Happy National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! June 7, 2025
We might have another reason to enjoy our daily cup of tea or small piece of dark chocolate, as a new study from the University of Surrey has found that naturally occurring compounds called flavan-3-ols—found in cocoa, tea, apples and grapes—may improve blood pressure and the health of our blood vessels.
The Kisses maker said duties on the commodity, which cannot be grown in the U.S., is expected to result in millions of dollars in extra costs.
A chemical that is mainly found in dark chocolate seems to slow our rate of biological ageing, but it isn’t clear if eating chocolate is good for us overall.
People who put chocolate and coffee at the top of the food pyramid recently got a shock: Prices for both zoomed higher due to poor global harvests and strong demand, shattering records set way back in the 1970s.
The dark chocolate version of Toblerone’s most popular bar has been discontinued after nearly six decades on confectionery shelves. Food manufacturer Mondelēz International confirmed in a statement that its 360g dark chocolate bar would no longer be sold in the UK. The company said it understood the “difficult decision” may be “disappointing for some consumers”. It attributed the discontinuation to “changing tastes” and growing its business, adding it “continuously adapt[s]” its range and “continue[s] to invest in Toblerone”. The original Toblerone bar was first invented in 1908, with a dark chocolate version – containing 50% cocoa – released in 1969.
President Trump seems to think border taxes are a Willy Wonka golden ticket for the U.S. economy. But what does it do to America’s artisan chocolate businesses when huge duties raise the cost of cacao, an ingredient that only grows some 20 degrees above and below the equator?
Real chocolate could become a “luxury” item in the future says Massimo Sabatini, co-founder and chief executive of Italian firm Foreverland, which makes a cocoa powder alternative called Choruba.
Sweet-toothed Brits have been dealt yet another blow after Cadbury quietly reduced the size of their Twirl multipacks – while selling them at the same price. In yet another example of ‘shrinkflation’, the packs, which originally contained ten bars, now contain just nine – and have been cut from 215g to 193.5g. With the confectionary typically retailing for £3, the cut means shoppers are now paying £1.55 per 100g, up from £1.40.
Researchers at Abertay University and food biotechnology firm Fermtech have created an ingredient called “Koji flour,” which can replace some of the cocoa needed in chocolate products, making food production more sustainable, according to Phys.org.
The price of cocoa is hitting record highs, data shows. It nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024 due to a variety of factors, including crop issues in Africa, where most cocoa is produced.
The world is developing a deeper appetite for chocolate, with the global chocolate market projected to expand from US$ 138.45 billion in 2024 to US$ 205.39 billion by 2033. This growth, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48% during 2025-2033, is catalyzed by diverse factors, including heightened demand for premium chocolate, healthier alternatives, and innovative flavors and packaging. Consumer preferences are shifting towards upscale artisanal and nutritious options, with dark and organic chocolates finding particular favor for their antioxidant richness.
In December 2024, cocoa prices soared to an unprecedented $12,646 per metric ton. Experts link this jump to years of adverse weather, which has been linked to climate change, and the cocoa swollen shoot virus in West Africa.
Tea and chocolate, particularly dark chocolate are high in antioxidant polyphenols, which target free radicals and can reduce the risk of cancer and have other health benefits. Healthline reports the antioxidants and flavanols in cocoa and dark chocolate can reduce inflammation and help keep the endothelial cells that line the arteries healthy. Popular teas like green tea, ginger and rosehip can also fight inflammation and prevent oxidative damage, the journal also notes.
Federal officials have upgraded a chocolate recall to the highest risk level over fears that consuming the product could “cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” Three products from Cal Yee Farm — Dark Chocolate Almonds, Dark Chocolate Apricots and Dark Chocolate Walnuts — have been given a Class 1 classification for containing undeclared milk, according to the FDA. Undeclared milk in food products can lead to serious health issues for people with milk allergies, including hives, cramps, dizziness, swollen vocal cords and unconsciousness, and cause death, according to the FDA’s update, which was issued on Jan. 22.
