What is couverture chocolate and how is it different from compound chocolate?

Couverture chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa butter (31%+ for most standards) and no vegetable fat substitutes. It has a finer texture, better snap, superior gloss, and more complex flavor than compound chocolate. It requires tempering to set properly. Compound chocolate uses cocoa butter substitutes (palm oil, coconut oil) — it sets without tempering but lacks the taste and mouthfeel of real chocolate. For Dubai chocolate, couverture is always preferred.