Sweet Talk: A Taste of the Latest Candy and Chocolate Trends
 NewsUSA) – To the enjoyment of tastebuds around the country, each year more than 2,500 new candy and chocolate innovations, tastes and flavor creations hit store shelves. According to the National Confectioners Association (NCA), steady innovation and upward sales trends for the confectionery industry prove that despite a sour economy, candy is sweet.“Candy and chocolate are affordable luxuries that deliver sweet rewards,” said Susan Whiteside, vice president of communications for the National Confectioners Association. “This year we’re seeing candy manufacturers offer reinventions of classic favorites, embrace gourmet trends and create exciting and unexpected new flavor combinations that show the originality and creativeness of the industry year after year.” Expect to see everything from international influences to super-sour and fruit-filled flavor creations new this year. Some of the leading new product trends include: * Super Fruits and Exotic Origins. New confections and snacks cross international lines and tantalize taste buds with super fruit essences and exotic influences. Jelly Belly introduces two new super fruit flavors, Barbados Cherry and Acai (Ah-sigh-EE) Berry, an exotic Amazon rainforest fruit, in their new Superfruit Mix. New from Nestle, Cranberry Raisinets offers antioxidant-rich dried cranberries coated in smooth milk chocolate. * Chocolate Indulgence. New chocolate offers are indulgent, but at prices that won’t break the bank. Try Ghirardelli’s new LUXE MILK premium milk chocolate line. Or unwrap Chuao Chocolatier’s new Chinita Nibs ChocoPod for a decadent flavor pairing of caramelized nibs and nutmeg inside a dark chocolate shell. * Super Sour and Flavor-Full. Innovative super sour flavors and tangy fillings are daring consumers to pucker up with new tastes like Cadbury’s Sour Patch Chillerz, a soft and chewy Sour Patch candy creation with a surge of cool. Or for an intense sour taste, American Licorice Company’s Chewy Extinguisher packs a punch with three different layers of sour flavor wrapped around a sweet center inside. * Classic Remix. Tried and true confectionery favorites are taking on new tastes and flavor twists. MARS Snackfood’s Coconut M&M’s brings a tropical flair to the classic chocolate candies, for a limited time. And Hershey goes to the dark side with new Reese’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. To learn more about the latest candy and chocolate or to download candy recipes and craft ideas, visit www.candyusa.com. |
