Does Pascha contain dairy or gluten?

No. Pascha is manufactured in a dedicated facility that is free from the top 8 allergens, including dairy, gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and eggs.

Is Pascha good for weight loss?

It can be. With only 2g of added sugar and 7g of fat per serving, it is a high-satiety treat that fits well into a calorie-controlled diet if portion sizes are managed.

Where can I buy Pascha?

Pascha chocolate is widely available at major retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Target, as well as online through Amazon and their direct website.

Is Pascha safe for kids?

Yes, because it is free from the top 8 allergens, it is a safer option for children with food allergies. However, it does contain caffeine and theobromine from the cocoa, so moderation is advised.

Is Pascha Vegan? A Food Scientist's Deep Dive into the Ingredients

The short answer is: **MAYBE**. Pascha chocolate is a strong contender for vegans, as it is free from obvious animal products like milk and eggs. However, strict ethical vegans may want to pause at the organic cane sugar. While the ingredients list looks clean, the processing of sugar in the United States often involves bone char, creating a gray area for those avoiding all animal byproducts.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the formulation. Pascha markets itself as organic and free from common allergens, which gives it a head start in the vegan category. Let's look at the core components found in their dark chocolate varieties.

The primary ingredients are Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cane Sugar, and Organic Cocoa Butter. The Chocolate Liquor (sometimes called cocoa mass) is simply ground cocoa beans; it is naturally vegan and provides the intense flavor. Organic Cocoa Butter is the fat extracted from the cocoa bean; it is 100% plant-based and gives the chocolate its smooth mouthfeel.

The potential issue lies in the Organic Cane Sugar. In the United States, many refined sugars—both conventional and organic—are processed using bone char (charred animal bones) to filter and whiten the sugar. While the USDA Organic certification prohibits the use of bone char in the processing of organic sugar, strict vegans often remain cautious because traceability can be difficult. Pascha does not explicitly claim to be 'Certified Vegan' on the front of the package, which suggests they acknowledge this potential gray area.

Finally, we must consider cross-contamination. Pascha is a dedicated top-8 allergen-free facility. This is a huge plus. They explicitly avoid peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, wheat, soy, and eggs. This eliminates the risk of whey or casein (milk derivatives) sneaking in via shared equipment, a common issue with many other chocolate brands.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

sugar

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Pascha fits well into a whole-food or plant-based diet, provided you monitor your sugar intake. A standard serving (roughly 15-20g) contains approximately 7g of total fat, with 4.5g being saturated fat. Since cocoa butter is the only fat source, this is a plant-based saturated fat, which is chemically different from animal fats but should still be consumed in moderation.

In terms of carbohydrates, the chocolate contains 6g per serving, with 2g of dietary fiber and 2g of added sugars. This is a relatively low sugar content compared to mass-market candy bars, making it a decent option for those watching their glycemic index. The protein content is low at 2g, which is typical for chocolate but not a significant protein source. Overall, the nutritional profile is clean: zero cholesterol, zero sodium, and a decent amount of iron and potassium.