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13 Chocolate Bars You Should Buy At Aldi And 8 You Should Avoid

German-based Aldi has the unique distinction of being the cheapest grocery store in America, and is known for its one-of-a-kind products. One of the reasons its prices are so low is because the stores are small and efficient, only stocking a limited amount of groceries, which in turn require fewer resources to run them. However, while you may have limited items to choose from in the produce or meat departments, Aldi's chocolate section is very robust.

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The store stocks two labels of its own that are generally regarded as being quite delicious by its passionate fan base. The two brands are called Moser Roth and Choceur, and both offer a variety of traditional chocolate bar flavors as well as some unexpected options you won't find anywhere else (raisin and hazelnut chocolate, anyone?). Moser Roth is a German-owned chocolate company that has produced premium, award-winning chocolate for Aldi since 2007. Aldi's other brand, Choceur, isn't quite a brand, but rather a private label the store uses for its store-brand chocolate products.

Aldi's chocolate brands are a big hit, bringing quality flavors and ingredients to consumers at an incredible value (a 4.4-ounce bar of Moser Roth chocolate is just $2.45, for instance, and a 7-ounce bar of Choceur chocolate rings in at just over $3). We tried more than 20 Aldi-brand chocolate bars and judged them based on flavor and quality. Here are the ones you shouldn't leave the store without, and the ones you can safely leave behind.

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Buy: Choceur Sea Salt Sprinkled Belgian Dark Chocolate

The Choceur Sea Salt Sprinkled Belgian Dark Chocolate is rich and decadent. Belgian chocolate is known around the world for having a prominent fudge-forward flavor, and that was the case here. The chocolate leaned a little toward the bitter side, but appropriately so (dark chocolate is made with higher percentages of cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate, which results in a bitter, yet true, chocolate flavor). The chunky sea salt sprinkled in this dark chocolate bar were immediately noticeable and left a pleasant lingering saltiness after each bite. This flavor combination was spot on. The bar, along with all the Choceur bars, is made with Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa, which means the production of the cocoa meets stringent requirements that benefit the people and the land where the cocoa was sourced.

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Buy: Choceur Milk Chocolate made with real hazelnut spread

The Choceur Milk Chocolate made with real hazelnut spread is a definite keeper. This lovely milk chocolate bar has a velvety mouthfeel and a mild, milky flavor. The added hazelnut spread is very indistinct and doesn't stand out on its own, but it does add to the overall richness of this chocolate bar. The flavor is fantastic, but the standout characteristic of this bar is the creamy, craveable texture. Keep this chocolate on hand to satisfy your chocolate cravings, store it for baking, or pair with your favorite wine for an at-home wine and chocolate-tasting experience. This chocolate bar was also an exceptional value, costing just $1.65 for a 5.29-ounce bar. 

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Buy: Choceur Milk Chocolate with Almonds made with real hazelnut spread

Another inexpensive (yet delicious) option is the Choceur Milk Chocolate with Almonds made with real hazelnut spread. This hefty chocolate bar is loaded with whole almonds. The chocolate and almond combination provides just the right amount of crunch and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate with every bite. The chocolate is mild, with no unpleasant aftertaste. The hazelnut spread is hard to detect but might be what lends to the chocolate's mild flavor and exceptional creaminess.

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Buy: Choceur Coconut Flakes Milk Chocolate

Coconut lovers, gather near and listen up: The Choceur Coconut Flakes Milk Chocolate is something special. From the second you peel back the crinkly silver wrapper on this chocolate bar, it stands out. The aroma is a little malty and tropical at the same time (just enough to smell the coconut). Every bite is a treat. The contrast of this silky smooth milk chocolate with the crunch of the coconut flakes is out of this world. The coconut is sweetened, but not over the top. It's also made with just three ingredients: milk chocolate, coconut flakes, and dry buttermilk. This is a real win if you're a coconut fan.

