Date Sweetened Dark Chocolate (60%)

60% Date-Sweetened Dark Chocolate from Matt at New Norm Brands in Dallas, Texas. A smooth, approachable dark chocolate made with just cocoa, organic dates, and cocoa butter, giving it a rounded sweetness without refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Sourcing & practices

Matt sources cacao from small-holder farms in South America and prioritizes high-quality, simple ingredients. Because cacao’s flavor can shift with its region, growing conditions, and harvest, each batch can carry its own natural nuance.

Chocolate is a “Goldilocks product,” as Matt puts it: particle size, humidity, and temperature all have to be just right. He carefully manages each variable to create a smooth bar with a satisfying melt.

What to expect

Smooth, rich, and gently sweet, with a rounder, more approachable cocoa profile than the 70% bar. The organic dates soften dark chocolate’s sharper edges while allowing the cocoa flavor to remain front and center.

Break off a piece whenever a chocolate craving strikes, melt it into hot milk for drinking chocolate, or use it as a topping for pancakes. Its balanced flavor also makes it an easy introduction for anyone beginning to explore darker chocolate.

About the maker

Matt began developing New Norm after removing refined sugar and artificial sweeteners from his diet in 2015 and discovering how few products offered simple ingredients without sacrificing flavor.

With no previous chocolate-industry experience, he immersed himself in the craft through books, videos, and plenty of trial and error. In 2024, he became a certified chocolatier through Ecole Chocolat. New Norm’s date-sweetened bars are the first step in his vision for naturally sweetened treats that taste every bit as good as their conventional counterparts.

Quick Details

• Made by: Matt Hoskisson, New Norm Brands
• Location: Dallas, TX
• Practices: Cacao sourced from small-holder farms in South America; made with three simple ingredients
• Size: 3.5 oz (100 g)
• Flavor: Smooth, cocoa-rich, and gently sweet
• Best for: Everyday snacking, newcomers to dark chocolate, drinking chocolate, and melting over pancakes
• Ingredients: Cocoa, organic dates, and cocoa butter
• Dietary details: Plant-based and made with no added sugar
• Storage: Ideally store between 55–75°F and away from direct sunlight; avoid extended exposure to temperatures above 80°F
• Allergen note: Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, tree nuts, peanuts, and wheat