| The evolution of luxury chocolate brands explains | | | | and fruit with content sometimes as high as 20% |
| the resilience of certain companies this year in | | | | of total weight. Elite chocoholics, however, know |
| spite of (and perhaps due to) the current general | | | | such simple inclusions and typical fillings have |
| economic downturn. Experts say, people are | | | | become fairly passé' and utilize other |
| splurging on their taste buds and driving wholesale | | | | candy enhancement methods. |
| candy sales numbers to record heights. Yet, as | | | | Chocolate makers are mixing unusual flavors, |
| consumer palates and buying interests become | | | | using fancy ingredients or obscure refined |
| more sophisticated, chocolate manufacturers are | | | | inclusions to edge out the competition in this |
| offering more than candy. | | | | lucrative market. Just consider some of the exotic |
| A top seller in tablets according to industry | | | | things companies like Lindt and Vosges |
| experts is a company called Choclatique. Co- | | | | Haut-Chocolate are adding: chili, papaya, jalapeno, |
| Founder Ed Engoron views the experience of | | | | pomegranate, plantains, bacon, wasabi, |
| consuming deluxe confectionaries among the few | | | | mushrooms, olives, and goji berries! Surprisingly, |
| "affordable, immediate, indulgent luxuries." He | | | | "Mo's Bacon Bar" is Vosges' biggest seller. |
| believes a desire to escape stressful times make | | | | Those who want their candy to be a healthy |
| many families actually increase their high-end | | | | extravagance are also finding more choices. Bars |
| consumption. Spouses might want an easy way | | | | with ever higher cocoa content and infusions of |
| to spoil their partner, moms can award a special | | | | herbs, spices and teas are launched each year. |
| treat to their children and bosses can thoughtfully | | | | Ghirardelli's "Luxe" and "Intense" bar lines are |
| recognize a job well-done. If you can't afford to | | | | between 60-72% cocoa. Q91 by Choclatique has |
| take them out, try giving them a "Truffle Cake" | | | | 91% and one of Lindt's "Excellence" bars is 99% |
| or "Crème Brule" bar from Swiss based | | | | cocoa. |
| Lindt's "Petits Desserts" collection, which reads like | | | | Even the Mars Corporation is touting premium |
| a ritzy restaurant menu without the hefty price | | | | chocolate's therapeutic effects. The confectionary |
| tag. | | | | giant is hoping for success from new lines of their |
| Knowing that presentation counts, Bloomsberry | | | | popular Dove bars. "Dove Beautiful", which is |
| & Co. markets their design-imprinted on milk | | | | made with vitamins and minerals to keep skin |
| and dark chocolate bars as gifts. Each bar's | | | | moist and healthy. An additional product called |
| striking package is distinguishable by the holiday or | | | | "Dove Vitalize" contains plant, cocoa extracts and |
| event being celebrated. Some examples are the | | | | B vitamins, designed to boost energy and regulate |
| royally purple, "Queen" bar or "I Love U" bar. | | | | cholesterol. |
| Beautifully decorated wrapping papers and boxes | | | | Manufacturers in this rarified category employ a |
| along with funny, thematic notations, make even | | | | myriad of unique techniques to convey exclusive |
| an everyday treat seem festive. | | | | affluence. So, is it an entrée? Dessert? |
| Taking a different approach, Choclatique's stylish | | | | Treatment? Unique packaging and rich ingredients |
| swirl-patterned chocolate artistically enhances the | | | | are changing perceptions of what candy can offer |
| appearance of their tablets or larger-sized | | | | us. One thing's for sure, these aren't your |
| tapestries. Another strategy is to pack in the nuts | | | | average chocolate bars. |