Mishry Rating
Summary
Cadbury Bournville is a range of premium-looking ‘dark’ chocolate bars. The signature cocoa bitterness was on the lower side. We liked the 70% dark variant better.
Meals often feel incomplete without it, this undeniably makes your day better, from adding decadence to a bowl of oatmeal to a smile each time you open the refrigerator. Can you guess what are we talking about? Chocolate bars are one of the simplest pleasures of life and everyone has a favorite that they cannot get enough of.
Cadbury is an extremely popular chocolate brand that offers eclectic flavors like their Madbury range and some luxe chocolates from their Temptations range. Adding to this list, here is our Cadbury Bournville chocolate bars review. Raisin and Nut and 70% dark are the variants covered in this review.
Table of Contents
Variants We Reviewed
All you need to know about Cadbury Bournville chocolate bars is discussed here.
1. Available Variants
Initially, there were three variants in the range- 50% dark, cranberry, and raisin and nuts. A new variant 70% dark has been added recently.
2. Available Quantities
Cadbury Bournville is offered in 80-gram bars.
3. Price Range
An 80-gram bar is priced at Rs 90/-.
4. Shelf Life
These have a shelf life of nine months from the date of manufacture.
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk Ganache Chocolate Is A Decadent Treat!
Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars – Our Review Factors
Is packaging the only ‘premium’ aspect of these chocolate bars? Let’s decode.
1. Main Ingredients
This range essentially comprises dark chocolate. This means they would have 10-50% milk solids, milk-based products and sugar with 50-90% cocoa-based ingredients. Does the ingredient list specify the proportions?
Raisin & Nut – Sugar, Cocoa Solids, Cocoa Butter, Raisins (8%*), Cashew Nuts (4%*), Apricot Kernels (4%*), Milk Solids, Emulsifiers (442, 476), Lactose.
70% Dark – Cocoa Solids (45%), Cocoa Butter (25%), Sugar, Milk Solids, Lactose, Emulsifiers (442, 476).
2. Taste
Dark chocolates lend a bitterness that is laced with subtle sweetness. Does the taste of the variant labeled 70% dark justify the tag?
What about raisins and nuts, do they taste fresh?
3. Aroma
Is the aroma rich and inviting? Or did we notice something odd?
4. Texture
The texture and mouthfeel of chocolate can either be explained as smooth or grainy. Unless there is an addition of nuts, the texture we look for is a smooth, silky bar.
In the 70% dark variant we were looking for a smooth mouthfeel whereas from raisin & nuts, we expected a chewy, slightly crunchy texture.
5. Nutritional Information
Following is the macronutrient breakdown per 100 grams of the chocolate bars-
Raisin & Nut- 544 Kcal which is divided as 55.9 grams of carbohydrates (of which 44 grams is sugar), 5.7 grams of protein, and 33.1 grams of fat.
70% Dark- 623 Kcal which is divided as 38.7 grams of carbohydrates (24.2 grams sugar), 7.2 grams of protein, and 48.6 grams of fat.
Related Reading- Cadbury 5 Star Oreo
Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bar Variants – Detailed Review
Each 80-gram bar of Cadbury Bournville holds eight squares. Calories per serve and how the cocoa is sourced is mentioned at the front.
Cadbury Bournville | Raisin & Nuts | 70% Dark |
Price | Rs 90 | Rs 90 |
Main Ingredients | Sugar, Cocoa Solids, Cocoa Butter, Raisins, Cashews, Apricot. | Cocoa Solids, Cocoa Butter, Sugar, Milk Solids. |
Calories | 544 Kcal | 623 Kcal |
Shelf Life | Nine months | Nine months |
1. Raisin and Nut
The squares have a shiny smooth surface on which ‘Cadbury Bournville’ is embossed.
The bar emits a rich chocolatey aroma. Highlighting on the fact that Cadbury Bournville is a dark chocolate bar, the sweetness left us a bit confused. This tastes quite sweet which is usually not the case in a dark chocolate bar. Raisins, cashews, and apricot kernels are added to the bar. Though the raisins taste fresh and have a chewy, meaty bite, they are added sparingly. The quantity of nuts is even lower. Nut bits were found in only 45-50% of the squares. Moreover, we tasted bits of roasted almonds, but that was not mentioned in the ingredient list.
Another aspect we think needed some detailing was the percentage of cocoa solids and butter. The brand uses 100% sustainably sourced cocoa, which we appreciate.
