Editor's Blog

‘Free chocolate’? Where’s the catch?

Sustainability

‘Free chocolate’? Where’s the catch?

By Anthony Myers

Tony’s Chocolonely, ‘crazy about chocolate, serious about people’, brings its mission to the UK to make ‘100% slave free the norm’ in chocolate – and starts with a hard-hitting launch in London’s Soho.

Kallari Chocolate from Ecuador will open a chocolate factory near its plantations in Tena this year. Photo: Kallari.

Industry insights

Cocoa origin claims on chocolate – who benefits?

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa origin claims on chocolate products are rare and at odds with the main sourcing regions of cocoa, a study from Lumina Intelligence has found, is it worthwhile for brands to indicate cocoa origin on-pack and online?

Pic: GettyImages

Technology

Blockchain innovation in the cocoa supply chain

By Anthony Myers

Technology is creating consumer expectations on privacy, trust and traceability and cannot be overstated, said mobile and digital marketing guru Tom Daly. His answer? Blockchain.

NCA SOTIC 2019: ‘Digital is the new front door’ for candy sales - video

NCA SOTIC 2019

NCA SOTIC 2019: ‘Digital is the new front door’ for candy sales

By Anthony Myers

The 135th gathering of the NCA State of the Industry Conference ended as it began on a high, more Queen songs blasting over the PA and a promise to return next year with an even better event. Here’s a brief roundup of some of the discussions that took...

Deforestation: the economics and politics of cocoa

Chocoa Conference 2019

Deforestation: the economics and politics of cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Cédric van Cutsem, associate director of Mondelēz’s Cocoa Life, operations, and its main spokesperson on deforestation, talks exclusively to CN from the Chocoa Conference in Amsterdam on how the program is making a difference since it was introduced almost...

Barry Callebaut opened its doors to its Chocolate Academy in Weize during a special Innovation Day for journalists.

Innovation

Inside Barry Callebaut: What’s next after Ruby?

By Anthony Myers

ConfectioneryNews was invited to Barry Callebaut’s special Innovation Day at its Chocolate Academy in Weize, Belgium, where we spoke to Bas Smit, the company’s global VP marketing and the man responsible for Ruby chocolate’s launch.

Pic: Olam Cocoa

Interview

Olam Cocoa and a story of supply and demand

By Anthony Myers

Interview with Simon Brayn-Smith, VP global head of sustainability at Olam Cocoa, on how the organization is adapting its supply chain to be100% traceable and sustainable by 2020.

ProSweets/ISM 2019 takes over the Koelnmesse

ProSweets/ISM 2019

ProSweets/ISM Cologne 2019: notes from a newbie

By Anthony Myers

ConfectioneryNews editor Anthony Myers is at the Koelnmesse for the first time and finds this year’s trade fair both daunting and exhilarating.

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Brian Watt, owner/MD, Sloane's Hot Chocolate

Q&A

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Brian Watt, owner/MD, Sloane's Hot Chocolate

By Anthony Myers

After 30 years in the corporate world, Brian Watt gave it all up and followed his love for chocolate with startup Sir Hans Sloane Chocolates. The company has five employees and produces its ‘posh hot chocolate' from a studio in the south of England...

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Sian Holt, MD, Fudge Kitchen

Q&A

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Sian Holt, MD, Fudge Kitchen

By Anthony Myers

Fudge Kitchen has seven outlets in major UK cities and employs more than 80 staff. MD Sian Holt explains the rich heritage behind the premium, indulgent brand and how she got into the business of making fudge.

 CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Mike Stevens, Master of Mints, Peppersmith

Q&A

CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS: Mike Stevens, Master of Mints, Peppersmith

By Anthony Myers

Peppersmith, don’t ask where the name came from, make sugar free mints and gum using a ‘clever little plant based ingredient called xylito’. Mike Stevens is co-founder and ‘Master of Mints’ and he tells why his company is blowing fresh air into the gum...

Bahia notebook: Why is rubber so important to the growing of cocoa in Brazil? - Video

WCF Conference, Sao Paulo

Bahia notebook: Why is rubber so important to the growing of cocoa in Brazil?

By Anthony Myers

As part of a field trip for delegates at the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Sao Paulo in October, the WCF organized a visit to CEPLAC so industry experts could see for themselves the work being carried out to not only help and promote Brazil's...

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