Dark Chocolate: What’s new in the marketplace for healthy, ethical dark chocolate? Part 1

Both European and American chocolate makers have taken note of the emerging interest in dark chocolate products. Consumers in growing numbers are looking for healthy dark chocolate products that have been ethically produced.

The cocoa manufacturer Callebaut recently conducted a survey of about 1000 consumers in each of five European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. European consumers seem to be aware of the need to choose chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70 percent to gain the potential health benefits cocoa has to offer. I don’t have statistics for the United States. I hope Americans are equally aware of this distinction.

What’s interesting is the difference in numbers of those choosing dark chocolate and the perception about the health benefits from one European country to another. French citizens are the leading consumers of dark chocolate and the dominant believers that chocolate with a high cocoa content is good for you.

Fifty-seven percent of French respondents reported consuming dark chocolate compared with 47 percent in Belgium, 40 percent of Swiss, 7 percent of Germans, and 35 percent of respondents from Great Britain. The British were also the most skeptical about the alleged benefits of dark chocolate.

Perception aside, chocolate manufacturers are responding to the increased desire for healthy and ethical chocolate products.

Venture Foods, a UK specialty chocolate maker, has expanded its line of Fair-trade, vegan, and organic chocolates. They have a Tangiers bar with 65 percent cocoa solids that includes orange oil and orange zest pieces. Another new 65 percent cocoa solids bar is the Marrakesh bar that contains cinnamon and nutmeg. Given the results of the Callebaut survey, I wonder if this company might not have been better off creating new chocolate bars with at least 70 percent cocoa solids?

Check back later this week for part 2 of this topic. Thanks!