SuperFoods, Extraordinary Confections

SuperFoods, Extraordinary Confections

Truffle with dark chocolate center, coconut outer shell, and pink berry coating

66% of North American Millennials agree that “chocolate confections need to be tasty and good for me*.” That’s a big ask! What does “healthy” mean to today’s consumers? And how can you incorporate good-for-you ingredients into your product selection?

The good news is 83% of consumers believe that chocolate can be part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle**. The challenge is creating items with a “healthy glow” without sacrificing quality and flavor. Thanks to the ever-increasing availability of different ingredients and advanced knowledge in recipe formulation, it’s possible to maintain your shop’s high standards while pleasing your customers' palates and their desire for wholesome chocolate indulgences.

A stack of dark chocolate squares next to raspberries

It's all about balance!

What is "Healthy?"

For most customers, healthy has come to mean plant-based, low or no-sugar, dairy-free, or organic. "Functional" foods that offer the addition of protein or added vitamins are also popular. There's no need to create the Ultimate Bonbon: one that checks off every one of these boxes. Adding one or two items that satisfy even one of these criteria can upgrade customers’ perception of your entire selection. While the upscale ingredients that transform a confection's status from "sinful decadence" to "healthy indulgence" can be more expensive than conventional ingredients, shoppers are willing to pay more for foods that contain the ingredients they're seeking. Research shows that ½ of shoppers are willing to pay more for products with labels like "organic," "non-GMO, " and "fair trade.**"

Good-For-You Indulgences

You can choose a few items to make over with the addition of "superfoods" like acai berries or nuts, you could create a seasonal low-sugar collection, or you can streamline production by using only vegan couverture in all of your products. However much or little you decide to do, be sure to talk it up! Signage, labeling, and customer conversations are all ways you can help your clientele feel good about buying and enjoying your products.

A split coconut, coconut milk in a glass bottle, and a bowl with a wooden spoon

SUPERFOODS 

“Superfood” is a marketing term to describe foods that confer health benefits or offer exceptional nutritional density. Even though you won’t find dietitians or nutrition scientists using the word, there are some foods that have earned a “super” reputation:

 

  • Blueberries
  • Ginger
  • Matcha
  • Turmeric
  • Nuts
  • Avocado
  • Coconut
  • Seeds
  • Cocoa
  • Yogurt
  • Olive Oil
  • Oats

* Millennials and Centennials are living a Holistic Lifestyle

**National Confectioners Association Report: "Getting to Know Chocolate Consumers" 2019

 

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