Dark chocolate is a form of chocolate containing only cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sugar. Dark chocolate without added sweetener is known as bitter chocolate or unsweetened chocolate. As with the other two main types of chocolate, dark chocolate is used for chocolate bars or as a coating in confectionery.

Chocolate, or cocoa, is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels that is available as a liquid, solid, or paste, either on its own or as a flavoring agent in other foods. Cacao has been consumed in some form for at least 5,300 years starting with the Mayo-Chinchipe culture in what is present-day Ecuador. Later Mesoamerican civilizations also consumed chocolate beverages before being introduced to Europe in the 16th century.