Americans consume over 11 pounds of chocolate per person each year, yet many Americans remain uninformed about the delicacy that is chocolate.

Buying chocolate may seem like a daunting task, but in reality, picking out delicious chocolate can be as easy as eating chocolate cream pie.

The first thing to consider when buying chocolate is the cacao content percent of the bar. The higher this number, the darker the chocolate will be. Milk chocolate generally has between 20 to 60% cacao, while dark chocolate is any chocolate with a cacao content greater than 60%. White chocolate does not contain any cocoa liquor, the base of chocolate, only cocoa butter.

This number also tells you how bitter the chocolate is. For the average consumer, a bar in the semi-sweet range (50-65%) has just the right amount of bitterness, sugar, creaminess, and chocolate decadence.

The next thing to consider is the chocolate manufacturer. Generally, opting for a higher end chocolatier, like Ghiradelli or Godiva, will get you a more flavorful chocolate than purchasing from a company like Hershey’s. Better yet, skip the big names and opt for a local, artisan chocolatier, like Theo, where you will generally find a happy medium between affordability and quality.

Another important factor to consider is the flavors and textures added to the chocolate. For many, like Ms. Emily Birch, the texture is one of the most important factors, saying that “I really enjoy dark chocolate with a bite to it.”

Mr. Patrick Holmes looks first to where the chocolate is produced, saying that “I love Toblerone, but only from Europe.” Holmes goes on to say that there is no American chocolate comparable.

Mr. Joe Baillargeon admits that his favorite chocolate is just a classic Hershey’s bar, explaining that “I grew up on Hershey’s chocolate and love it.”

Whatever your chocolate preference, use this guide to help you to find the best chocolate this February!