Barry Callebaut Showcases Innovations at Sweets & Snacks
Barry Callebaut announced its continued commitment to providing innovations for food manufacturers aligned to the company’s Future of Indulgence report that was debuted at last year’s Sweets & Snacks show. Barry Callebaut will showcase two recent innovations this year: Ruby Chip and the first taste of the 2nd Generation of Chocolate.
Consumers’ changing attitudes to life are affecting the way they indulge. Barry Callebaut revealed this at last year’s show with its The Future of Indulgence report, which included the discovery of three different types of indulgences that consumers shift between and pursue: mindful, healthy and intense. The Intense Indulgence attitude, Barry Callebaut’s focus at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, is about enjoying life to the fullest, turning the moment into something special and looking for intense experiences.
The Ruby Chocolate Chip
Barry Callebaut’s dedication to providing consumers with innovations that satisfy the Intense Indulgence mindset is shown through the debut of the Ruby Chip. Following ruby chocolate’s 2017 debut as one of the biggest breakthroughs in the confectionery industry in decades, Barry Callebaut’s continuous expansion and innovation with ruby chocolate underscores its commitment to the premium and flavor-forward product range, including solutions for confections, ice cream and now baking and snacks. “We are excited to bring ruby chocolate into a new segment and category for our customers,” said Steve Woolley, president & CEO Americas. “The Ruby Chip offers a new flavor and taste experience for the snack and baking manufacturer.”
The 2nd Generation of Chocolate
Additionally, Barry Callebaut will be showcasing a first look at its upcoming innovation, the 2nd Generation of Chocolate, which was announced last fall. It is a redesigned approach to traditional chocolate production. Through the careful selection of beans, precise fermentation and roasting, the Second Generation offers a range of chocolates with low bitterness, allowing for the ingredient deck to list cocoa as the first ingredient and sugar as the last. This new product design achieves a 50% sugar reduction versus the most consumed chocolates on the market. The 2nd Generation of Chocolate honors the Mindful Indulgence pillar of consumer attitudes – an attitude that will be highlighted in coming months.
“The emergence of Intense Indulgence is apparent in consumers’ desire to indulge more, find more excitement in life, and turn little moments into something special,” said Laura Bergan, Barry Callebaut’s director of marketing, BC Brand. “We’ve been intently focused on providing solutions and innovations, like the ruby chip to satisfy this evolving consumer attitude.” Show attendees are invited to join the educational session, “Barry Callebaut’s Playbook to Win in the Indulgence Space,” which will occur at 12 pm CDT on Tuesday, May 23 on the Innovation Stage in Skyline Hall.
The 2023 Sweets & Snacks Expo (May 22-25) at 2301 S King Dr, Chicago. Attendees are invited to stop by to learn more about Barry Callebaut at Booth #11956 in the West Hall. For more information about Barry Callebaut, please visit https://www.barry-callebaut.com/en-US.
About Barry Callebaut Group
The Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations, and compounds. The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants, or caterers. The Group runs more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 12,000 people. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.
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Milkboy Alpine Milk Lemon/Ginger Bar Flavor to Debut at NPEW
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates will introduce its new Alpine Milk with Refreshing Lemon and Ginger Bar at Natural Products Expo West, from March 8-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center. From their Swiss Chalet-themed booth (#N1448 in the North Hall), Milkboy will give chocolate lovers a taste of the smooth milk chocolate bar with essential lemon oil and candied ginger.
The bar joins a product line that includes other flavors like Finest Alpine Milk, Alpine Milk with Roasted Almonds, Alpine Milk with Crunchy Caramel and Sea Salt, White Chocolate with Bourbon Vanilla, Extra Dark 85 percent cocoa, finest 72 percent cocoa with Fresh Roasted Coffee, and Finest 72 percent cocoa with Crispy Mint. The 3.5 oz bar has a suggested retail price of $4.99.
“We’re excited to introduce customers to our Alpine Milk with Refreshing Lemon and Ginger bar at Expo West and think people will love this unique flavor combination,” said Milkboy founder Emanuel Schmerling. “We use milk sourced from the Swiss Alps and Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa to make some of the finest milk chocolate bars in the world. We invite chocolate lovers to visit our Swiss Chalet booth at Expo West and try all our flavors.”