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Buy: Choceur Raisins and Hazelnuts Milk Chocolate

Raisins are controversial, but if you're pro-raisin, you'll want to give the Choceur Raisins and Hazelnuts Milk Chocolate bar a try. This milk chocolate bar is packed with generously sized whole hazelnuts and dotted with raisins. The raisins are on the small side and not present in every bite, but add a unique, juicy texture and a tart sweetness to an otherwise mellow chocolate bar. And the roasted hazelnut adds an earthy, nutty twist. The flavors play off each other to create a really unique chocolate-eating experience reminiscent of the flavors you'd find in an oatmeal raisin cookie. Can't find this chocolate at your local Aldi? Don't worry – you can order it on Amazon and have it delivered to your front door.

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Buy: Choceur Peanuts & Cornflakes Milk Chocolate

Salty, crunchy, and packed with peanuts, the Choceur Peanuts & Cornflakes Milk Chocolate bar is for anyone who loves a good chocolate and peanut butter combo (and really, who doesn't?). The peanuts and crispy cornflakes are mixed liberally into the chocolate so you can enjoy them with every bite. This is a substantial bar and feels like a meal, but don't worry if you can't eat it all in one sitting (or two or three, for that matter). Many of Aldi's Choceur chocolates — this one included — come in a handy box. You can close this packaging up nicely to store unfinished chocolate for later, without worrying about it getting stale.

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Buy: Choceur Roasted Hazelnuts Dark Chocolate

Roasted hazelnuts on their own are such a treat. You can even roast them at home (just make sure you roast them properly). But adding roasted hazelnuts to dark chocolate? Yes, please. The Choceur Roasted Hazelnuts Dark Chocolate bar is a classic combo that gets it right. The dark chocolate in this bar has just the right level of bitterness for dark chocolate, and the hazelnut-to-chocolate ratio is spot on. The whole, roasted hazelnuts offer a rich, toasted flavor (and this bar is packed with hazelnuts). It has a pleasing fudge smell with hints of roasted coffee. The bar breaks off into rectangular bars and has seven servings. It's as pretty as it is tasty, being a rich, dark color.

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Buy: Choceur Crunchy Caramel Sea Salt Milk Chocolate

We have been charmed by chocolate and caramel since Milton Hershey (of Hershey's chocolate) first popularized the pair in the 1890s with his many commercial chocolate caramel successes. Aldi delivers its own version of chocolate caramel paradise with its Choceur Crunchy Caramel Sea Salt Milk Chocolate bar, a winning combo of mild milk chocolate and crunchy bits of caramel. The chocolate in this caramel and sea salt bar is rich and smooth, and the sea salt and crispy caramel flakes provide a satisfying crunch factor with every bite. The caramel has a toasty taste that will leave you wanting more. This chocolate bar could benefit from more sea salt, but these timeless flavors are a keeper.

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Buy: Moser Roth Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate

Sometimes you just want some chocolate without any bells and whistles, and this straightforward milk chocolate bar heeds the call. The Moser Roth Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate bar is packaged in five individually wrapped bars. It's apparent upon opening the blue foil wrapper that this is going to be a treat to eat. The chocolate has a rich, fudgy smell and is pretty to look at, too, with a soft, chestnut color. One bite into the chocolate and you will appreciate how creamy it is, with a smooth and soft mouthfeel. It's great alone or would be delicious used in any recipe that calls for milk chocolate (try subbing out chocolate chips for this luxurious upgrade the next time you make chocolate chip cookies).

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Buy: Moser Roth Toffee Crunch Creamy Chocolate

Toffee, toffee, toffee! While it's similar to caramel in many ways, toffee and caramel aren't the same thing. Toffee has a bolder, sharper flavor than caramel. The toffee in the Moser Roth Toffee Crunch Creamy Chocolate is right there when you take your first bite, but it does not overwhelm your palate. Sometimes toffee can overpower a candy bar with its rich, sugary taste, but you won't find that here. The tiny little flecks of toffee are dotted throughout each individually wrapped piece of chocolate. Unlike the toffee in other brands of toffee chocolate bars, the toffee in this chocolate melts in your mouth and magically doesn't leave clumps of hard toffee stuck in your teeth. The chocolate is velvety smooth to eat, has a mild, almost nutty flavor, and has a pleasant, toasted aroma.

