Nestle Japan is all set to commercialize the first ever natural pink ruby-flavored chocolate by introducing the new KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Ruby bars in Japan and South Korea. The ruby chocolate used in the new KitKat product, dubbed Sublime Ruby, was developed by Swiss cocoa producer Barry Callebaut as a new variety to be added to bitter, milk, and white chocolates. Barry Callebaut unveiled the Ruby chocolate in September 2017 after developing it for more than 10 years. Ruby chocolate is prepared from ruby cocoa bean and Nestle said its taste will be both sweet and sour while having a fruity flavor that reminds of berries. The natural pink color in Sublime Ruby is claimed to have been achieved without the use of any additives, stated Nestle. Barry Callebaut CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique said: “I am very pleased that our innovative breakthrough Ruby chocolate has come to life so quickly through our partnership with Nestle and the pioneering KITKAT Brand in Japan. “Nestle was very quick in spotting the trend and in introducing a Ruby chocolate version of KITKAT, which will entice consumers across Asia and beyond.” The new limited edition Ruby KitKat bars will be distributed exclusively at KitKat specialty store KITKAT Chocolatory and also online from 19 January. It will also be available at around 80 seasonal pop-up stores across Japan that will be run in preparation for Valentine’s Day. The ruby KitKat launch from Nestle comes just days after the company had entered into a deal to sell its US confectionery business to Ferrero for $2.8bn. The sale which includes more than 20 brands, excludes the KitKat brand though. – Source: Food Business Review.