will be emailed to you automatically after we receive your review.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
+ What’s the deal with the subscription?
Our subscription service is the easiest way to keep your chocolate stash topped up. You’ll get your favourite bars delivered to your door every 4, 6, or 8 weeks—automatically billed only when your order ships. Subscribers also enjoy 10% off every order, plus the flexibility to skip, update, or cancel anytime (with at least 48 hours’ notice before your next refill).
There’s just one small commitment: a minimum of 2 subscription charges before cancellation. After that, it’s entirely up to you.
Convenient, flexible, and worry-free—you’ll never run out of chocolate again.
ANYTHING ELSE?
If you have any other questions—or just fancy a chat—drop us an email at he***@***************co.uk. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
