Posted on 10/13/2006 5:17:54 PM PDT by blam
Dark times ahead for chocolate
By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor
(Filed: 14/10/2006)
Britain's taste for chocolate is growing more sophisticated, figures out yesterday suggest.
Sales of dark chocolate have trebled in a year, while the number of dark mainstream brands has risen tenfold.
Confectionary analysts say the figures reflect a more discerning palate. They also follow several studies — some funded by chocolate makers — indicating that dark chocolate can have health benefits.
Antioxidants in dark chocolate can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, say researchers. However, dark and milk contain the same amount of fat and sugar.
Although milk still outsells dark, the rapid recent growth of the latter has surprised many in the industry.
Woolworths, Britain's biggest confectionary retailer, reported £600,000 worth of dark sales in 2005. The figure for the first eight months of 2006 was nearly £1.5 million.
Stephen MacDavid, the company's chocolate buyer, said: "Dark chocolate is in vogue at the moment. It is fast catching milk chocolate in terms of sales and there are now over 30 dark chocolate bars on the market compared with only three last year."
Older shoppers are fuelling much of the boom. Nestlé, which launched a dark KitKat this year, said it was now the most popular variety among 34 to 45-year-olds.
Thank you. I guess my husband will have to find sf dark chocolate in this stocking this year. He deserves it!
Here's an early Merry Christmas to somebody who must be a really sweet guy.....;)
Milk chocolate for me. Can't handle the dark chocolate, it makes me break out in pimples like a teenager. The Hershey nuggets with the toffee chips in it are really good, and so is Dove chocolate.
Okay. Nestle is another Swiss company. The Swiss do like their chocolate.
I did not know that it was a Swiss company.....8-O
[and you'll love them...they taste so fresh and natural...there's very few ingredients in them and no "dutch" or "alkali" in sight]
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