The experts recommend keeping chocolate in your cupboard rather than the fridge, as the latter may be too cold for your tasty treats.
Mars Inc. introduced the trademark detail in 1950 to distinguish real-deal M&M’s from imitations. The M&M’s name references the initials of the chocolate company’s two co-founders, Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie (both the sons of chocolate company executives). Mars bought out Murrie’s share of the company in 1946, four years before the stamp was introduced, which means we can safely assume the “m” stands for Mars.
There’s one brand that consistently earns top marks from chefs, and it’s the same one that came out on top in the Allrecipes taste test: Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream.
Giving soldiers delicious chocolate would pose a number of problems: They might eat it too soon, or they might use it as currency and trade it for other goods like cigarettes and magazines with pictures of scantily-clad women. The army wanted to avoid making these chocolate bars desirable because they were meant to keep soldiers alive in an emergency situation.
While chocolate products like a Hershey’s bar are a staple in a candy aisle, with more than 373million produced each year, consumers from Europe and the UK can barely stomach the product due to one gross ingredient – butyric acid, a compound found in human vomit.
Unfortunately, overindulging in chocolate can lead to weight gain, tooth decay and an increased risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. But could it be fatal? Sure — if you eat enough. (Click, HERE, for more info)
As the Birmingham-born chocolate brand loses its royal warrant, Katie Rosseinsky presents the case against this iconic British treat (click, HERE).
Chocolate firm Cadbury said on Monday it was “disappointed” after losing its royal warrant for the first time in 170 years following King Charles III’s first review of the coveted list since becoming monarch.
Dark chocolate consumption may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 21%, while milk chocolate does not show similar benefits, according to a Harvard study. A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that consuming dark chocolate, but not milk chocolate, may be linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D).
A new study finds people who have a habit of eating a little dark chocolate — about an ounce per day — have a 21% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, compared to people who don’t consume it.
Scientists have discovered a new way of making chocolate that uses the entire cocoa pod to reduce waste and improve farmer revenue streams. But can chocolate made any other way taste as sweet?
Drug testing on “Polka Dot” labeled chocolate bars seized back in September by narcotics detectives from the Sheriff’s department from a Chula Vista business found that the products had been adulterated with several controlled substances, including Amanita Muscaria mushrooms, better known as “magic mushrooms,” a strong psychedelic drug and hallucinogen.
Hope this doesn’t ruin your day, but Baker’s Chocolate wasn’t created for bakers, it’s chocolate originally produced in Dorchester, MA by John Hannon with his partner Dr. James Baker. Hannon sailed to the West Indies in 1779 and never came back, so Dr. Baker changed the name to the Baker Chocolate Company.
Mushroom Magic Blend Chocolate Bars contain illegal psychoactive drugs, putting consumers at risk of injury, illness, or death, the California Department of Public Health reports.
Eating chocolate in the morning can give you a quick energy and mood boost, burn fat and reduce blood sugar levels. Afternoons are a great time to indulge, especially when you need a pick-me-up to beat the post-lunch slump. For people who tend to live their best lives in the evening, unfortunately, chocolate cannot keep up with that lifestyle. Read more, HERE.
Chocolate lovers already feeling the sting of high prices should brace for worse: costs will continue to rise as global cocoa supplies are at their lowest level in two decades. But spare a thought for cocoa farmers in west Africa, battling poor weather, crippling crop diseases as well as local and international governments – all while missing out on their fair share of the price hike.
According to a recent survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 94% will share chocolate and candy with friends and family, demonstrating the unparalleled consumer demand fueling remarkable retail trends like “Summerween” and “Aug-tober.”
Chocolate prices soared by 11% in the year to August in bad news for households ahead of Halloween, figures show.
