Dark Chocolate Seduces Taste Buds of Health-Conscious Britons

Consumers in the U.K. are switching from milk chocolate to darker varieties after published research showed some health benefits of dark chocolate. Sales of dark chocolate in the U.K. jumped 96% in two years, according to the reports.

Although dark chocolate is still high in sugar, it is rich in antioxidants, and is lower in fat than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate now has the reputation as being a healthier alternative to other chocolate and this has really struck a chord with Britain's chocoholics.

Hershey Launches an Olympic Giveaway

Hershey will give away more than 100,000 prizes as part of its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympics. Shoppers with specially marked packages of certain Hershey products, including Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kat Wafer Bars, can win everything from plasma TVs to Visa gift cards.

Sweet Candy in Sour Economy

Everyone is cutting back on spending. Some are car-pooling or even biking to work, and only shopping at stores that offer coupons or discounts because of membership.

But American’s have a big sweet tooth! Their buying of sweet treats is up 3 percent from the previous year. Many analysts say candy businesses will likely fare better than other non-essentials in these trying times. (As the prices for sugar, milk and cocoa rise, so have the prices for that sugar fix for that sweet tooth.)

Candy is still a relatively cheap treat for most consumers. They can afford to pay a dollar for that sweet. With consumers cutting back on long distance shopping, they choose drug and convenience stores that have big and easy access to candy aisles.

It’s the "feel good" factor. The dollar spent on a candy bar treat as apposed to the feeling of filling your gas tank for $100.00. Some consumers are treating themselves once a week to a premium chocolate, and feel no reason to cut back.

On the other side, the candy manufacturers are raising prices. Some of the biggest candy makers are consolidating. All sweet treats need to be transported (at $4 plus a gallon) to the consumer.

Candy has a reputation of getting people through tough times. Enjoy what you can!

Some Politics With Your Chocolates?

L.A. Burdick has created two new boxed chocolates, one honoring Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and one for Republican nominee John McCain. These are handmade chocolates with a political twist. The assortments of "Election Chocolates" are drawn from the candidate's backgrounds.

The "Obama Assortment" includes Hawaiian pineapple and Kenyan coffee (Obama was born in Hawaii), while the "McCain Assortment" sports Arizona citrus and hot pepper tequila (McCain is from Arizona). Each box also includes the company's signature chocolate mousse.

Pure Chocolate?

EU legislators filed a lawsuit against Italy for its continued use of the "pure chocolate" label on its chocolate bars. The suit says that since a certain amount of vegetable oil is legal in chocolate, it is misleading to say that one chocolate is more "pure" than another.

Chocolate: The Exhibition

The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., is hosting a traveling exhibit on chocolate. "Chocolate: The Exhibition" takes visitors through the entire process of growing, producing and selling chocolate, and includes a gift shop and café. You may enjoy the exhibit until September 7.

Decoding Chocolate DNA

Mars will collaborate with the USDA and IBM for the Chocolate Genome Project, which aims to decipher the genetic structure of the cocoa tree. The five-year project is expected to aid breeding programs. "Ultimately improve [cocoa] trees, and yield higher quality cocoa and increase income for farmers," a Mars official said. The public would have free access to data from the research through the Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture.

From Bean to Bar – White Chocolate

Askinosie Chocolate will start production of white chocolate from the bean to the bar. Some think white chocolate isn’t chocolate but Askinosie wants to prove them wrong.

Hershey’s Batman Themed Promotion!

The Hershey Co. has introduced the "Find the Bat-Signal and Win" contest; in anticipation of the newest installment of Batman-themed films. Specially marked wrappers from Reese's and Kit Kat candies will contain instant-win game pieces. And one lucky winner will be the recipient of a Batman-themed motorcycle.

Chocolate Lovers and Rising Costs

Many chocolate manufacturers are revising prices as they watch the cocoa bean's international value continue to increase. Some companies are forced to eat the costs and come up with new ways to boost revenue. A Nestle executive, however, expects the price of cocoa to stabilize soon. Also the cost of fuel has to be factored in.