Candies, semisweet chocolate
FDC 167976serving (15 g)
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Density 11 · +2 vs Sweets medianSemisweet chocolate candies land in the Low band with a score of 11 of 100, yet that's still enough to rank 24th of 60 in the Sweets category, ahead of the median score of 9. The surprise is mineral density: magnesium reaches 27% DV, dietary fiber adds 21% DV, and iron contributes another 17% DV, numbers that are unusual for a candy.
These are the small dark morsels used for baking cookies, melting into ganache, or eating by the handful, with a typical serving around 15 g. The tradeoff is real: 54.5 g of sugar and 17.8 g of saturated fat per 100 g mean this stays a treat food rather than something to lean on for fiber or minerals day to day.
See how this score is calculated, build a plate around candies, or compare it with another food.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 480 kcal | 24% |
| Total fat | 30 g | 38% |
| Saturated fat | 18 g | 89% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 11 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 64 g | 23% |
| Dietary fiber | 5.9 g | 21% |
| Sugars | 55 g | |
| Protein | 4.2 g | 8% |
| Potassium | 365 mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 32 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% |
| Magnesium | 115 mg | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.26 mg | 2% |
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 72 kcal | 4% |
| Total fat | 4.5 g | 6% |
| Saturated fat | 2.7 g | 13% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 1.7 mg | 0% |
| Carbohydrate | 9.6 g | 3% |
| Dietary fiber | 0.89 g | 3% |
| Sugars | 8.2 g | |
| Protein | 0.63 g | 1% |
| Potassium | 55 mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 4.8 mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.47 mg | 3% |
| Magnesium | 17 mg | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin E | 0.04 mg | 0% |
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain
FDC 167976Original analysis by NutriVerdict
What it is rich in
Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
Versus the sweets median
Original analysis by NutriVerdict
More nutrient-dense swaps
Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.
Frozen yogurts, flavors other than chocolateDensity 13 vs 11Candies, milk chocolateDensity 13 vs 11Candies, milk chocolate coated coffee beansDensity 14 vs 11Original analysis by NutriVerdict
In the kitchen and how to use it
Semisweet chocolate is the workhorse of the baking aisle, showing up as chips folded into cookie dough, chunks melted into brownies, or bars chopped for a quick ganache to glaze a cake. It has more cocoa solids and less sugar than milk chocolate, giving it a firmer snap and a deeper, slightly bittersweet edge that balances out very sweet batters. Beyond baking, it is melted for dipping strawberries or pretzels, or eaten straight from a bag of chocolate chips as a dessert on its own.
Store it in a cool, dry spot away from direct heat and sunlight, warm conditions can cause a whitish bloom on the surface as fat or sugar migrates, though the chocolate is still fine to use. At 480 calories per 100 g, a 15 g serving comes to around 72 calories, so portioning matters if it is being eaten as a snack rather than baked into something. What is notable here is that the cocoa solids carry real minerals along with the sugar: 27% of the Daily Value for magnesium, 21% for fiber, and 17% for iron per 100 g, numbers not typically associated with a sweet, and a large part of why a small amount goes further than plain sugar candy would.
Frequently asked questions about candies
How many calories are in semisweet chocolate candies?
480 calories per 100 g; a typical 15 g serving comes to about 72 calories.
Is semisweet chocolate a source of magnesium?
Yes, it provides about 27% of the Daily Value for magnesium per 100 g, along with 21% DV fiber and 17% DV iron from the cocoa solids.
How should semisweet chocolate be stored?
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent the whitish bloom that can form on the surface in warm conditions.