Dark Chocolate without Soy
It’s no secret that dark chocolate is good for you. In addition to being high in antioxidants, it has been shown to improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and promote better brain function.
Do you know many chocolates have soy? But what if you can't eat soy? In this blog, we will answer your queries including why soy is added to chocolate and how is it added.
What is Soy?
Soy is a legume that is native to East Asia. It is a versatile crop that can be used for food, animal feed, and even biofuel. The main component of soybeans is protein. In fact, soybean meal is one of the most common sources of protein for livestock feed.
Soy is a common ingredient in many processed foods. It can be found in products like tofu, soy milk, and veggie burgers. Soy is also added to some bread, crackers, and cereals as a source of protein.
Why do Dark Chocolates contain Soy?
Soy is often added to dark chocolate as a way to keep the chocolate from melting. When chocolate melts, it does so at a lower temperature than other fats. This means that when soy is added to chocolate, it can help keep the chocolate from melting in your hand or in warm weather.
Soy can also help improve the texture of dark chocolate. It can make the chocolate smoother and creamier.
Soy can also help extend the shelf life of dark chocolate by preventing the formation of crystals.
How Soy is added to Chocolates?
The most common way that soy is added to chocolate is through the use of soy lecithin. This is a byproduct of the production of soybean oil and it acts as an emulsifier. It helps to keep the cocoa butter and other ingredients in chocolate from separating.
Soy lecithin is found in many types of food, not just chocolate. It’s a common ingredient in baking, for example. But because it’s derived from soybeans, it can be a problem for people with soy allergies.
What is Soy Lecithin?
Soy lecithin is a type of fat derived from soybeans. It's often used as an additive in processed foods and cosmetics. Although it's generally considered safe, some people may have allergic reactions to soy lecithin.
Soy lecithin is extracted from soybean oil and is made up of several different compounds, including phospholipids, triglycerides, and essential fatty acids. Phospholipids are a type of fat that's essential for cell membranes, while triglycerides are a type of fat that's often found in processed foods.
Essential fatty acids are necessary for human health but can't be produced by the body. They must be obtained through diet or supplements.
Why Soy Free Dark Chocolate bars are getting popular?
As the number of people with soy allergies continues to rise, the demand for soy-free products has also increased. This includes soy-free dark chocolate.
There are a few reasons why soy-free dark chocolate is becoming more popular,
First, as we mentioned, soy allergies are on the rise. This means that more and more people are looking for products that don't contain soy.
Second, many people believe that soy lecithin can have negative health effects. Some studies have linked soy lecithin to hormone disruption and cancer.
Thirdly, many people believe that soy-free products are healthier because they don't contain any genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Soy is one of the most common GMO crops, so avoiding soy can help you avoid GMOs.
Fourth, some people simply prefer the taste of soy-free dark chocolate. They find that it has a richer, more intense flavour.
Finally, soy-free dark chocolate is better for the environment. Soybeans are a major source of deforestation, so avoiding soy can help reduce the impact on the environment.
How to identify Soy-free Chocolates?
The first thing you should do is identify whether your dark chocolate contains soy. Most countries have regulations that require that all food products that contain soy must be labelled as such.
The best way to identify soy-free chocolates is by looking at the list of ingredients. If it contains any form of soybean or its derivatives like lecithin, soy milk, etc., then it is not soy-free chocolate.
However, many companies will try to sneak soy into their products by labelling it as "vegetable oil" or "hydrogenated vegetable oil.
The second way to identify these chocolates is by looking for a symbol or certification from the manufacturer that confirms that their product is indeed soy-free.
Another way to identify soy-free chocolates is by looking for a certification seal on the package. The Non-GMO Project Verified or Vegan Action seal is a good indicator that a product does not contain soy.
Another way to identify soy-free chocolates is by checking the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers provide detailed information about their products on their websites. You can check this information to see if a particular chocolate product is soy-free or not.
Benefits of consuming Soy-Free Chocolates
Chocolate is one of the most popular sweet treats in the world. But for some people, soy allergies can make enjoying chocolate a challenge.
Soy-free chocolate is made without using any soy-based ingredients, making it a great option for those with soy allergies or sensitivities.
There are many benefits to consuming soy-free chocolate, including:
1. It's less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
2. Chocolate without soy lecithin may be easier to digest for some people.
3. It can be a good source of antioxidants and other nutrients.
4. Organic Dark chocolate can be a delicious and guilt-free treat!
Go Soy-Free!!
Whatever the reason, soy-free dark chocolate is becoming more and more popular. And as the demand for soy-free products increases, more companies are beginning to offer soy-free dark chocolate bars.
Do you have any questions about dark chocolate without soy? Let us know in the comments!