Find organic and natural chocolate products at ExpoWest 2025

What We Observed: Chocolate Innovation and Wellness Trends

Earlier this year, we joined over 3,000 exhibiting brands and tens of thousands of visitors at Expo West 2025 in Anaheim, one of the world’s leading events for natural, organic, and purpose-driven products. As a key meeting point for industry leaders in food and wellness, the event offered a front-row view into how consumer preferences are shifting—and how brands are rising to the challenge.

Across the Expo West 2025 floor, one thing became clear—innovation in natural and functional chocolate is accelerating. From ingredient breakthroughs to new approaches in product storytelling, brands are responding to a new kind of consumer: one that wants to enjoy chocolate without compromising on health, sustainability, or flavour. Walking the show and speaking with founders, R&D teams, and procurement leaders confirmed what we’ve seen across markets: people are looking for plant-based chocolate, protein-enhanced chocolate, and clean-label snacks that are as thoughtful in formulation as they are delicious.

"Many products weren’t just nice-to-haves, they were expected. Whether it was dark chocolate with protein, dairy-free options like oat milk chocolate, or certified organic chocolate.

For many visitors, chocolate was an opportunity to deliver nutritional value with indulgent appeal, and a vehicle for expressing their brand’s sustainability values."

Diego Mario ValbuenaDigital Marketing Manager

4 CONFECTIONERY TRENDS AT EXPOWEST 2025

Protein Everywhere

High-protein formulations across snacks, desserts, and beyond.

💪 One of the most visible trends at Expo West 2025 was the explosion of protein-enriched products across unexpected categories—from sauces and snacks to pastries and indulgent treats. In this context, chocolate is no exception.

For many brands, adding protein is no longer about targeting athletes—it’s about creating everyday foods with added functional benefits.

Functional Indulgence

Mushrooms, adaptogens, cognitive support, and wellness ingredients in treats.

🍄 From chocolates with mood-boosting adaptogens to candies featuring functional mushrooms, many brands are reinventing what it means to treat yourself.

This year’s show saw a surge in interest around products that support cognitive function, reduce stress, or simply provide added nutritional value—without compromising flavour.

Organic as Premium

Organic seen as a mark of taste, trust, and responsible sourcing.

🌱 Organic products were centre stage at Expo West 2025 as a signal of trust, taste, and transparency.

In chocolate, organic is often associated with better ingredients, a purer formulation, and a more responsible supply chain. For many visitors to our stand, that connection was personal.

Brands choose organic not only because consumers expect it—they want to work with partners who understand its value from the ground up.

Clean Label Focus

No seed oils, added fibre, date-based sweeteners; simplified, transparent ingredients.

❤️ At Expo West 2025, we saw a sharp rise in products featuring clear, simple ingredient lists—free from additives, preservatives, and ultra-processed components. Chocolate was no exception.

Brands across categories were proudly calling out “no seed oils,” “sweetened with dates,” and “fortified with fibre”—all signals that ingredient consciousness has gone mainstream.

They’re must-haves for brands competing in the better-for-you space.

Dark chocolate with organic pea protein

Plant-based, clean-label, indulgent taste with added nutritional value.

🍫 At Luker Chocolate, we brought our dark chocolate with organic pea protein—a formulation that reflects this growing shift.

We help brands co-create chocolate solutions that meet nutritional goals without losing the indulgent, sensory experience chocolate lovers expect. Our dark chocolate with protein is:

Plant-based and dairy-free.
Made with organic pea protein for a cleaner label.
Designed for private label and product development teams looking to launch high-protein, functional chocolate formats.

Co-creation of functional chocolate solutions

Integrating purposeful ingredients like protein, fibre, and natural sweeteners into indulgent formats.

👨‍🔬 The product has to taste great and feel indulgent. We design chocolate that delivers benefits. Whether it’s:

Protein-enriched dark chocolate.
Oat-based milk chocolate for dairy-free formats.
Concepts incorporating natural sweeteners, fibres, or plant inclusions.

We work closely with brands to develop custom chocolate applications that support functional positioning while ensuring a memorable flavour profile.

USDA Certified organic chocolate crafted at origin

Traceable, agroforestry-grown cocoa with full transparency and impact..

🌱 Unlike chocolate that’s merely processed to meet standards, our organic chocolate is:

Crafted at origin in Colombia
Made with cocoa grown through agroforestry and regenerative practices
Fully traceable, from farmer associations to export-ready bars

Did you know?

Our organic chocolate contributes to reforestation efforts and supports income generation for cocoa-growing communities in Colombia.

Clean-label chocolate development

No artificial additives, sweetened naturally, fully traceable and custom-formulated.

❤️ We prioritise clean-label chocolate development. Our team works to craft chocolate that’s as intentional in its ingredients as it is in its impact:

No artificial flavours or preservatives
Sweetening alternatives like natural sugars
No seed oils—our fats come from natural cocoa butter and clean sources
Added fibre options, using natural, functional ingredients
Fully traceable cocoa, grown through sustainable farming practices

Beyond trends and innovation, Expo West 2025 was an incredible space to connect face-to-face with brand owners, product developers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of food. At our booth, we didn’t just talk about chocolate—we talked about the challenges and opportunities behind bringing better-for-you products to market.

Here are some of the most common (and insightful) questions we heard:

“Why did you choose pea protein?” Many visitors were curious about our choice of protein source. We shared how organic pea protein aligns with both plant-based and clean-label expectations, offering excellent functionality without compromising texture or flavour.
“How do you make plant-based chocolate taste so good?” Flavour was a top concern—especially for brands that had tried functional chocolates that didn’t meet sensory standards. We discussed our focus on recipe development and sensory validation, tailored to different formats like bars, spreads, or enrobed snacks.
“Can you help us with formulation or just sell ingredients?” This was a recurring theme. More than ingredients, buyers wanted formulation support, R&D collaboration, and the ability to co-create functional chocolate that’s ready for scale. For many, that was what set Luker apart.

These conversations confirmed that brands want more than a supplier. They want a chocolate manufacturing partner that understands sustainability, certifications, and market positioning—and can help translate that into products consumers love.

Dark Chocolate with Protein

Our protein-enhanced dark chocolate offers a unique blend of indulgence and health. Organic pea protein supports the growing trend toward nutrition-boosting products, delivering superior flavour and satisfying those seeking functional, plant-based, high-protein options.

LUKER CHOCOLATE PLANT BASED

Plant-Based & Dairy-Free Chocolate

Our protein-enhanced dark chocolate offers a unique blend of indulgence and health. Organic pea protein supports the growing trend toward nutrition-boosting products, delivering superior flavour and satisfying those seeking functional, plant-based, high-protein options.

natural sugar alternatives

Organic Chocolate Range

Consumers increasingly value transparency and sustainability, with searches for natural ingredients doubling last year. Our ethically sourced and meticulously crafted organic chocolate satisfies this demand for traceable and sustainable chocolate, bringing a taste of natural, fine ingredients.