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates are sold at many specialty food retailers, including all United States Whole Foods Market locations. Chocolates are also available online at https://milkboy.com/ and on Amazon.
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates is on a mission to source the finest quality, natural and sustainable ingredients in order to create extraordinary chocolate and practice traditional Swiss chocolate manufacturing without compromise or shortcuts. Chocolates are produced in Switzerland from milk sourced from the Swiss Alpine region.
Milkboy Swiss Chocolates is a five-time sofi Award winner for Best Chocolates, including a 2021 sofi Gold Award for the Best Milk Chocolate, and 5-time Great Taste Award winner. The chocolates are gluten-free, non-GMO, soy-free and certified Kosher. Milkboy chocolate uses only Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa in its chocolate products and Forest Stewardship Council certified paper for its packaging. Follow Milkboy on Instagram or Facebook @milkboychocolate.
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Niagara Chocolates’ New Flavors Sweeten Up Valentine’s Day
Niagara Chocolates, a fastest-growing premium chocolate brand, has releases four limited-edition flavors just in time for Valentine’s Day. A recent survey confirms that while consumers from Gen Z and beyond still choose chocolate and romance as Valentine’s Day signatures, a spirit of adventure and an interest to try new, exciting experiences accompany these traditional celebration elements.
Other key findings include an overwhelming preference for bold flavors inspired by dessert favorites, popular bakery indulgences and special holiday offerings.
Niagara’s new flavors include:
Dark Chocolate Fondue – Mess-free and easy to recreate at home, our Dark Chocolate Fondue is ready in under 2 minutes and perfect for creating a fun dessert activity with a loved one or as a fun entertaining element.- Red Velvet Cheesecake Cups – Delicious notes of red velvet and cocoa complemented by the delicate tang and smoothness of cheesecake. Also available in 12-ounce gift boxes.
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Clusters – Creamy milk chocolate with notes of zesty cinnamon and crunchy vanilla cookie pieces, our Snickerdoodle Clusters will surely make your heart flutter.
- Double Chocolate Frosting Cups – Enjoy our twist on a cupcake! Smooth, milk chocolate frosting flavors in rich, creamy, decadent dark chocolate will satisfy your sweet tooth any day of the week.
“For Valentine’s Day 2023, every generation declared a preference for celebrating romance – either with a loved one, boldly going on a first date or even fantasizing about a secret crush,” said Joe Annunziato, director of marketing at Delica North America, parent company of Niagara Chocolates. “No matter how they choose to celebrate, there was an overwhelming agreement that chocolates are the best gift to give and receive, and our hand crafters are excited to share their bold new flavor innovations.”
Additional Survey Findings:
- The #1 gift that consumers want to give themselves, their loved ones and receive for Valentine’s Day is chocolate.
- Over 50 percent of recipients would love to receive a Valentine’s card from their secret crush.
- Over 85 percent of respondents would be willing to go on a first date on Valentine’s Day – but 16 percent would only be interested if given a box of chocolates as an invitation.
Made with simple, non-GMO ingredients, Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa, and small batch hand crafted chocolate, these limited-edition products are available on Niagarachocolates.com, Amazon, and national retailers such as Safeway Albertsons, Fresh Market, Walmart and more.
*Results from Pollfish Survey conducted January 2023
Niagara Chocolates launched nationally in 2021 and is the fastest-growing brand in premium chocolate, led by top-selling flavors such as Toasted Coconut Clusters, Sea Salt Caramel Cups, Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups, and Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters, as well as the Almond Toffee Milk Chocolate, Salted Almond Dark Chocolate and Almond Butter Dark Chocolate bars.
The brand was established in 1956 with a focus on simple ingredients, a hand crafted process, and delivering indulgent products, which remain the brand pillars to this day. Niagara Chocolates has proudly invested in local communities since the brand’s inception through fundraising programs, enabling local schools and organizations to raise millions of dollars to support efforts of all types and make dreams possible. The brand is owned by Migros Group, the largest company, and retailer in Switzerland.
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