CHOCOLATE NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Our Chocolate Development Process
We understand the complexities involved in launching a new chocolate product. The numerous variables can make this process challenging. That’s why we work closely with our clients to identify and address their specific challenges, co-creating solutions tailored to each product concept.
How can we work together?
We leverage our extensive chocolate industry expertise to cater to the unique requirements of your product. From formulation and sourcing to production and packaging, our team works diligently to ensure that every aspect aligns with your vision.
Couverture Chocolates: Our couvertures range from legacy formulations, perfected by our chocolatiers for discovery-driven taste, to single origin chocolates made from carefully selected cacao beans harvested from sustainable cacao trees with distinct, traceable flavours. We also offer better-for-you chocolates, including plant-based options, and premium indulgent couvertures known for their smooth, creamy finish and rich chocolate flavor. Whether for chocolate bars or other confections, our couvertures cater to a variety of applications.
Inclusions and Fillings: Explore a range of options in chocolate production such as nuts, fruits, or smooth ganache fillings, designed to add unique textures and flavours to your chocolate creations. We also offer chocolate paste solutions, perfect for fillings or as a base in a variety of chocolate products.
Organic and Specialty Chocolates: Made with certified, sustainably sourced cocoa beans, our organic chocolates ensure full traceability from farm to bar or beverages.
We combine the expertise of product designers, master chocolatiers, and food scientists in the chocolate making process to help you achieve even the most complex flavour profiles. From crafting unique formulations to exploring innovative inclusions, our R&D support refines and perfects your chocolate products, with a focus on flavor development and innovation.
Tackle packaging challenges with tailored solutions, from a variety of sizes and material options, including recyclable and compostable choices, to eye-catching designs. Our packaging is crafted to protect your chocolate while reflecting your brand’s story and ensuring a memorable customer experience.
How do we operate
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Quality & Control
Our on-site lab enables real-time testing for critical safety concerns like salmonella and cadmium, a level of control that sets us apart in the industry. This integrated approach ensures every step of production, from ingredient sourcing to the final product, meets the highest standards for quality, consistency, and safety. We adhere to international certifications and customise our quality checks to suit product’s specific requirements of the most demanding chocolate makers.
Sustainability Footprint
We ensure 100% carbon neutrality for Scope I and II emissions, minimizing our impact at every stage of production. For Scope III emissions, we go the extra mile by actively compensating to further reduce our environmental footprint. Our commitment to sustainability covers the entire process, from sourcing to production, delivering chocolate that is both delicious and responsible.
What is New Product Development?
New Product development (NPD) is the process of bringing an original product idea to market, and chocolate product development, with its unique flavors and challenges, is no different. Whilst this can differ by industry and market, ultimately, all teams will follow a framework to bring a product idea to life.
Yet, the difference is finding and working with a reliable and innovative partner or supplier that can be an extension of your team.
With many new and adaptable ways to build a product, there's an added constant pressure to act with greater agility and more efficiently than ever. To keep up with the rising demand from consumers for better chocolate products, every step of the NPD process must push for innovation. Exploring market trends and new talent, and being technology savvy to optimize and enhance operations.
In the intricate journey of New Product Development, the power of custom sourcing emerges as pivotal. Tailoring cocoa origin amplifies a chocolate's narrative, setting it apart in a saturated market. It's not just about the flavor but about telling a unique story with each bite. When innovation meets such meticulous sourcing, the result is a product that resonates with authenticity and craftsmanship.
Your product and business deserve this level of dedication.
How? Not only do we want to build a chocolate product for our clients that appeals to a substantial number of consumers, but we believe in quality and forming unique characteristics from our client's vision & ethos. All whilst implementing a manufacturing process that can be operated without excessive waste.
Regular approach for NPD with a co-manufacturer
Steps to consider when developing a new chocolate product
Identify the product interest in a particular category
As a chocolate manufacturing company, we constantly develop new products, offering a wide range of chocolate bars, dragées, chips, and cocoa powders. This sits alongside the ability to access unique ingredients for inclusion in a client's product, should they wish.
What are we witnessing in segments relevant to chocolate products? New, healthier chocolate products arise in NPD projects.
Identifying consumer preferences, market gaps, and innovation potential allows for a deeper understanding of the market's attitude towards new products and determines the viability of the orientation given to the project, resulting in a leaner process.
Validate the required claims
A product must appeal to a substantial number of consumers. According to Innova Insight’s latest ‘Consumer Trends Support 2023’, two in five consumers prioritize health-positive food and beverage choices as part of their strategy for staying healthy, while the same number aims for a balanced diet.
