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Gourmet Chocolate
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Published: September 11, 2006
Chocolate is going premium and not just in quality. World wide sales of gourmet chocolate have been steadily increasing and are expected to reach $1.8 billion in four years. What used to be an industry largely dominated by small businesses is now being embraced by major companies such as Nestle, Hershey's and Mars.
More and more people are embracing gourmet chocolate and not just for taste alone.
Gourmet chocolate is generally considered high quality chocolate and is more expensive. Made in small batches and without preservatives, it is characterized by ingredients used and the process by which it is prepared. Gourmet chocolate is usually made with exotic flavors and a specific mixture of ingredients not used in regular brands of chocolate. It is also creatively packaged and usually handmade.
Until recently, most gourmet chocolate companies were small and European. In the past, gourmet chocolate could be bought in specialty shops, boutiques, and high end department stores. Their popularity is due not only to the level of quality but also to the air of exclusivity that surrounds them. Successful brands include Godiva, Lindt, Ghirardelli, Grimaldi, and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland.
The increase in demand for gourmet chocolate is due to several reasons. Consumers prefer it over regular chocolate due to higher cocoa content and superior taste. Recent findings on the health benefits derived from chocolate have also made it more attractive. Dark chocolate and chocolates with high cocoa content contain antioxidants which help reduce the risk of heart disease, aging, and cancer. Premium dark quality is mostly made by gourmet chocolate companies and come in a variety of mixtures.
The popularity of the organic movement has also contributed to the increase in demand. The organic movement is concerned with eating healthy food free from toxins, chemicals, and preservatives. Gourmet chocolate contains natural ingredients and single-origin chocolate and because it is usually handmade, it is made without preservatives. There are even organic brand gourmet chocolate products.
Major chocolate companies are either buying smaller gourmet chocolate companies or creating their own lines. Mars will soon be launching their own brand of gourmet chocolates called Ethel's. Other companies are releasing limited editions of gourmet and dark chocolate. Due to the interest of large corporations, gourmet chocolates will soon be available on a mass scale.
Moran, Michelle. Category Analysis: Chocolate: Quality Satisfies American Sweet Tooth. Gourmet Retailer Magazine. June 1, 2006. 8 Sept. 2006.
Hopkins, John. Chocolate Makers Target Consumers Sweet Spot. USA Today. August 11, 2005. 8 Sept. 2006.
Related Articles
Gourmet chocolate is generally considered high quality chocolate and is more expensive. Made in small batches and without preservatives, it is characterized by ingredients used and the process by which it is prepared. Gourmet chocolate is usually made with exotic flavors and a specific mixture of ingredients not used in regular brands of chocolate. It is also creatively packaged and usually handmade.
Until recently, most gourmet chocolate companies were small and European. In the past, gourmet chocolate could be bought in specialty shops, boutiques, and high end department stores. Their popularity is due not only to the level of quality but also to the air of exclusivity that surrounds them. Successful brands include Godiva, Lindt, Ghirardelli, Grimaldi, and Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland.
The increase in demand for gourmet chocolate is due to several reasons. Consumers prefer it over regular chocolate due to higher cocoa content and superior taste. Recent findings on the health benefits derived from chocolate have also made it more attractive. Dark chocolate and chocolates with high cocoa content contain antioxidants which help reduce the risk of heart disease, aging, and cancer. Premium dark quality is mostly made by gourmet chocolate companies and come in a variety of mixtures.
The popularity of the organic movement has also contributed to the increase in demand. The organic movement is concerned with eating healthy food free from toxins, chemicals, and preservatives. Gourmet chocolate contains natural ingredients and single-origin chocolate and because it is usually handmade, it is made without preservatives. There are even organic brand gourmet chocolate products.
Major chocolate companies are either buying smaller gourmet chocolate companies or creating their own lines. Mars will soon be launching their own brand of gourmet chocolates called Ethel's. Other companies are releasing limited editions of gourmet and dark chocolate. Due to the interest of large corporations, gourmet chocolates will soon be available on a mass scale.
Moran, Michelle. Category Analysis: Chocolate: Quality Satisfies American Sweet Tooth. Gourmet Retailer Magazine. June 1, 2006. 8 Sept. 2006.
Hopkins, John. Chocolate Makers Target Consumers Sweet Spot. USA Today. August 11, 2005. 8 Sept. 2006.
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