Top Chocolate Brands for Perfect Melting Moments

Melting chocolate is a delightful culinary component that can elevate desserts, fondue, and baked goods to a new level of decadence. Choosing the right brand is crucial for achieving that perfect smooth texture and rich flavor. Renowned names in the culinary world offer a variety of options, ensuring that whether you're a home baker or a professional chef, there’s a brand that caters to your needs. Explore the list below to find the best melting chocolate brands that will add an irresistible touch to your sweet creations.

Illustration of melting chocolate

Best brands of melting chocolate in 2025

Valrhona

Valrhona is renowned as one of the best producers of melting chocolate, known for its high-quality and luxurious products. Founded in 1922 by French pastry chef Alberic Guironnet, Valrhona specializes in gastronomic chocolate, offering a range of products including plain and flavored chocolate bars, bulk chocolate, and vintage chocolates made from single-year harvests. Their white chocolates, such as the 35% Ivoire and 33% Opalys, are highly praised for their silky texture and fresh flavor profiles. Valrhona's chocolates are ground to a fine 14/15 mm during the refining phase, ensuring a smooth and consistent melt. The company is also committed to ethical and sustainable practices, holding a B Corp certification since 2020. Learn more about Valrhona's rich history and commitment to quality.

Callebaut

Callebaut, a renowned brand under the Barry Callebaut group, is esteemed for its high-quality melting chocolate, particularly its coverture chocolate, which contains high amounts of cocoa butter. Founded in 1911 by Octaaf Callebaut, the company has been a preferred choice for gourmet and culinary professionals due to its consistent taste and workability. Notably, Callebaut introduced callets in 1988, small drop-shaped chocolate pieces that optimize dosing, melting, and tempering. The company also pioneered sustainable cocoa cultivation with its 'Growing Great Chocolate' program launched in 2012, ensuring all of its Finest Belgian Chocolates support sustainable practices. Callebaut's commitment to quality is further underscored by its ISO-9002 certification for constant care in quality. For more information, visit their official website.

Ghirardelli

Ghirardelli, founded in 1852, is renowned for its high-quality melting chocolate, utilizing a rigorous selection process where up to 40% of cocoa seeds are rejected to ensure only the best are used. The company's innovative Broma process enhances the purity and flavor of their chocolate, making it a staple in the industry. Ghirardelli's melting wafers, made with high-quality cocoa powder and the right amount of sugar, offer a smooth-as-silk texture and lustrous sheen without the need for tempering. These wafers are certified kosher and come in resealable packages, making them ideal for creating various treats like truffles, dipped strawberries, and pretzels. Since its acquisition by Lindt & Sprungli in 1998, Ghirardelli has continued to elevate the premium chocolate market.

Guittard

Guittard Chocolate Company stands out as one of the best producers of melting chocolate, with a rich history spanning over 150 years since its founding in 1868. Known for its high-quality couverture chocolate made using traditional French methods, Guittard caters to 85% of food industry professionals and pastry chefs. The company's meticulous process involves roasting, winnowing, grinding, refining, conching, and tempering to ensure optimal flavor and texture. Guittard's products, such as their 45% dark milk chocolate bars, are highly acclaimed for their unique flavor profiles. With a commitment to protecting diverse cocoa flavors and supporting farmers, Guittard continues to be a leader in the American chocolate industry.

Scharffen Berger

Scharffen Berger is renowned as one of the best producers of melting chocolate, particularly noted for their high-quality, bean-to-bar approach. Founded in 1996 by Dr. Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger, the company sources the finest cacao beans from various origins to create exquisite flavor profiles. Their commitment to preserving the true flavors of cacao, without excessive sugar or additives, has garnered a devoted following among bakers and makers. Scharffen Berger's 62% cocoa content semi-sweet chocolate, for example, is highly regarded for its complex flavor and glossy appearance. The company's dedication to quality is evident in their careful selection of beans and traditional manufacturing methods. For more information, visit the Scharffen Berger page on the Chocosphere website.

Lindt

Lindt & Sprungli is renowned for its high-quality chocolate, making it an excellent choice for melting chocolate in various recipes. The company has consistently delivered strong annual results, with sales reaching CHF 4.97 billion in 2023, an 8.4% year-on-year increase, and a notable 15.7% organic growth in North America. Lindt's commitment to quality is evident in its production process, which involves ensuring the excellence of cocoa beans and maintaining high standards in its factories in Europe and the US. The brand's Lindor truffles, introduced in 1969, are a testament to its quality and popularity, with billions produced annually. Lindt's chocolate quality has been praised by customers, with a 76.2% positive sentiment regarding its chocolate quality.

Cacao Barry

Cacao Barry, a component of Barry Callebaut, is renowned for its high-quality melting chocolate, tracing its roots back to 1842 when Charles Barry discovered cocoa beans in Africa. By 1952, Cacao Barry was active in the entire chocolate production process, from bean to gourmet chocolate. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a preferred choice for chocolatiers and pastry chefs, with Barry Callebaut producing over 2.3 million tonnes of cocoa and chocolate annually as of the 2021/2022 fiscal year. Their products, such as the 'Callets' introduced in 1988, have revolutionized the way artisanal chocolatiers work with chocolate, making dosing, melting, and tempering easier and more efficient. This dedication to excellence has solidified Cacao Barry's position as a leading producer of melting chocolate.

Green & Black’s

Green & Black's is a renowned brand that transformed from a niche organic chocolate maker to a leading premium chocolate producer, achieving a phenomenal 544% growth in sales from £4.5 million to £29 million between 2002 and 2005. This made it the fastest-growing confectionery brand in the UK, capturing a 7.4% share of the UK block chocolate market by May 2006. Known for its intense, darker chocolate with 70% cocoa solids, Green & Black's successfully competed against larger established brands. The brand's focus on quality and effective marketing strategies contributed to its significant market success. Acquired by Cadbury Schweppes in 2005, Green & Black's continues to be a premium choice for those seeking high-quality chocolate. To learn more about how Green & Black's took a niche brand to the big league, visit their detailed marketing case study.

Michel Cluizel

Michel Cluizel is a renowned bean-to-bar chocolate maker, celebrated for its high-quality melting chocolates produced from carefully selected cocoa beans. Founded in 1948 in Damville, Normandy, the company is known for its 'Noble Ingredients' program, launched in 1999, which ensures the use of pure cocoa butter and real bourbon vanilla pods, excluding artificial flavors and GMO ingredients. Michel Cluizel produces a range of single-origin chocolates, such as the 65% Mangaro from Madagascar and the 70% Riachuelo from Brazil, highlighting the unique terroir of each plantation. With over 200 employees and production facilities in France and the United States, the company maintains a strong commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and modern manufacturing methods. Michel Cluizel's chocolates are distributed globally, including through their own stores in Paris and New York City. For more details, visit the Michel Cluizel website.

Belcolade

Belcolade, a renowned brand under Puratos, is celebrated for its high-quality Belgian chocolate, particularly esteemed for its melting chocolate products. Produced exclusively in Belgium since 1988, Belcolade chocolates are crafted from carefully selected cocoa beans, ensuring an exquisite taste that meets consumer expectations. The brand offers a diverse range of products, including powerful dark chocolate, subtle milky flavors, and sustainable options certified by Fairtrade, UTZ, and Rainforest Alliance. Belcolade's commitment to innovation and quality is evident in its Cacao-Trace(tm) program, which ensures high-quality beans and supports farmers with a EUR0.10 "Chocolate Bonus" per kilo of chocolate sold. This dedication has made Belcolade a trusted partner for professional chocolatiers and confectioners worldwide.