Latest features Healthy chocolate. Too good to be true?

Date Published:

29/10/2007

Mary Poppins had a spoon full of sugar, now the Queen's chocolatier has invented healthy chocolate. By Charlie Cottrell

It's no wonder that confectioners are eager to jump onto the healthy eating bandwagon. The UK is one of the world's largest chocolate buying markets with sales racking up over £3.5 billion last year. And as health concerns such obesity and heart disease continue to make the headlines, offering a healthy version of one of the nation's favourite treats could mean serious business.

Prestat is not the only company to have hit the high street with confectionary promising to be good for you. The Sussex based RAW Chocolate Company is also keen to sing the praises of chocolate's antioxidant properties in their range of gluten, sugar and dairy free bars made from exotic, cold-processed ingredients including un-roasted cocoa, algarroba carob, mulberries and a South American tuber called Maca.

But whilst these ingredients offer to do all manner of healthy things from stabilising blood sugar, to balancing hormone levels and boosting the libido, the stock cube like texture and natural earthy flavours may be an acquired taste to the Dairy Milk lover, looking for a healthy alternative.

Healthy food, not 'health food'

It is largely for taste reasons that, despite believing in its flavanol antioxidant powers, Keeling is reluctant to label Choxi+ a health food. "As soon as people hear the term 'health food' they expect it to taste like diabetic chocolate. But this is chocolate that tastes like chocolate" he says. "We’re saying that chocolate is good for you and not straying too far from there. And if you’re going to be eating chocolate, this is the best chocolate you can get."

So should we be rushing out to fill up our lunchboxes with this new chocolate bar? "Although Choxi+ is a great product, it can’t replace the nutrients and fibre found in fruit and vegetables, so you should still be eating your five a day" Keeling points out, "and of course, sadly, it does contain calories. That’s why we’re calling Choxi+ 'positive indulgence'. It should still be considered a treat but it's a treat that is much better for you than chocolate has ever been before."

Choxi+ will be available in Tesco stores from 5 November