Two-thirds of consumers now claim that they always read health claims and labels. It is simply not enough to claim ‘Gluten Free’ or ‘Sugar-Free’ characteristics. The fundamental flavour of the product still counts.
Claims and seals on chocolate products serve as powerful indicators of trust and quality. They reflect a brand’s commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and exceptional craftsmanship. However, it’s crucial to approach them with integrity within our marketing strategy. While seals can be instrumental in securing consumer trust, their misuse can tarnish a brand’s reputation. Industry critics emphasize the importance of showcasing these emblems and genuinely embodying and consistently proving their values.
Finding the right chocolate
Within any market, consumers will be quick to recognize quality and desirability. If there is a quality problem, the news will quickly spread, and sales will drop.
Knowing where you want your brand to stand in the market is essential. Do you aim to maintain your product’s taste or create a new flavour profile? Your choices in chocolate formulation can guide this journey and ease some of the challenges. Whether preserving your product’s beloved taste or innovating with a fresh twist, we’re here to support your vision.
Adding texture and flavour
Adding texture and flavour to a chocolate product is like painting on a blank canvas. The foundation you choose matters immensely. When working with real chocolate, its authentic taste forms a rich base, allowing additions like nuts, fruits, or spices to shine through and complement its inherent cocoa notes.
Real chocolate is crafted from genuine cocoa butter, offering a rich, authentic taste that melts perfectly in the mouth, typically containing cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and sugar. Its complex flavors require precision tempering for the best texture and sheen. On the other hand, compound chocolate uses substitute fats like vegetable oils and is often combined with cocoa powder and sweeteners. It provides a simpler flavour without the need for tempering, making it easier for certain applications. While both have their place in confectionery, understanding their nuances ensures the best choice for your product’s desired taste and quality.
The packaging prototype
The right packaging speaks volumes. In the vast chocolate and snack & confectionery market, the silent envoy piques interest, invites touch, and promises a sensory adventure. As consumers flit between choices, the allure of packaging can seal the deal, hinting at the quality and experience. It’s not just about standing out but about building a bond, evoking anticipation, and setting the stage for a memorable encounter with the product.
FAQs
At Luker Chocolate, we prioritise precision and excellence at every stage of production. Our in-house laboratory conducts over 100,000 tests annually, employing more than 90 analytical methods across physical, microbiological, and sensory evaluations. These rigorous quality control processes ensure that every batch meets the highest industry standards. Additionally, we work closely with trusted suppliers and maintain strong relationships to secure consistent, high-quality cocoa, guaranteeing uniformity across all our chocolate products.
Yes, all our chocolates are proudly single-origin, exclusively sourced from Colombia. We also offer single-region options that focus on showcasing the unique flavour profiles of specific regions, such as Huila, Tumaco, and Santander. Each origin reflects the rich characteristics of its region, shaped by its distinct climate, soil, and cultural heritage, providing an authentic and unique taste experience.
Absolutely! We collaborate closely with our clients to tailor chocolate formulations that meet their unique needs and market demands. Whether it’s adjusting cocoa percentages, sugar levels, or adding unique inclusions, our dedicated NPD team ensures the formulation aligns not only with your vision but also with evolving consumer trends. From initial consultation to finalisation, we support you every step of the way.
Luker’s Heritage portfolio features chocolates optimised for exceptional performance across applications, with carefully designed viscosity, tempering requirements, and melting points to meet diverse needs. Detailed technical specifications for each product can be found in the Heritage Portfolio brochure, which is available for download.
Our formulations are engineered for outstanding performance across a wide range of applications, including glossy bonbons, velvety ganache, and robust couverture. For bespoke requirements, we also develop tailored formulations that suit specific applications or consumer preferences, starting from certain minimum order quantities (MOQs).
Consistency is at the core of our manufacturing process. We use advanced equipment, adhere to standardised recipes, and implement rigorous monitoring throughout every production stage. This ensures uniformity in taste, texture, and quality across all batches, even in large production runs.
Luker Chocolate follows stringent protocols to prevent cross-contamination, including the use of dedicated equipment, rigorous cleaning between runs, and detailed ingredient tracking. Our laboratory’s accreditation for allergen detection, including lactose protein testing, ensures precise results and transparency. Combined with thorough labelling practices, we help clients meet consumer expectations for allergen safety and trust.
We provide comprehensive technical support, from troubleshooting to new product development. Our expert team collaborates with clients to ensure that formulations align with their equipment and facilities. Whether it’s adjusting machinery settings or offering guidance on process optimisation, we work closely to integrate new products seamlessly into production.