KITKAT launches Swiss chocolate innovation

Last autumn, Barry Callebaut introduced a fourth type of chocolate next to its Dark, Milk and White chocolate. Ruby is berry-coloured chocolate, but it contains no berries, berry flavour or colour. The chocolate is made from the Ruby cocoa bean, and this alone is responsible for the berry flavour and characteristic colour.

Barry Callebaut spent several years developing an innovative manufacturing process to extract Ruby’s special attributes, according to a statement from the chocolate manufacturer in the Greater Zurich Area.

Nestlé Japan Ltd. is now launching its iconic KITKAT chocolate bar in a Ruby chocolate version. The new creation will be available for purchase online as well as in specialty stores in Japan and South Korea, making KITKAT the first consumer brand in the world to launch a product with this new type of chocolate.

The Ruby KITKAT was created under the craftsmanship of top pâtissier Yasumasa Takagi. It will be sold under the KITKAT Chocolatery brand, which offers premium KITKAT chocolate products in Japan and South Korea. The products are created with meticulous attention to ingredients and preparation methods under the direction of Takagi.

“I am very pleased that our innovative breakthrough Ruby chocolate has come to life so quickly through our partnership with Nestlé and the pioneering KITKAT brand in Japan,” said Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut.

“Nestlé was very quick in spotting the trend and in introducing a Ruby chocolate version of KITKAT, which will entice consumers across Asia and beyond.”