What is 100% sustainably sourced cocoa?
On their website, the brand explains how sustainable cocoa doesn’t just support farmers, but also gives back to the environment in a way.
Be it financial barriers or social, Cadbury made an attempt to understand the challenges faced by farmers in 2012. Under its Cocoa Life initiative, Cadbury has trained over 150,000 farmers, planted almost 20 million trees, enhancing the quality of life of farmers, among other positive changes.
Sustainably sourced cocoa is verified to be grown and harvested through sustainable practices like paying a premium to farmers, safe labor practices, educational provisions, etc.
Features
- An 80-gram bar is priced at Rs 90.
- It has a shelf life of nine months.
- Main Ingredients- Sugar, Cocoa Solids, Cocoa Butter, Raisins (8%), Cashews (4%), Apricot Kernels (4%), Milk Solids, Emulsifiers (442, 476), Lactose.
Likes
- The packaging and overall look of this bar feels premium.
- In addition to cashews, we could also taste some almonds.
- The raisins taste fresh and have a chewy bite.
Dislikes
- The nuts and raisins are added sparingly.
- This is quite sweet for a ‘dark’ chocolate bar.
Best Suited For
If you prefer your chocolate bars with chewy and crunchy bits, this is something you could try.
That said, these do not have the dark chocolate bitterness.
2. 70% Dark
Price, packaging, net quantity, and the overall look are almost identical.
In terms of taste, this variant is definitely more bitter than Raisin & Nuts. That said, when compared to a premium bar of 70% dark chocolate, Cadbury’s variant was relatively sweeter. The richness cocoa is known for was marginally lower here. As the name suggests, this has a 70% cocoa content 45% of which is cocoa solids and 25% is cocoa butter.
What are cocoa solids and cocoa butter and how are they different?
Cocoa solids are essentially the non-fat part of the cocoa bean. When cocoa beans are put through a hydraulic press, cocoa solids and cocoa fat are separated.
While cocoa solids lend the characteristic flavor and color to the chocolate bar, cocoa butter adds the smoothness and rich mouthfeel.
The antioxidants chocolate is associated with is present in the former. When a chocolate bar lists its cocoa content, it is a sum total of cocoa solids plus cocoa butter. If you’re looking for chocolate to bake with, you’d be better off opting for one with a higher cocoa butter content.
Features
- Price, net weight, and shelf life are the same as above.
- Main Ingredients- Cocoa Solids (45%), Cocoa Butter (25%), Sugar, Milk Solids, Lactose, Emulsifiers (442, 476)
Likes
- The smooth-looking chocolate squares have an inviting aroma and are visually pleasing.
- The bitter-sweet taste would be relished by a large audience.
- Melt-in-the-mouth smoothness is the texture these squares have.
Dislikes
- When compared to premium counterparts, this chocolate bar isn’t as rich in cocoa. .
Our Top Picks & Recommendations
But if a bitter-sweet, smooth bar is what gets you drooling, go for the 70% dark variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the flavor profile of Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars?
Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars have a rich and intense dark chocolate flavor. They are known for their smooth texture and deep cocoa taste, with a slightly bitter yet pleasantly sweet aftertaste. The flavor is sophisticated, catering to dark chocolate lovers who appreciate a more robust chocolate experience.
2. How does Cadbury Bournville compare to other dark chocolate brands?
Cadbury Bournville stands out for its balance of bitterness and sweetness. Compared to other dark chocolate brands, Bournville offers a smoother texture and a slightly sweeter profile, making it accessible to those who might find other dark chocolates too intense. It’s a great middle ground for both new dark chocolate consumers and seasoned enthusiasts.
3. Is Cadbury Bournville Chocolate suitable for vegans?
Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars are generally not suitable for vegans as they may contain milk or milk derivatives. It’s important to check the specific packaging for any changes in ingredients, as formulations can vary and Cadbury may update their recipes.
4. Are Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars a healthy choice?
While Cadbury Bournville Chocolate Bars offer some health benefits associated with dark chocolate, such as antioxidants and lower sugar content compared to milk chocolate, they should still be consumed in moderation. Like all chocolate, they contain calories, sugar, and fat, which need to be considered as part of a balanced diet.
5. Do these chocolate bars require refrigeration after unpacking?
The chocolate bars must be stored in a cool and dark place.