Chocolate is well-known for its role in romantic gestures and as a sweet treat. In myriad forms, chocolate is seemingly ubiquitous around any major holiday. However, chocolate is popular year-round, as it is coming into its own in more roles than just desserts and treats. More and more dishes are including cocoa and chocolate.
A simple Google search turns up all kinds of savory chocolate recipes, from mole and balsamic-bitter chocolate sauce to pumpkin-filled chocolate ravioli and white chocolate baba ghannouj. The progressing omnipresence of chocolate is clear, as MarketsandMarkets reports that the global markets for cocoa and chocolate will continue to grow to be worth $2.1 billion and $131.7 billion, respectively, by 2019.
News Drill Down
- Today’s Dietitian expert, Toby Amidor, MS, RDN, CDN, explained in an article that chocolate is a nutrient-dense food. Just one ounce of 60-69% dark chocolate is a good source of manganese, copper, magnesium, and iron. That same chocolate also includes smaller amounts of phosphorous, potassium, zinc, selenium, and calcium, as well as vitamin K and several B vitamins. Cocoa flavonols are thought to provide benefits for heart health and aging. However, chocolate, even dark, is to be consumed in moderation due to high fat content.
- Consumers use a variety of avenues to purchase their chocolate. Business blogger Brandon Gaille states that grocery stores account for 22% of chocolate sales, followed by mass merchandise outlets at 21%, convenience stores at 16%, club stores at 13%, and drug stores, confectionary stores, and value/dollar/discount stores contributing another combined 18%.
- According to Cargill, Incorporated, consumers are increasingly focused on four qualities in chocolate:
- Indulgent: Consumers want a luxurious experience.
- Premium: Consumers want to know where their chocolate is from and how it was processed.
- Healthy: Consumers want chocolate that will promote their health goals and have limited additives.
- Sustainable and clean: Consumers want ethically-produced chocolate and transparency from manufacturers.
Top Searched Cocoa and Chocolate on ULProspector.com
- Cacao Powder, from Villa Andina
- Cocoa Powder, from Archer Daniels Midland
- Organic Cocoa Powder Alkalized 10-12% Gold, from CIRANDA Organic Ingredients
- WECOBEES® S, from Stepan Specialty Products LLC
- Cocoa Powder Natural 10/12 – Gold, Organic, from CIRANDA Organic Ingredients
Resources:
MarketsandMarkets: Cocoa Market Worth $2.1 Billion and Chocolate Market Worth $131.7 Billion by 2019
Today’s Dietitian: Ask the Expert: Chocolate’s Health Benefits
Brandon Gaille: 34 Important Chocolate Industry Trends
Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate: Global Trends
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