Palm oil in chocolate? Tastes like nothing.
No really, nothing. And yet, many mass-produced chocolate bars use palm oil as a cheap filler. It doesn't add flavour. It doesn't improve texture. What it does is bulk out the bar so it costs less to make. But here is the good news: palm-oil free chocolate is having its moment, and GNAW Chocolate is leading the way.
What is palm oil and why is it in chocolate?
Palm oil is a vegetable oil made from the fruit of oil palm trees. It's cheap, widely available, and used in everything from biscuits to candles to shampoo. In chocolate, it's usually added to replace some of the cocoa butter (which is more expensive and higher quality). Palm oil gives manufacturers a longer shelf life and bigger profit margins, but at a cost to quality, flavour and the planet.
This is why GNAW Chocolate chooses to skip palm oil entirely. From hot chocolate to chocolate bars, we keep cocoa butter in our recipe so every bite delivers on taste, quality and sustainability.
The environmental impact of palm oil
Palm oil production is one of the leading causes of deforestation in tropical regions. Massive areas of natural rainforest are being burned to make way for palm plantations. This destroys habitats for endangered species like orangutans, tigers and elephants. Even so-called "sustainable" palm oil has a mixed reputation, as the industry is difficult to regulate and is often operating inside of a grey area.
By choosing palm-oil free chocolate from GNAW, the knock-on effect is more than just better flavour. It supports ethical cocoa farming and reduces the demand for destructive agricultural practices.
Does palm oil change the taste of chocolate?
Palm oil itself is flavourless. It doesn't give chocolate a richer, deeper or creamier taste. In fact, it can dull the natural cocoa flavours, leaving a bland finish because there's less of the good stuff you want in there. On the other hand, palm-oil free chocolate keeps all the cocoa butter in place, which means a smoother melt, richer taste and more satisfying snap.
Ever noticed how artisan or bean-to-bar chocolate feels different in the mouth? That's the cocoa butter doing its job. Not a neutral oil filler. GNAW Chocolate keeps things simple, using cocoa butter to deliver the flavour and texture real chocolate lovers know and expect.
Health benefits of palm-oil free chocolate
Whilst palm oil isn't toxic, it is high in saturated fats. It's also often highly processed before it even reaches a chocolate bar. This is why chocolate free of palm oil is often made by brands that focus on higher-quality, minimally processed ingredients, fewer additives, and more real cocoa.
Cocoa butter contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil. So choosing a palm-oil free chocolate, like GNAW Chocolate Bars, is a win for both flavour and wellness.
How to spot palm-oil free chocolate
Brands often display “Palm Oil Free” on the front, making the choice simple. But it's also as easy as reading the ingredients list. You want to look for “cocoa butter” as the main fat source. Steer clear of any labels listing “vegetable oil”, “palm oil”, “palm fat”, “palm kernel oil”, “palm stearin” or “elaeis guineensis” (the scientific name for palm oil).
Key phrases to search for when hunting palm-oil free options:
-
palm-oil free chocolate
-
ethical chocolate without palm oil
-
sustainable chocolate brands
-
palm oil alternative in chocolate
-
best tasting palm-oil free chocolate
Oh, and GNAW Chocolate ticks every one of these boxes, of course.
The future of chocolate is palm-oil free
With growing awareness of palm oil’s drawbacks, more chocolate makers are ditching it entirely. Supporting brands which are going out of their way not to use any palm oil sends a clear message: cheap fillers do not belong in something as magical as chocolate.
Palm-oil free chocolate from GNAW doesn't just taste better - it's better for the planet and for you, and that's something worth savouring.
👉 Buy GNAW Chocolate bars now – because life’s too short for poor quality chocolate.
