Gift Basket Business Blog

“Cacao” or “Cocoa”: Know Your Chocolates

December 28th, 2006 at 06:27pm Lorie Obernauer

The most popular “chocolate holiday”, Valentine’s Day, is quickly approaching and you can wow your customers with interesting tidbits of information about chocolates.
A recent issue of Gourmet Retailer’s on-line magazine presents a comprehensive primer on chocolates. Many gift basket designers have seen new chocolate products this year whose packaging includes a claim about a specific “% Cacao”. So what does that really mean?

“According to the guide, the term ‘% cacao’ refers to the total percentage of ingredients by weight which come from the cacao bean (or cocoa bean)”. This number is what the consumer should consider when considering the intensity of chocolate flavor desired. Essentially, the higher the number, the more intense.

Recent surveys of consumer buying habits indicate that our customers want to be educated about the products they buy. And by sharing this type of information, you can distinguish yourself from the crowd and provide a service not often offered in the large chain stores.

For a full explanation of chocolate terms and processes for making chocolates, go to the Chocolate Manufacturer’s Association.

Also check out Apex Gift Foods to see a great selection of chocolate products that your customers will love and to take advantage of a Valentine’s Chocolate Promotion available through January 10th.

Entry Filed under: Gourmet Gift Foods, New Products & Trends, Promotions