If you want to start a confectionery business, you may be curious about what percentage of the population in the United States does not like chocolate.
The easy access to information via the Internet gives consumers an incredible amount of choice, meaning demand is constantly changing, further complicating matters.
Because chocolate not only tastes good but is also known to make you happy, most children and adults are active chocoholics. But again, there are exceptions. Did you know that a whopping 19% of the American population doesn't like chocolate?
By getting a more accurate picture of the population that doesn't like chocolate, you may want to supplement your core product (chocolate) with other products they do like.
If you're looking for reliable data on the share of people who don't like chocolate, you've come to the right place. The valuable information we've collected in this guide is based on insights from consumer behavior experts.
The percentage of Americans who don't like chocolate
To understand what percentage of Americans hate chocolate, consider what percentage love chocolate consumption. According to research,81% of the US populationlikes to eat chocolate and 50% can't live without it every day. The average American consumes about 9.5 pounds of chocolate annually.
The rest of the 19% do not like chocolate for various reasons. Before we dive into why this crowd doesn't like sweet things, let's first examine the global trends related to chocolate preferences and consumption.
Chocolate preferences around the world
Globally, about 27% of the population likes fine chocolate, 70% likes premium chocolate and 90% prefers regular chocolate. Global chocolate consumption is estimated to be at least 7.2 million tons. The leading chocolate manufacturers, Hershey's chocolate and Mars Inc. report annual net sales of $3.7 billion and $17 billion, respectively.
Switzerland belongs to the top of the group of chocoholics where the Swiss eat19,4 pondchocolate per per capita per year (more than double the figure for US consumers). The country is known for its excellent chocolate industry, with Toblerone being one of the most popular brands.
Now that you have a good idea of chocolate consumption patterns in the United States and around the world, it's time to understand why a certain segment continues to hate the product.
Why do some people hate chocolate?
Research shows that people's aversion or affinity for chocolate is largely determined by their genes. And in many cases, the motives of chocolate haters remain unspoken. Those who do not like chocolate are placed in one of two categories:
- Those who find all types of chocolate very bitter.
- Those who don't specifically like American chocolate.
They contain acidic chemicals
One reason some people don't like chocolate is that most of the mass-produced American chocolate is made from butyric acid, a chemical compound that creates a sour taste and odor that can even make consumers vomit.
In other words, there is a large overlap between food poisoning and the flavor profile of an American chocolate bar.
The chemical formed during the making of chocolate, called lipolysis, is used to break down the fatty acids in the milk. It is believed that American chocolate manufacturers are adding the acid to their bars in an attempt to copy Hershey's best-selling flavor.
However, there is a lack of evidence confirming that this chemical is dangerous to consume in limited doses. Furthermore, while the chemical may taste unpleasant to some people, other Americans are least concerned about the strong tingling taste.
Another element known to contribute to the vomit-like smell and taste of certain American chocolates is the emulsifier PGPR. But Hershey's claims that no more than 1% of the PGPR is present in the milk chocolate.
According to experts, about 25% of the population are super tasters. This means they are sensitive to strong tasting foods because they are born with more taste buds than the rest of the population. A single bite of sophisticated chocolate will make them complain about the bitterness of what should be sweet.
The need for sweetness
Some people find chocolate downright disgusting. This is because they consume a lot of processed food, junk food or sugar, so their palette requires a high level of sweetness with the chocolate flavor. When these people consume chocolate that does not meet their need for high sugar or salt, they will not find it tasty.
It's not that the chocolate isn't sweet, it's just that the chocolate isn't sweet enough to meet their expectations.
When such people consume chocolate, they only choose specific brands like Snickers, and that too for the peanuts and other elements that come with it, not specific to the chocolate.
Negative impact on health
Some Americans don't like chocolate simply because they are too conscious of their health. Chocolate consumption has been linked to obesity, which appears to be a growing problem in the United States.
A 2015 studyexamined the effect of chocolate sweets consumption on women's weight. This showed that women with a higher chocolate intake were more likely to gain weight than others.
In addition, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy says that chocolate consumption predisposes you to heartburn by reducing esophageal sphincter pressure. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also states that avoiding chocolate can help reduce gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.
Moreover, it is not surprising that any amount of chocolate consumption causes blood sugar levels to rise, leading to various complications such as cardiovascular problems. With a large number of American consumers living with diabetes, more and more people are choosing to avoid chocolate consumption.
Additionally, chocolate's relatively high calorie content means that consuming too much of it can easily lead to weight gain, which in turn increases the risk of heart problems.
With these health concerns in mind, many people choose fruits, vegetables, legumes and beans over chocolate.