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Buy: Moser Roth 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is supposed to be complex, aromatic, and bitter. It's not for everyone, especially as the cocoa percentage increases and the sugar and milk added to the recipe decreases. Chocolate connoisseurs enjoy the bitter, acidic tastes of dark chocolate, though, because they can really taste the essence of the cocoa. Aldi's Moser Roth 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate is a straightforward dark chocolate bar that answers the call for inexpensive but delicious dark chocolate. Upon opening, you'll immediately notice the rich, nearly black color and powerful bittersweet aroma. The flavor is on the bitter side and the aftertaste is intense. It did leave a slightly chalky feel in the mouth, but only just barely. This feels like what dark chocolate should be. If it's too intense for your liking, you can put it to good use – there are many ways to use chocolate besides eating it as-is, and dark chocolate in particular is a versatile food to keep stocked in your pantry.

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Buy: Moser Roth Sea Salt Dark Chocolate

The Moser Roth Sea Salt Dark Chocolate is a soft, creamy dark chocolate when compared to the other dark chocolate options from Aldi. The crunchy little sea salt flecks are sprinkled liberally throughout the bar and can be found in every bite. The sea salt and dark chocolate are nicely balanced for a rich, savory flavor. Can chocolate be considered umami? That's kind of how this feels. This chocolate would appeal to anyone who needs a chocolate fix but isn't craving something super sweet, offering a sophisticated treat that is both indulgent and refined but not over the top.

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Buy: Moser Roth Mint Dark Chocolate

The iconic dark chocolate and mint duo will always be a winner, and Aldi's Moser Roth Mint Dark Chocolate is no exception. Another dark chocolate on the mild side, the chocolate in this bar pairs beautifully with the mint. The mint is bright and refreshing, and the first thing you taste when you bite into a piece of this decadent treat. While the mint is prevalent from bite one, it remains balanced and not overpowering. The texture of this chocolate is smooth and creamy. This is a nice option for anyone who likes chocolate but doesn't love dark chocolate, as the mint really tones down the bitterness of the dark chocolate (and yet, the chocolate still manages to shine). If you don't love it, you can convert this into a recipe, like homemade holiday bark or a tasty dessert.

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Avoid: Choceur Coconut Macaroon Filled Belgian Milk Chocolate

The Choceur Coconut Macaroon Filled Belgian Milk Chocolate bar was on the fence between keep and pass, but ultimately, the overpowering coconut flavor made it a pass. The small size of this chocolate bar, which was 1.75 ounces, was appealing. The price was $1.55, which is a great deal, but was also more than twice the cost per ounce of the other Choceur bars.

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The chocolate itself was soft and had a nice, melty texture, with a thin line of macaroon filling. The contrast between the chocolate and filling was pleasant. But the coconut had an overly intense taste that was much sweeter than plain coconut — it almost tasted like the manufacturer had forgone coconut in favor of a manufactured coconut flavor (the ingredients do, indeed, contain "natural coconut type flavor"). The immediate thought that came to mind after the first bite was that it tasted like, well ... sunscreen. It's not a good intro to coconut for anyone who is coconut-neutral — this bar is only for those who are crazy for coconut and don't mind some extra tropical vibes.

Avoid: Choceur Dark Chocolate made with 49% cocoa

The appearance of Aldi's Choceur Dark Chocolate made with 49% cocoa was very dark, bordering on black. It had a snappy texture when broken into pieces, which is a sign of quality dark chocolate. However, it had a surprisingly mild flavor for such dark chocolate. It was almost possible to detect notes of coffee beans after the initial few bites, but the aftertaste quickly dissolved into something more nondescript. While it wasn't awful, and can certainly do the job, dark chocolate lovers might do better to pass on this one for a dark chocolate with more character.

