ruby chocolate – the 4th type of chocolate
What is your preferred type of chocolate when you have to pick one? White chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate? While you can certainly enjoy all of them, my personal favourite is always dark chocolate due to its bittersweet taste. Dark chocolate is often regarded as relatively healthier than the others due to its higher flavanol content from a greater percentage of cacao. However, have you ever encountered ruby chocolate, with its captivating pinkish-red colour?
在挑選巧克力時，你會選擇濃郁的牛奶巧克力、柔滑的白巧克力，還是回甘的黑巧克力？我自己偏好苦甜交織的黑巧克力，因為在享受巧克力的罪惡感的同時，由於黑巧克力擁有相對較高的可可含量，含有更多的黃酮醇，具有抗氧化和抗發炎的好處。但如今巧克力已不再僅限於棕色和白色！你曾見過擁有天然粉紅色的巧克力嗎？
photo credits: Barry Callebaut
Ruby chocolate products are increasingly common in the market these days. So, what exactly is ruby chocolate, and what sets it apart from traditional chocolate types? Ruby chocolate is crafted from "ruby cacao beans," sourced from regions like Ecuador, Brazil, and the Ivory Coast. Much like grapes for wine, these beans are influenced by terroir, meaning their flavours are shaped by their growing environment and specific climate conditions. Developed by the Belgian chocolate company Barry Callebaut in 2004 and industrialized in 2017, ruby chocolate heralds a fresh chocolate experience for enthusiasts.
世界第四種品種的巧克力：紅寶石巧克力於幾年前正式推出市面，現在在市場上越來越多看到它們的蹤影了！全球最大的可可豆製造商百樂嘉利寶（Barry Callebaut）於2004年開始研發紅寶石巧克力，並於2017年9月正式量產推出市場。紅寶石巧克力由紅寶石可可豆萃取提煉加工而成。與釀製葡萄酒所用的葡萄一樣，紅寶石可可豆之所以擁有淡紅色的外觀，全是因為它們受到成長環境和氣候等因素的影響，具有獨特的「terroir」，因此只能在南美洲的巴西、厄瓜多，非洲的象牙海岸等地生長，產量相當稀有。
photo credits: The Foodie Avenue
Ruby chocolate offers a unique sensorial delight, different from the bitterness, milkiness or sweetness of conventional chocolates. It boasts a delightful fusion of fresh berry flavours and velvety smoothness – all without the need for berries or artificial colourings. This natural origin adds to its allure. The citric flavour and the appealing colour open up a realm of possibilities for pastry chefs and confectioners alike. One of the most well-known ruby chocolate products would be KitKat Ruby launched by Barry Callebaut and Nestlé in 2019. Let's eagerly anticipate exploring further potentials for this fourth variety of chocolate!
無添加色素的紅寶石巧克力，自帶浪漫誘人的粉紅色澤，並帶有淡淡的莓果香氣，味道酸甜交融，口感豐潤綿密。紅寶石巧克力的天然酸甜味道和獨特的迷人粉紅色為甜點界開啟了無窮的可能性。其中最知名的產品之一，應該是由百樂嘉麗寶與雀巢（Nestlé）合作，於2019年推出「紅寶石巧克力KitKat Ruby」吧！隨著紅寶石巧克力在市面越來越普及，一起來期待將來看到更多的粉紅饗宴吧！
photo credits: Nestlé
photo credits: MUJI