PURPOSE: To prepare a chocolate having a low sweetness, and enhanced bitterness and good sweetness, by using a specific maltose as a sweetening agent.

CONSTITUTION: A maltose having ≤80 oil retaining power is used as a sweetening agent. The oil retaining power is an amount defined by the formula the oil retaining power = rapeseed oil (10g)/maltose (g)×100 and refers to an amount measured by the following method: The amount of the maltose (g) is obtained by mixing 10g rapeseed oil with the maltose in small portions, and starting the loosening of the mixture without collecting into a mass. Thus, the roll operability is good, and the flavor is such that the bitterness of the cacao mass is well harmonized with the mellow sweetness of the maltose. The chocolate is an excellent sweetening agent having a low sweetness.