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Avoid: Choceur Hazelnut Crisp Milk Chocolate

Straddling the line between "keep" and "pass," the Choceur Hazelnut Crisp Milk Chocolate was ultimately classified a "pass" due to its difficult-to-interpret flavor. The individual packaging of these chocolate bars was much appreciated. One box contains 11 individually wrapped servings, which is convenient and keeps uneaten chocolate fresh. The bars are filled with a creamy yet crunchy hazelnut, cornflake, and rice "crisp" combo (in theory, this sounds incredible). The difference between the chocolate and the filling made for an interesting bite and pleasant difference in textures (it was surprisingly satisfying to bite into the soft center). However, the filling was too sweet, with flavors that felt hard to identify. Pass on this one.

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Avoid: Choceur Honey Salted Almonds Milk Chocolate

The Choceur Honey Salted Almonds Milk Chocolate bar was one of the more interesting flavor combos, and it was a joy to eat the large, salted almonds throughout the chocolate bar. The almonds paired nicely with the traditional milk chocolate flavor, making this an outstanding milk chocolate almond bar. However, the honey was hard to find. It wasn't just missing from the flavor, either — the ingredients listed "less than 2% of honey" as the second to last ingredient. This chocolate, while tasty, needs more honey-forward flavor to be considered a honey-flavored chocolate bar.

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Avoid: Choceur Milk Creme Milk Chocolate

The Choceur Milk Creme Milk Chocolate is separated into convenient-to-eat individually wrapped bars. The smooth, silky filling has a delicious milk chocolate covering, and at first bite this chocolate starts off strong. The taste of the filling was a surprise, though. While this chocolate claims to be filled with a milk creme, buttermilk creme would be a more accurate description. The creme filling was unexpectedly tangy and leaned more toward buttermilk than the expected traditional milk flavor. The slightly sour taste wasn't awful, but it was surprising enough to detract from the overall experience.

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Avoid: Moser Roth Raspberry Almond Dark Chocolate

What's not to love about raspberries, almonds, and dark chocolate? This is a time-honored trio of deliciousness, but it didn't quite hit the mark in the Moser Roth Raspberry Almond Dark Chocolate bar. The raspberry flavor pops instantly and intensely with a bright, fruity burst. Unfortunately, it was on the verge of being too much and the aftertaste almost had a cough-syrup-flavored vibe that took away from the overall experience. The crunch from the almonds was just right and the chocolate was smooth, but the raspberry aftertaste lingered a little too long. Pass on this ... unless fruit and chocolate is your jam (and even then, be prepared for something extra sweet).

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Avoid: Moser Roth Sea Salt & Caramel

The Moser Roth Sea Salt & Caramel sounded amazing, but didn't quite make the "keep" cut. It was mild dark chocolate, which pairs nicely with caramel. If you prefer a more traditional dark flavor, this won't be your first choice, although it does have the quintessential bitter aftertaste. The crunchy texture of the sea salt and caramel flakes was enjoyable, and satisfying to eat. It was too bad, then, that the caramel's flavor was hard to detect. With a more robust caramel profile, this chocolate caramel combo bar would probably be a "keeper" — but the chocolate overwhelms the caramel too much.

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Avoid: Moser Roth Madagascan Vanilla White Chocolate

White chocolate is known for having a rich, buttery texture. Aldi's Moser Roth Madagascan Vanilla White Chocolate wasn't far off from that, but it left a slightly greasy feel in the mouth. It started with a sour (although not unpleasantly so) yet oversweet flavor and had an intense, sugary aftertaste. White chocolate is made with cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids (like milk powder), lecithin, and vanilla. In this case, it tasted like it had a little too much vanilla flavoring added to the recipe. While it was okay, it wasn't anything to write home about, and white chocolate lovers should look elsewhere for their white chocolate.

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How I stacked all the chocolate

I sampled 21 chocolate bars from Aldi's two primary chocolate brands: Moser Roth and Choceur. Each chocolate was evaluated based on taste, including factors like flavor complexity, sweetness, texture, and overall quality.

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