A recent sampling assignment conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found 6.2 percent of dark chocolate and chocolate-containing products labeled as “dairy-free” to contain milk, although all samples positive for milk were also labeled with some form of milk allergen advisory statement (e.g., “made in a facility that also processes milk”).
It’s been a rough year for chocoholics. Spot prices for cocoa nearly tripled earlier this year, and consumers looking for a cocoa fix have had to cover those costs. But news from Switzerland, the mecca of chocolate offerings, could offer some hope.
Spain is known for a solid version of the treat, best enjoyed in the country’s Northwest. Specifically, the region of Castilla y León epitomizes the unique nature of Spanish chocolate, thanks to a history that’s as rich as any dark chocolate.
Mesoamerica is often considered the ‘homeland’ of chocolate due to its significance for many ancient cultures in this region, but the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, in fact originated in the tropical rainforests of South America. Until now, though, our understanding of the plant’s early use – and how and when it spread to other parts of the Americas – has been limited.
The true culprits behind blemishes are likely a complex interplay of factors like genetics, hormones, age and stress.
EATING chocolate could halve the risk of gum disease, researchers believe. Antioxidants from cocoa beans particularly in dark chocolate may be behind it, the experts reckon.
Holland America Line is partnering with Lindt to offer sweets to guests at various points during their cruise. Under the partnership, guests will find Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles or sea salt milk chocolate truffles in their stateroom after returning from their once-a-cruise Gala Night activities. Guests will also see Lindt chocolate desserts on their dinner menu, such as a tulip-shaped chocolate mousse cake. Other desserts, including Lindt sundae, Lindt flourless chocolate cake, and Lindt chocolate tulips will be available.
The leader of a scamming network that operated via false chocolate sales has been sentenced to a prison term and a fine by the Walloon Brabant Criminal Court. The group hired vehicles under false names, sought out elderly individuals and sold them chocolate. Disguised as scouts, they insisted on digital transactions only, declining cash payments and offering to assist the targeted senior citizens by entering their confidential PINs on their behalf. Once in possession of the necessary codes, the group would return a fake bank card, identical to the original. These cards had been stolen from the same bank during previous illegal operations. By the time victims realized their debit cards had been swapped, the culprits had already made withdrawals and purchases from their accounts.
Nestlé, which manufactures KitKat candy bars, has issued a stern warning for consumers who love chocolate. The food company, which manufactures popular brands such as KitKat, Toll House and Nesquik, claims that consumers have yet to feel the full impact of the global cocoa shortage, and that it will soon start to put a damper on their wallets as companies are facing higher costs to make goods that contain the ingredient.
In 2021, Godiva closed all of its cafes and stores in North America. What prompted the brand to shut down in-person visits in the U.S. all in one sweep? It turns out smaller restaurants weren’t the only ones to struggle during the pandemic. In March 2021, Godiva closed 128 stores due to a declining number of in-person shoppers and a shift in consumer buying habits caused in part by the rise of Covid-19 in 2020.
Chocolate lovers may have been alarmed by a 2023 Consumer Reports finding that some dark chocolate brands could contain harmful levels of lead and cadmium. However, a new study by Tulane University published in Food Research International has found that dark chocolate poses no adverse risk for adults and contains nutritionally beneficial levels of essential minerals.
Researchers at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with start-up Koa and chocolate manufacturer Felchlin, have developed a new type of chocolate that fully utilizes the cocoa fruit. This innovation aims to improve sustainability, nutritional value, and farmers’ income.
Hot chocolate — a treat some believe to be the bane of a clean diet — could actually help you lose weight, one expert claims. Steve Bennett, a health coach, told The Sun that one cup per day could actually help people shed pounds because it is packed with fiber, which satiates hunger. Read more, HERE.
Cacao farmers and chocolate makers in Thailand’s “capital in the north,” Chiang Mai, are giving European chocolatiers a run for their money.
Scientists have produced chocolate made solely with ingredients from a cocoa pod—using every component of the fruit, cutting not only waste, but also carbon.