**TL;DR - Despite the fact that white chocolate is loved by many people across the world, the truth is it's not a real chocolate in the genuine sense of the word.** The blog on tcho.com (2018) informs us that in order for a product to qualify as a chocolate it must contain cocoa solids. And while Wikipedia confirms that white chocolate does not contain cocoa solids, it still defines white chocolate as a chocolate confection that is pale ivory in color, made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids and sometimes vanilla. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that for something to be called a chocolate, it has to contain at least 10% of cocoa mass. This includes the nibs and the cocoa fat that is part of the bean. Although, it should be noted that they don’t mention any specifics for the cocoa butter content. Well according to chocolatier Jason Vishnefske (2020) there is something strange in hearing the term “white chocolate” while so many people are disputing the fact that it is not a chocolate. In fact, he says it’s almost like when someone finds out a tomato is actually a fruit and not a vegetable. Vishnefske also sheds some more light on this situation by informing us that while many say white chocolate is not a chocolate, it should still be noted that it is a cocoa base product – just without cocoa fiber. And this right here, is where the issue arises as to whether it is considered a “real” chocolate. Apparently, the cocoa butter that comes from the cocoa beans don't contain any of the cocoa fiber that is required in order for it to be named as chocolate (this is a paradoxical loop hole in FDA definition and what perception is with everyone). Additionally, the website hedonisticchocolates.com (2018) says that determining whether white chocolate is “real” is more than just a matter of taste. Apparently, this is considered to be an actual legal issue with significant consequences for both chocolate and confectionery industries. Until recently though, the FDA considered white chocolate to be “confectionery” and not actually chocolate. So here we can already see that there were certain criteria which determined what "real" chocolate is. For example, chocolate must contain cocoa solids in order to be marketed as chocolate. However, this all changed in 2002 when the FDA established new criteria for white chocolate, which was in response to petitions from Hershey and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association of the United States. The new criteria currently dictates that for a product to be labeled and marketed as “white chocolate,” it must contain at least 20% cocoa butter, and least 14% milk solids, and 3.5% milkfat. Vishnefske verifies this and also adds that it doesn’t have to continue cocoa fiber. And while some white chocolates do meet this criteria, it needs to be pointed out that there are quite a few others that are questionable. This then, is also another contributory factor which negatively impacts and brings into question the "authentic" image of white chocolate. So while I agree that white chocolate is not a real chocolate in the true sense, especially based on the current evidence provided, I have to wonder what it should be classified as then? Should the word "chocolate" be removed and replaced? Sources: 1) White chocolate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_chocolate [accessed January 28, 2021]. 2) Is White Chocolate Actually Chocolate? https://tcho.com/blogs/news/is-white-chocolate-actually-chocolate [accessed January 28, 2021]. 3) Chocolate W. What is White Chocolate https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/blog/what-is-white-chocolate/ [accessed January 28, 2021]. 4) Is White Chocolate Actually Chocolate? https://hedonistchocolates.com/our-story/journal-of-a-hedonist/is-white-chocolate-actually-chocolate [accessed January 28, 2021].

**White chocolate is not technically a real chocolate but is still very nice and there is no harm calling it chocolate as it is known as 'white chocolate' worldwide** - White chocolate has no cocoa solids and in the UK chocolate has to have at least [25% of cocoa solids] (https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/blog/chocolateknowledge/what-does-cocoa-percentage-actually-mean.html) for it to be sold as chocolate - However white chocolate does [not have any cocoa solids] (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/for-those-who-think-white-chocolate-isnt-real-chocolate-have-we-got-bars-for-you/2017/11/24/24fb1ee8-cbc9-11e7-b0cf-7689a9f2d84e_story.html) but to be sold as chocolate it must have at least [20% cocoa butter] (https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/blog/chocolateknowledge/what-does-cocoa-percentage-actually-mean.html) - Despite White chocolate not actually technically being chocolate it is still very tasty and there's no harm calling it chocolate