Understanding Best By Dates
European Date Formats
We sometimes hear from customers who are concerned that their chocolate looks “past date.” The good news? It’s almost always a misunderstanding caused by European date formatting. Many of the chocolates we carry come from Europe, where the date format is day/month/year - not the month/day/year format used in the U.S.
So, a label that reads 04/09/2025 on a European brand means September 4th, 2025, not April 9th. It’s fresh, we promise.
And if a product ever truly approaches or passes its best by date, we’ll reach out first to confirm whether you'd prefer to receive it or opt for a refund or replacement, we never want you to be surprised.
What the Date Really Means
Most chocolate makers use a “best by” date - not an expiration date. That means the chocolate is at peak quality before that date, but still safe to enjoy afterward. Properly stored chocolate can last well beyond its best by date, especially if it’s dark chocolate.
Quick Tips
- If the chocolate is from Europe, flip the date format: day/month/year
- “Best by” ≠ “expired”
- Chocolate is still safe to enjoy after its best by date, especially if stored properly
- Still unsure? Just contact us anytime—we’re happy to help