Is this the key to healthier chocolate?

AS true chocolate lovers know, it’s not just taste but smoothness that makes for a truly indulgent treat.

And now scientists have studied the way the way it melts in the mouth – in the hope of paving the way for healthier bars.

The team at Leeds university said that the silkiest chocolate has a high fat content in its outermost layer. Using an artificial 3D tongue-like surface, they found the fat quickly lubricates the mouth, creating a smooth sensation which lasts when tasty cocoa particles are released.

With knowledge of this physical process, ingredients could be substituted and fat reduced to create healthier chocolate.