Our Extra Special chocolate bars are made with only the finest ingredients. Here’s how...

We&rsquo;re incredibly proud of our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/search/extra%20special%20chocolate" target="_blank">Extra Special range of silky smooth and indulgent chocolate</a>.As well as working hard to produce truly delicious, quality bars, we consider the sustainability of the methods used to create each one. As a result, the chocolate is crafted in collaboration with carefully selected cocoa bean farmers and chocolatiers.<img alt="choc_prov__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov__square_GL?scl=1">‘Behind every bar is a story that spans continents &ndash; and it all starts with the cocoa bean,&rsquo; says Simon Wright from Icam Cioccolato, an Italian-based chocolatier that produces most of our <a href="http://From bean to bar: the story behind our chocolate bars" target="_blank">Extra Special chocolate bars</a>. ‘The beans used are grown in the rich, abundant soils of Peru, Ecuador and Madagascar. These have what&rsquo;s called “fine flavour”, which means they have a unique, distinctive taste.&rsquo;Only about 4% of the world&rsquo;s cocoa supply is defined as ‘fine&rsquo; &ndash; and we only ever use this in our <a href="http://From bean to bar: the story behind our chocolate bars" target="_blank">Extra Special chocolate</a>.But flavour is only part of the story. We take great care to ensure our cocoa is produced ethically by working with UTZ, a non-profit organisation that promotes sustainable farming around the world. UTZ provides training that helps farmers produce their cocoa using best-practice methods and makes sure our supply chain is independently verified.‘This means that not only is the way the beans are grown fair to the people we workwith, but they&rsquo;re kinder to the planet, too,&rsquo; says Simon.<img alt="choc_prov2__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov2__square_GL?scl=1">Once harvested, the cocoa beans are then sent to the chocolatiers to create the bars you see in store. ‘The family-run firm has been perfecting its craft for more than 70 years, working directly with farmers,&rsquo; says Simon. ‘I can honestly say the company is involved in the whole production process, from bean to bar.&rsquo;The roasting and grinding method of every batch of beans is subtly adjusted by the chocolatiers to extract the very best flavour. They then add other carefully selected natural ingredients, from <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/cake-decorations/asda-extra-special-madagascan-vanilla-extract/1000011190865" target="_blank">Madagascan vanilla</a> to mint oil, to make our great-tasting products.‘There are more cocoa solids and less sugar in each bar, compared to standard chocolate, so you&rsquo;ll find an intensity of fabulous flavour in every bite,&rsquo; adds Simon.<img alt="choc_prov3__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov3__square_GL?scl=1"> Our Extra Special chocolate is better for farmers, better for the planet, and delicious too! Take a look at our top three favourite flavours:<h2>Butter crunch</h2>Just when you thought chocolate couldn't get any better, along comes our <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/asda-extra-special-salted-butterscotch-milk-chocolate-bar/1000070571716" target="_blank">Extra Special Salted Butterscotch Milk Chocolate</a> offering. The bar comprises luscious milk chocolate swirled with butterscotch chunks. It makes for an indulgent sweet treat, even if we do say so ourselves. <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/asda-extra-special-salted-butterscotch-milk-chocolate-bar/1000070571716" target="_blank"><img alt="choc_prov_bars2__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov_GL?scl=1"></a><h2>Fresh Mint</h2>We've said it before and we'd say it again: mint and chocolate make for the perfect pairing. Bittersweet cocoa is highlighted with cool peppermint in our tempting <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/asda-extra-special-dark-chocolate-mint-indulgence/1000070571753">Extra Special Mint Dark Chocolate</a> bar. <img alt="choc_prov_bars3__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov_GL?scl=1"><h2>Berry dream:</h2>The packaging isn't the only great thing about our elegant <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/asda-extra-special-dark-chocolate-raspberry-indulgence/1000070571761">Extra Special Raspberry Dark Chocolate</a> bar. Once you take off the wrapper and try a piece, the chocolate zings with bursts of raspberry. What a treat! <img alt="choc_prov_bars4__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/choc_prov_bars4__square_GL?scl=1">Explore our delectable chocolate range at your <a href="https://storelocator.asda.com">local Asda store</a> or <a href="https://groceries.asda.com">shop online</a>.

From bean to bar: the story behind our chocolate bars

By Asda Good Living,1st June 2020

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