Jul 16 2010 --- At the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Food Expo, July 18-20 in Chicago, Cargill will showcase an innovative chocolate ingredient, Wilbur Chocolate Duet powdered mix, which allows bakers to easily create indulgent treats with chocolate liquor. The ingredient will be featured in a chocolate brownie bite prototype at the show.

"When economic times are tough, consumers often trade down from expensive luxuries to smaller, relatively inexpensive pleasures, and one way they do that is through food choices," said Courtney LeDrew, marketing manager, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate North America. Research shows that nearly half of consumers turn to baked goods, sweets or desserts as a special treat.

"Consumer interest in chocolate is likely to benefit from these trends dark chocolate especially due to its association with both sensory pleasure and potential health benefits," said LeDrew. "As a result, manufacturers are looking for ways to incorporate chocolate into products more easily and efficiently."

Chocolate as an ingredient comes in many forms, including liquid, wafers, chips and blocks. In order for manufacturers to include a "made with real chocolate" claim on their packaging, they must have an inclusion such as a chocolate chip, or they must include chocolate liquor in the product. However, according to Katy Cole, technical service national accounts manager, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate North America, chocolate liquor has been known to be difficult to use in baking.

"Chocolate liquor requires kettles to hold it in liquid form, or processing equipment to melt it if it is solid," said Cole. "Wilbur Chocolate Duet powdered mix, which is a proprietary blend of chocolate liquor and cocoa mixed into a powder form, offers versatility and gives bakers an easier way to formulate with chocolate liquor." Cole further discusses the topic on the Cargill Innovation Exchange.

As a powder, Wilbur Chocolate Duet incorporates easily into baked goods, such as the brownie bites Cargill is featuring at IFT, and other mixes. It requires no melting, processing or special storage, yet, because the ingredient is made with chocolate liquor, products that contain it can be labeled as "made with real chocolate."

"Wilbur Chocolate Duet powdered mix also adds a rich, indulgent chocolate flavor experience that you can't achieve with cocoa powder alone," adds Cole. "With its ease of use, great flavor and support for label claims, this product is inspiring some innovative new applications for chocolate in delicious comfort foods."