The Alsatian chocolate factory Abtey is distinguished by offering chocolate without cocoa. In addition to being affordable and more ecological, the “Choviva” range seems, for the moment, to be a success for the company.
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As Easter approaches, rabbits, chicken chickens and eggs invaded the shelves. But in Alsace, the Abtey chocolate factory made the bet to offer Chocolate … without cocoa. This particular range was isbaptized “Choviva” and the cocoa is replaced by a powder resulting from the mixture between roasted sunflower seeds and grape seeds.
The increase in the price of cocoa beans by 150% and its ecological impact pushed the family business, based in Heimsbrunn, Haut-Rhin, to develop this initiative. Cocoa plantations are fragile and subject to floods and waves of drought. Not to mention his agriculture, responsible for part of deforestation. With this new way of making chocolate, the company reduced its carbon footprint by 80%.
In addition to being “Good for the planet”, according to Yves Wagner, deputy director general of the Abtey chocolate factory,, The range also stands out by selling more economical products. The prices thus offered are “20 to 30% cheaper compared to their classic ranges, with chocolate. In large distribution, this difference represents up to 1.20 euros depending on the grammage“He explains.
The “Choviva” range also meets a certain success: “Four to five of these cocoa chocolates are found in the products best -selling by the brand“, according to Yves Wagner. He admits, the chocolate factory may have been “A little too shy” With this new range in view of the results of its sales. With the fallout, the Abtey chocolate factory could even simply sell them for Easter and Christmas, but offer its range “Choviva” all year round in supermarkets. However, the brand will continue, in parallel, to sell its cocoa -based confectionery.
