Popular chocolate flavours we can’t get enough of

From classic fruit and nut to tantalising mint, discover some of the nation’s best-loved chocolate flavours and fillings

Chocolate isn’t just an irresistible treat; it’s a canvas of flavours, textures, and nuanced tasting notes. While the classic milk, dark, and white chocolate lovers have their favourite type of chocolate bar, there’s something irresistibly intriguing about flavoured chocolates. Flavoured chocolate adds an extra layer of complexity and allure to an already divine experience, right? At Hotel Chocolat, we strive to offer you a flavour journey that exceeds your wildest chocolate dreams so you can keep coming back for more. With that said, let’s explore some of the most popular chocolate flavours and fillings.

How was flavoured chocolate invented?

The practice of flavouring chocolate has a long and complex history that stretches back to ancient Mesoamerican civilisations, including the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. 

Originally, cacao beans were used to make a bitter, frothy beverage that was often combined with spices and chilli peppers. The drink, considered sacred and medicinal, was a far cry from the more mellow chocolate we know today. 

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 16th century, they were initially put off by the bitterness of this strange beverage. However, they saw potential in the humble cacao bean that we know and love. They imported it to Europe, where sugar, cinnamon, and other sweet spices were added to make the beverage more palatable to European tastes. 

This sweetened form of chocolate gained immense popularity in aristocratic circles before spreading to the general population. Over time, as technology advanced and chocolate became available in a sustainable solid form, chocolatiers started introducing additional flavourings. From vanilla and mint to vibrant fruits, this paved the way for the array of chocolate flavours we enjoy today.

The most popular chocolate flavours 

Look beyond the wrapper and you’ll discover a plethora of popular chocolate flavours that add nuance, excitement, and a touch of luxury to the adored cocoa bean.

Based on our customers’ buying habits, these are the popular chocolate flavours that intrigue chocolate enthusiasts from around the world. Take a look and see if you can spot your favourite flavour. Chances are, there are lots of other chocolate aficionados out there who love it just as much as you.

Orange Chocolate

Orange and chocolate is a classic combination where the citrusy brightness of orange peel beautifully complements the sweet mellowness of chocolate. It’s tangy, it’s refreshing, and it revitalises the taste buds.

But, why do orange and chocolate work so well together? Orange chocolate holds a sense of nostalgia beneath the wrapper. With its tart and rich profile, many cacao aficionados love orange chocolate as it is reminiscent of Christmas memories from years gone by. In this way, the flavour of orange chocolate can transport you to specific memories and elicit emotions. It’s a tasting experience that is incredibly hard to forget, even if we wanted to.

Mint Chocolate

Mint chocolate provides a refreshing zing that heightens the cacao’s richness, making for an incredibly balanced bite. With its mood-boosting theobromine compounds, there’s a reason why mint can bring a stimulating emotional uplift with each nibble.

From the childhood favourite mint chocolate chip ice cream to after-dinner chocolates shared around the table, mint chocolate holds a special place in the hearts of many.

And while pure mint can be overpowering on its own, when tempered with smooth milk or dark chocolate, it creates a nuanced and heavenly flavour profile. Did you know it pairs well with white chocolate, too? Just give our Peppermint White Hot Chocolate a go for delicate notes of candy cane and an irresistibly creamy texture. 

Similar to orange chocolate, mint chocolate is incredibly versatile in form. From snappable mint creams a la our Peppermint Chocolate Selector to tipsy Mojito truffles, there’s something for everyone.

Strawberry Chocolate

What says romance better than the evocative paring of strawberries and chocolates? Here, ripe strawberries add a touch of sweetness while chocolate’s melt-in-the-mouth texture creates a feast for the senses. No wonder strawberry chocolate is adored by people of all ages and walks of life.

As humans, it’s in our very nature to feel love and affection for others. With heavy ties to Valentine’s Day, strawberry chocolate tends to have its own emotional and symbolic dimension, adding to its timeless allure.

Interestingly, strawberry chocolate also brings a sense of comfort and nostalgia to our inner child. If you think back to your favourite childhood treats and sweets, strawberry always seems to have a well-earned place in our younger flavour palates. 

Hazelnut Chocolate

Nutty hazelnut combines with chocolate to offer a rich, textured sensory and tasting experience that strikes a perfect balance between crunchy and smooth.

Since the emergence of a cult-classic nutty chocolate spread, it’s safe to say that hazelnut chocolate has become a staple in homes across the globe — and for excellent reason.

Coffee Chocolate

For many, the combination of coffee and chocolate is an unbeatable duo that delivers both richness and aromatic depth. 

This may not have been our favourite flavour combination when we were little due to its bold profile and notes of bitterness. However, coffee chocolate is a surefire way to tingle the taste buds and get the heart pumping when you have a fully developed palate.

