Buying gluten-free chocolate shouldn't be difficult. Celiac disease doesn't have to banish you forever from enjoying sweet treats, especially, that most delectable of all candy--chocolate. Don't despair--creamy, rich and satisfying gluten-free chocolate is being made. Perhaps, you have wished for a simple way to buy gluten-free chocolate without spending hours in stores hunting it down. Today, gluten-intolerant people have a wide choice of foods tailored to their needs on the internet. With the rising awareness of Celiac disease and the realization that one percent of the American public suffers from this genetic-immune-response disorder, internet marketers have taken notice.

The problem is that some of these producers who are attempting to fill this need often do not fully understand the gluten-intolerant condition, and may be producing products which don't deserve the gluten-free label. Their products may be wheat free, but the companies may not be aware of cross contamination or problematic additives. In addition, the internet can have the sweet beckoning of a siren, enticing their viewers to buy with free-cooking classes, seminars, and other freebies, but don't be taken in. If you want to buy gluten-free chocolates, you need to distinguish between the reputable and the unreputable Web sites. Hopefully, this article will provide some guidance on buying gluten-free chocolate on the internet.

Chocolate-making is an extensive process. It originated with the Mayan and Aztec civilizations many centuries ago. Spanish conquistadors brought the cacao beans back to Europe where it became a popular drink. In the seventeenth century, chocolate houses began to open up in London. During the Industrial Revolution changes occurred which allowed factories to mass-produce chocolate bars. The best and creamiest chocolate is processed longer to acquire a smoother texture. The finest dark chocolate contains around 70 percent cocoa, and milk chocolate has around 50 percent cocoa. Premium white chocolate contains only about 33 percent cocoa since it is only made from the cocoa butter. When buying gluten-free chocolate look for the amount of cocoa used. Small chocolate producers argue that large companies use less cocoa in their candy, and that mass production results in a poor-quality chocolate. Gluten-free chocolate is mostly made by small companies, but some may use inferior ingredients to raise their profit margins.

If you have celiac disease, you most likely are an expert label reader because your health depends on it. Closely reading the ingredients on the label will be your best guide to buying a premium gluten-free chocolate. Whether you choose to order from the internet or buy at a specialty shop, be sure to double check that label carefully for information on what ingredients the company uses. Any reputable Web site will list their ingredients and nutritional information for their shoppers along with the detailed description of the candy. If the information isn't there, don't buy. If it is there, you can write down any questionable ingredients and check them out at medical Web sites devoted to helping people with celiac disease. One tip to look for in buying gluten-free chocolate, if the producers are using Belgian chocolate, you know the company believes in quality ingredients.