Food trend for 2019: Ruby chocolate

Awarded for its innovation in the US and the Middle East and globally ranked as the food trend for 2019 by international research agency Innova Market Insights and Foodbev, Nikkei Trendy and Harper’s Bazaar

At least eleven brands will introduce Ruby chocolate at ISM 2019

Ruby chocolate is acclaimed by many chefs and chocolatiers from around the world because it is made using the Ruby cocoa bean and for its unique taste and pairing opportunities

Introduced in all major segments: tablets and pralines, biscuits, bakery and ice cream

Zürich, January 28, 2019 – Ruby chocolate is recognized around the world as the food trend for 2019 by research agencies, media and food experts. This fourth type of chocolate has also been awarded for its innovation in the United States and the Middle East. At ISM, at least eleven new brands will be introducing Ruby. Thanks to the ongoing interest since its reveal in Shanghai in 2017, Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, will dedicate its ‘BC Studio’ to Ruby at ISM 2019. 

Pablo Perversi, Chief Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Officer and Global Head of Gourmet at Barry Callebaut, adds: “Since its launch, the interest in and praise for this fourth type of chocolate have been overwhelming. We are proud to see that eleven brands will be launching Ruby chocolate this year, and that’s just at ISM.”

Ruby at ISM
During the four-day ISM program, chefs from around the world such as Martin Diez, Dinara Kasko, Nina Tarasova and Melissa Coppel, among others, will give workshops and showcase Ruby signature creations in confectionary, drinks, bakery, dairy and desserts. At ISM Libeert, Heilemann, Martinez, Cafe Tasse, Noi Sirius, Hug Wernli, Limar, Minor, Confetti Matrix, Witor’s, Läckerli Huus and more brands will launch their Ruby chocolate products. The world's largest sweets and snacks trade fair ISM 2019 takes place in Cologne, Germany from 27 - 30 January. Barry Callebaut is present in Hall 10.2 C10/D19.

The Ruby journey
Barry Callebaut unveiled Ruby in Shanghai in 2017, after more than ten years of development. Since its launch, this new variety has been introduced in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and South Africa by both consumer and artisanal brands, including Prestat, Baci Perugina, KitKat, Leonidas and Fazer. This new type of chocolate is made using the Ruby bean. A unique processing method by Barry Callebaut unlocks the flavor and color tone that are naturally present in the bean. The taste experience is described as an intense sensorial delight - a tension between berry-fruitiness and luscious smoothness. 

Globally recognized
Foodbev included Ruby in their ‘Top 5 Most Innovative Products of 2018’. Japanese business magazine Nikkei Trendy included Ruby in its ‘2019 Hit Forecast Best 30’ list. The magazine bases its rankings on sales, impact on the industry, and impact on consumers. In India, lifestyle magazine Harper’s Bazaar featured Ruby on their ‘Bazaar Hotlist: Bucket List’ in the first issue of 2019, and NY Mag added KitKat Ruby to their trend charts.

Globally renowned entertainment show Saturday Night Live announced that Ruby is coming to the United States. In Australia, the Internet ‘went wild’ when Nigella Lawson introduced Ruby chocolate on Masterchef, according to Australian radio station Smooth FM. Hollywood also had a taste of Ruby chocolate at the Official Afterparty of the Oscars.

Ruby chocolate is considered as one of the greatest breakthroughs in chocolate in decades by chefs and chocolatiers and received an award for the ‘most innovative supplier’ from the NCA (National Confectioners Associations) in the US. In the Middle East, Callebaut Ruby RB1 was awarded the prize for ‘the most innovative food ingredient’ at the Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards 2018. In Denmark, KitKat Ruby was selected as ‘Product of the Year’ by global retail chain 7- Eleven.