Why are certain chocolate flavours so popular?

We all have unique ways of experiencing chocolate, but it’s clear to see that some flavour pairings gain almost universal appeal. So why do some combinations rise above the rest to become the most popular chocolate flavours across the board? Well, much of it is to do with chocolate’s bility to evoke emotions, memories, and sometimes even places from our past. As we’ve discussed, orange chocolate might remind you of heartfelt Christmas celebrations, mint-flavoured chocolate may evoke a refreshing summer afternoon, and strawberry-flavoured chocolate could bring to mind a range of romantic moments shared with loved ones. 

Ultimately, all of these flavours work in a complementary fashion with chocolate, creating a balanced sensory experience that makes them incredibly popular for consumption.

What are the most popular chocolate fillings?

While our focus is often on chocolate itself, fillings can elevate a humble piece of chocolate into a sublime, multi-dimensional taste experience. Contrast is key — biting into a crisp and snappable chocolate shell to reveal gooey caramel or smooth ganache provides us with an array of sensations. 

We’re particularly fond of salted caramel. Not only does its texture bring a buttery smoothness but it also teases the taste buds with a twist of sea salt for contrast and balance all at once.

Another fan-favourite at Hotel Chocolat is praline. Be it soft and truffle-like or satisfyingly crunchy, nutty praline is mellow yet well-rounded.   

The world of chocolate fillings and flavours is rich and diverse, so why not explore what’s on offer at Hotel Chocolat?

5 intriguing flavoured chocolates from Hotel Chocolat

Here are five of our best-selling flavoured chocolate delights. Take a look and maybe one (or multiple) will take your fancy. No matter how many you pop into your basket, we’ll never be here to judge.

1. Chocolate Orange Tangs

The citrus zing of orange marries perfectly with the deep, sophisticated notes of dark chocolate. Our Chocolate Orange Tangs are filled with the zestiest orange juice, set with a little pectin, and then enveloped in our signature dark chocolate.

Moulded into wonderfully snappable bars, you can either eat them whole or break them over a delicious bowl of creamy ice cream for an added zing. Or, if you want to push the boat out, why not melt a few in a steaming mug of warm milk to create a warming chocolatey drink? The choice is entirely up to you.

2. Mint Chocolate Royale Selector

Experience the refreshing burst of mint interspersed with our Mint Chocolate Royale Selector. 

Made with a blend of mint, caramel, white chocolate and 70% dark chocolate, this is a sumptuous treat for the mint chocolate lovers out there. Let the deep, rich notes of cacao cut through the mellowy tastes of butter-mint caramel and white crème.

3. Strawberry & White Chocolate Selector

Juicy strawberry fillings enveloped in creamy white chocolate create a fruit-forward indulgence. Our Strawberry & White Chocolate Selector includes crushed strawberries, made into a zingy purée, encased in our high cocoa butter white chocolate. It’s creamy, but never too sickly-sweet.

It’s the perfect representation of a classic combination, transformed into one handy bite-sized morsel. No matter if you’re on the go or chilling at home, these chocolates will always deliver with their timeless flavour.

4. Hazelnut Praline Chocolate Selector

Whole roasted hazelnuts are wrapped in a blanket of smooth milk chocolate, adding a satisfying crunch to your bite. As you can probably tell, our Hazelnut Praline Chocolate Selector is perfect for those who go nutty over nut chocolate.

In this handy-sized bite, you will find two plump, crunchy hazelnuts nestling within the chocolate pralines. These aren’t just any hazelnuts, however. These are Piedmont hazelnuts from Italy — world-renowned for their high quality and exquisite flavour. It truly is a hazelnut praline like no other.

5. Enrobed Cherries 

Tart cherries offer a juicy contrast to the dark chocolate, making for an exciting taste adventure. Our Enrobed Cherries are double-enrobed in milk and dark chocolate for a sumptuous, succulent bite. 

If you fancy something a bit more indulgent, check out our Cherry Deluxe Selector. We’ve dipped whole kirsch-soaked cherries into a luscious amaretto ganache, but that’s not all. Our chocolatiers then enrobe this wonderful concoction in 40% milk and 70% dark chocolate, creating what is sure to be an incredible flavour experience.

Warming, fruity, cacao-rich, and indulgent — what’s not to love about that?

Create your own chocolate flavour experience

With all this chat about chocolate flavours, we’ve definitely awoken our love for the variety that chocolate brings to the palate. Whether you’re into the classics or seeking something off the beaten path, Hotel Chocolat has a rich array of options to satisfy your chocolate cravings. 

Don’t settle for the ordinary when extraordinary is only a click away. Head over to our Chocolate Collection today to purchase your favourite flavour of chocolate. Treat yourself or your loved ones — because every moment is worth celebrating with chocolate.