Cacao, the plant that produces chocolate, is rich in minerals and antioxidants. Commercial milk chocolate includes sugar, cocoa butter, milk, and a small percentage of cacao. Contrary to milk chocolate, dark chocolate contains a much higher amount of cacao and less sugar. Several compounds in dark chocolate are antioxidants, including flavonols and polyphenols.
According to the market database, dark chocolate manufacturers continue incorporating organic ingredients and natural sweeteners to support the health & wellness trend. The health benefits of dark chocolate continue to set it apart from milk chocolates.
In terms of cocoa beans for Europe and North America, Ivory Coast and Ghana continue to lead the way. In general, these companies are suppliers of Forastero beans to manufacturers. Furthermore, Liberia and Guinea saw their supply rise as well.
Bar & Cocoa, a distributor of Latitude Craft Chocolate, is now offering the chocolate produced in Uganda, a certified B Corporation, in the United States. The journey of Latitude began with sourcing cocoa, intending to create a sustainable supply chain that benefits both chocolate companies and farmers. The company provides farming contracts to farmers to grow organic cacao. It promotes biodiversity on farms and ensuring fair labor practices. It ensures this by regularly inspecting all suppliers in its program.
Cocoa is purchased directly from farmers at collection points located within walking distance of their farms. Its prices are 15-20 percent above the market with a price floor to ensure its suppliers are able to support their households. In addition to training and insurance, Latitude also offers microloans to help families build wealth. The only ingredients in Latitude chocolates are cocoa powder and cane sugar.
Another company, Nestle has introduced a chocolate bar without refined sugar to the market. Incoa, marketed as Les Recettes de l'Atelier by Nestlé, is 70 percent dark chocolate made from cocoa fruit. Incoa chocolate bars contain cocoa pulp, which is usually discarded away. In addition to reducing sugar consumption and food waste, it increases the income of cocoa farmers by allowing them to sell both the pulp and beans of their cocoa.
For more details: - https://globalmarketdatabase.com/dark-chocolate-market