Top Cocoa Powder Brands: A Gourmet's Delight

Cocoa powder, a versatile ingredient commonly used in baking and beverages, comes in a variety of quality and flavors from different brands worldwide. From the rich and intense taste of Dutch-processed options to the more natural and slightly bitter varieties, selecting the right brand can significantly enhance your culinary creations. Companies like Ghirardelli, Hershey's, Valrhona, and Green & Black’s are renowned for producing some of the finest cocoa powders, each offering its own unique character and palette of flavors. To help you find the perfect cocoa powder for your needs, we've compiled a detailed list of top brands below.

Illustration of cocoa powder

Best brands of cocoa powder in 2025

Valrhona

Valrhona is renowned as one of the best producers of cocoa powder, offering a high-quality, intense, and rich product. Their cocoa powder is Dutch-processed, which involves alkalization to neutralize acidity and enhance flavor and color. Valrhona ensures traceability, with 86% of their cocoa already mapped to its original plot, aiming for 100% by the end of 2024 to combat deforestation and reduce carbon footprints. Their cocoa powder is highly regarded for its exceptional finesse and is used globally in gourmet recipes and baking. The company's commitment to sustainability and fair practices further solidifies its reputation.

Ghirardelli

Ghirardelli, America's longest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer, is renowned for its high-quality cocoa powder, controlling the entire chocolate-making process from cocoa bean to finished product. Founded in 1852, Ghirardelli has maintained its commitment to excellence, selecting top-quality beans and subjecting them to rigorous proprietary testing. By 2020, Ghirardelli achieved a significant milestone with 100% of its chocolate's cocoa beans being traceable back to the farmers and externally verified, benefiting over 91,000 farmers through the Lindt & Sprungli Farming Program. Ghirardelli's cocoa powders, such as the Majestic Dutch Process and Natural cocoa powders, are non-GMO, 100% cacao, and free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The brand's products have seen significant growth, with Ghirardelli generating USD 812 million in sales in 2023, reflecting an 11.6% organic growth.

Guittard

Guittard Chocolate Company is renowned for its high-quality cocoa powder, with a legacy spanning over 150 years since its founding in 1868. Their Organic Natural Cocoa Powder, with a cocoa butter content of 22/24%, is ideal for baking and drinking, retaining the flavor-forward brightness of organic beans. Guittard sources premium cocoa beans from select regions, including West Africa, to create distinct flavor profiles. The company's commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing is evident through their Cultivate Better program, which supports cocoa farmers and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. With a strong focus on quality and flavor, Guittard's cocoa powder is a favorite among discerning bakers. For more about their premium baking products, visit Guittard's premium baking chips page.

Callebaut

Callebaut, as the world's leading manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate, stands out for its high-quality cocoa powder, derived from a blend of West African beans and flavored with beans from other African regions, Latin America, and Asia. With a fine texture and great solubility, Callebaut's cocoa powder is ideal for flavouring, colouring, and texturing various desserts and beverages. The company processes over 25% of the world's cocoa production and reported a sales revenue increase of 23.1% in local currencies for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2023/24, driven by significant cocoa price rises. Despite global cocoa shortages, Callebaut continues to deliver robust products, including cocoa powder with a solid chocolaty taste and warm, red-brown colour. The company's commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in its BC Next Level initiatives and the Future Farming Initiative.

Navitas Organics

Navitas Organics is a pioneering brand in the superfood industry, particularly renowned for its high-quality organic cacao powder. Since its inception in 2003, the company has committed to regenerative organic farming and sustainable practices, ensuring its products are rich in nutrients and minimal in heavy metals, with the cacao powder containing only 0.4mcg/g of cadmium and 0.01mcg/g of lead. The cacao powder is Fairtrade certified, non-alkalized, and packed with antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like iron and magnesium. Navitas Organics experienced significant growth, with over 30% increase from 2019 to 2021, reflecting its strong market presence. The brand's dedication to health and sustainability has made it a leader in the superfood category.

Droste

Droste is renowned as one of the best producers of cocoa powder, leveraging Dutch craftsmanship and a meticulous production process since 1863. The brand is committed to excellence, from inspecting and processing raw cocoa beans to tempering the solidified chocolate, ensuring a rich and flavorful experience. Droste's Dutch-process cocoa powder, available in 8.8 ounce packages, is kosher for Passover and all-year use, making it a versatile choice for baking and drinking. The company's vigilant production process and use of the finest ingredients result in a superior taste that sets it apart from mass-market brands. With its long history and dedication to quality, Droste continues to be a preferred choice for those seeking high-quality cocoa powder. For more details, you can explore their selection of cocoa products on the official site.

Hershey’s

Hershey's is a leading global producer of cocoa powder and chocolate products, with a rich history dating back to 1894 when Milton S. Hershey founded the company. As the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America and the second-largest worldwide, Hershey's commands a significant market share, with over 80 brands sold in more than 70 countries. The company is known for its iconic products such as Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, Hershey's Kisses, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Hershey's has a strong commitment to sustainability, particularly through its Cocoa For Good program, a 12-year, $500 million investment aimed at creating a more resilient and sustainable cocoa supply chain. The company's focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability has enabled it to maintain a premium pricing strategy and a loyal consumer base.

Rodelle

Rodelle Kitchen is renowned for its high-quality, organic baking cocoa, which is one of the few alkalized, organic cocoa powders available, ensuring consistent results in baking. Their Dutch-processed cocoa powder offers a rich, deep chocolate flavor and a darker appearance, making it ideal for recipes like chocolate cakes and fudgy brownies. Rodelle's cocoa is made from 100% cacao, packed with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iron. The product is gluten-free, kosher-certified, and produced in a facility in the USA. It is available in 25oz BPA-free and resealable plastic bags.

Scharffen Berger

Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker is renowned for its high-quality cocoa products, including its natural cocoa powder, which contains 15 calories per 5g serving and is rich in fat and protein. Established in 1996 by John Scharffenberger and Robert Steinberg, the company is the first American chocolate maker in 50 years to produce chocolate "from bean to bar." Scharffen Berger is particularly known for its dark chocolate varieties, with cocoa solid content ranging from 41% to 82%. The company's commitment to quality and sustainability is evident in its sourcing of cacao beans from specific growers worldwide and its involvement in cocoa sustainability programs. Scharffen Berger's products have garnered praise, including from Chef Julia Child, who praised their chocolate as the best she had tasted in the United States.

Green & Black's

Green & Black's is a leading organic confectionery brand, particularly renowned for its high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate products. Founded in 1991 by Craig Sams and Josephine Fairley, the company revolutionized the UK chocolate market with its intense, dark chocolate, achieving a phenomenal growth of 544% in sales from PS4.5 million to PS29 million between 2002 and 2005. By May 2006, Green & Black's commanded a 7.4% share of the UK block chocolate market, a significant rise from its initial less than 1% share. The brand's success is attributed to its focus on luxury premium chocolate with organic credentials, and its effective marketing strategies. Green & Black's was acquired by Cadbury Schweppes in 2005, further solidifying its position in the market.