Van Houten takes indulgent chocolate drinks to the next level
Baristas and chefs can now take indulgent chocolate drinks to the next level with the launch of long-established innovator Van Houten's new 5 Colours Range.
Van Houten, whose expertise dates back nearly 200 years, have created a selection of White, Milk, Dark, Gold and Ruby drinks containing real chocolate grounds, with most delivering 100 per cent chocolate content, far outshining the competition of other cocoa-based drinks.
The sustainably sourced product ticks all the boxes for bars, cafes and restaurants. Designed and endorsed by top chefs and baristas, it can be prepared with ease and speed, has excellent solubility, and is ideal for dairy or plant-based milk, as well as being suitable for hot and cold drinks.
It also meets modern consumer needs, with a choice of 5 Colours:
- Dark – intensely dark and bitter, with roasted notes.
- Milk – smooth and balanced with note of vanilla.
- White – rich and sweet with hints of vanilla and caramel.
- Ruby – intense fruitiness with fresh sour notes.
- Gold – caramel chocolate with notes of toffee, butter and cream.
Gareth Fitzpatrick, UK Sales Manager for Barry Callebaut Beverages, owners of Van Houten Drinks, said: "We noticed consumers really wanting to experiment. The White, Milk, Dark and Gold chocolate grounds boast an impressive 100 per cent chocolate. Ruby 94 per cent. This is pure chocolate indulgence."
Van Houten chose to work with some leading baristas and chefs for the product launch, among them Dhan Tamang (5 times UK Latte Art Champion), Nicole Battefeld (German Brewers Cup Champion) and Nir Chouchana (Champion de France Barista Coffee & Good Spirit). "It was really important to us that the baristas themselves were fans of our chocolate grounds," Gareth said. "Each of them developed key recipes within their favourite drink category, ranging from chocolate flat whites, to frappés, to innovative hot chocolates and iced chocolate lattes."
All 5 Colours of Van Houten Ground Chocolate are part of Cocoa Horizons, the sustainability programme founded by Barry Callebaut in 2015 and supervised by the Swiss Federal Foundation Supervisory Authority. This independent, non-profit organisation focuses on cocoa farmer prosperity. They help farmers build self-sustaining cocoa communities that protect nature and their children.
Van Houten has been manufacturing, innovating, and pushing the boundaries of chocolate craft since 1828. Coenraad van Houten pioneered the cocoa press and his son later invented the dutching process. This turned cocoa drinks from bitter powders into the tasty, soft and soluble cocoa and chocolate drinks you know today.
Find out more about Van Houten at www.vanhoutendrinks.com
