by Adam Levine ’20

 This Valentine’s Day white, milk, and dark may not be the only type of chocolates you see. Ruby chocolate, the recently discovered fourth type of naturally made chocolate, was unveiled by its creators, Swiss chocolate company Barry Callebaut, on September 5 of last year. Made from the ruby cacao bean, ruby chocolate stands out from the classics with its naturally pink color and hint of berry taste.

 Nestle is the first major company to bring ruby chocolate to the mainstream market in the form of its “Sublime Ruby” KitKat. The pink KitKat was first announced in Japan and Korea on January 18 and made its official debut in their specialty stores and online the next day. Online orders are imported from Japan to nine other countries, including the United States. The pink confection is sold online in sets five Sublime Ruby KitKats paired with the Green Tea and Purple Sweet Potato flavors, but can also be purchased in smaller quantities in a set with dark, milk, and white chocolate.

 This was not the first time Nestle has been the first to debut a new type of natural chocolate. The story of  ruby chocolate bears striking resemblance to the creation and release of white chocolate around 80 years ago. Both white and ruby chocolate were made by Barry Callebaut and saw its major release with Nestle.

 Being the first major brand to put this new type of chocolate on the international market, KitKat encourages consumers to “Be the first to experience Ruby.” The rosy candy is also marketed as being “For Valentine’s Day.” Not only was it released just in time for someone to purchase it as a gift for their significant other, the color also matches the red and pink color palette associated with the holiday. Traditionally, pink candies are made with artificial color, but the release of the Ruby KitKats to the main market will start the trend of millions of naturally pink chocolates for years to come.