Two major holidays will soon be celebrated by Muslims all over the world — Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. You may wish to mark this sacred occasion with a sentimental gift, or a chocolate (or two!) But, is chocolate even allowed?

Disclaimer: Our products for Eid do not contain alcohol or gelatine. However, we do handle alcohol in our factory and therefore we are not Halal certified.

From the 10th of March to the 9th of April, Muslims around the world will be observing Ramadan — the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is believed that during this time, the Holy Qur’an was sent down from heaven as a source of guidance for humanity, making it an impactful occasion for many. 

Following this is the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This marks the end of dawn-to-sunset fasting which is done during Ramadan for Muslims to feel more connected to their religion. It is common for friends and family to celebrate the end of Ramadan during Eid al-Fitr with special gifts and celebrations.

If you have a loved one who celebrates these holidays, you may be wondering whether it’s appropriate to offer them chocolate, or a chocolate gift, for the occasion.

Can Muslims eat chocolate during Ramadan and Eid?

Muslims can eat anything considered halal from sunset to sunrise. They call the food eaten in the early morning before sunrise Suhoor. In contrast, they refer to the food eaten after sunset in the evening hours as Iftar.

However, the cacao conundrum tasks many people: is eating chocolate during Ramadan a vice or a virtue? Nutrition experts recommend that Muslims consume nutritious and balanced meals during their fast to maintain energy levels throughout the day. Therefore, they do not recommend consuming an excess of sweet, sugary foods. Throughout the day hours. With this in mind, an excess of sweet, sugary foods is not recommended. But where does that leave high-quality chocolate?

High-quality chocolate for Ramadan

Whilst chocolates that are high in sugar might not be ideal as a gift for Ramadan observers, high-quality chocolate may be a more suitable alternative. Why? Low-sugar, high-cacao chocolates offer a range of health benefits that may aid someone through the Ramadan fast.

Our manifesto is ‘More Cacao, Less Sugar’, as we believe in the power of the humble, nature-positive cacao bean. Due to this, it will always be our number one ingredient. From our 100% Dark Chocolate Batons to cacao in its bold, rich hot chocolate form — there are plenty of nutritious chocolate options to choose from.

Cacao has been scientifically proven to:

• Support cardiovascular health
• Improve blood pressure
• Improve brain health
• Improve blood flow
• Reduce memory decline
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower the risk of heart disease

For some further reading, take a look at this research surrounding cacao and health.

Guidance surrounding chocolate during Ramadan and Eid

Many Muslims opt for foods that do not contain too much salt, sugar, caffeine, and fat. As we’ve briefly touched upon, this is because these ingredients can increase the impact of fatigue and exhaustion caused by the Ramadan fast.

While there’s no avoiding the fact that cacao contains trace amounts of caffeine, according to the USDA, one teaspoon of cacao nibs only contains about 4.6 milligrams of caffeine. However, this is nowhere near the amount found within a typical cup of coffee, holding 96 milligrams of caffeine.

From the health benefits we’ve discussed already, it’s a task of weighing up the advantages of cacao and knowing how your body responds to chocolate during a fast.

Whether you choose to consume chocolate during Ramadan is a personal preference. Ultimately, it’s down to how your body responds to the chocolate in question.

Our favourite Ramadan and Eid chocolate gifts

At Hotel Chocolat, we’re proud to have a selection of Eid Chocolate Gifts to mark the wondrous occasion of Ramadan. All of the products in this collection do not contain gelatin or alcohol, however, please note that we do handle alcohol in our factory.

From wow-worthy chocolate gifts to chocolate boxes made for sharing, our chocolates are a thoughtful way to wish them a happy and healthy Eid Mubarak.

The Velvetiser

A show-stopping gift, offering your loved one the chance to indulge in a cup of cacao — this time, the way it’s supposed to be experienced. Available for only £69.95 for VIP.ME members, our Velvetiser took the world by storm for a reason. Where Mayan ingenuity and urban engineering meet, gift your loved one The Velvetiser alongside some of our richest, grated drinking chocolate for bold flavour. Just add dairy or plant milk.

The Patisserie Sleekster

Our patisserie-inspired sleekster is filled to the brim with 27 chocolates, inspired by some of the most-loved desserts. Think of the snap as you bite into our White Chocolate Tart, followed by the zing tartness of the Chocolate Orange Pot.

The Classic Cabinet – Alcohol-Free

Made to share with the whole family, The Classic Cabinet is our sophisticated collection of 61 truffles, pralines, caramels, and more. Open the lid and slide open the cabinet’s drawer for a tasting experience the whole family can enjoy. When we say The Classic Cabinet has chocolate for every taste, we’re not exaggerating. Cast your eyes over our fruity chocolate and caramel chocolate selections, all the way over to our dark and milk chocolate varieties.

Taste: Most Wanted Collection

For the chocolate lover who wants a bit of everything all at once, our Most Wanted Collection is here to deliver. It’s a generous concoction of our best-selling creations. Within this quaint yet fully-filled gift box, you’ll find a Patisserie H-box, two of our best-selling hot chocolate sachets, a Chocolat shortbread, and a glorious solid chocolate Caramel Slab. There’s more — you’ll also get a pack of our Chocolate Macarons, with each mouthful uniting light hazelnut whip between solid milk chocolate discs.

Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger

The true flavour experience — spicy stem ginger sticks that have been soaked in syrup until tender, then enrobed in our 70% dark chocolate. Our Dark Chocolate Covered Ginger is perfect for snapping and nibbling on. Feel the fresh and uplifting kick of real ginger with every satisfying bite.

Celebrate Ramadan and Eid with the help of Hotel Chocolat

This Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, celebrate the occasion with luxury chocolate. Designed with flavour and quality in mind, our Eid Chocolate Gifts aren’t to be missed. Why not see how our staff celebrate Islam’s holy month?

No matter whether you’re sharing with friends, or family, or as a moment for yourself, our chocolates will always be there to help you celebrate the moment during this insightful month.