We’ve all heard of dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate. But pink chocolate? Well now that’s a thing, too. Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cocoa products, announced its latest invention on September 5, 2017. The Swiss company unveiled the fourth type of “naturally colored chocolate”, Ruby, more than 80 years after inventing white chocolate.
As hard as it may be to believe, the global chocolate market is struggling and it has been for a while now. According to Hershey, changing shopping habits in the United States and unexplained challenges faced in other countries has been extremely challenging. In fact, the chocolate manufacturer has even been forced to cut 15 percent of its staff globally.
The new pink chocolate intends to widen the chocolate market by targeting relatively new groups, like millennials. The colorful, yet natural, characteristics of Ruby chocolate aim to appeal to the Instagram obsessed generation.
Swiss Chocolatier Invention
It’s been clear for a while now that the chocolate industry needs something drastic to help increase sales. Those at Barry Callebaut believe that that something may go beyond the traditional dark, milk, and white chocolate but instead, may be more of the pink chocolate variety.
Using Ruby cocoa beans harvested throughout the world, Barry Callebaut has managed to present a very different type of chocolate. Besides its vibrant pink shade, Ruby chocolate also exhibits a fruity flavor that’s quite distinct from the other types of chocolate.
The color derives from a red powder extracted during the chocolate-making process, while the specific flavor was unlocked during years of trial and error. According to Barry Callebaut, the perfect Ruby chocolate hue and flavor profile are the product of 10 years of extensive testing and research.
Tapping Into New Markets
Besides targeting millennials, pink chocolate may also appeal to another gigantic market. Barry Callebaut’s announcement was made at an exclusive event in Shanghai, China, making it likely that the Zurich-based chocolate manufacturer is also pursuing Asian buyers. Successfully piquing the interest of the Asian market has the potential to immediately boost chocolate sales simply due to the size of that market.
Ready to try Ruby chocolate? You’ll likely have to wait at least 6 to 18 months before the world’s fourth type of chocolate is ready for mass consumption. Until then, it looks like you’ll just have to satisfy your sweet tooth with old-school dark, milk, or white chocolate.
Image from: http://mymodernmet.com/ruby-chocolate-pink-chocolate-barry-callebaut/