Nestlé to Take Renowned Turkish Chocolate Brand With Pistachios to US

26 Feb 2016 --- Nestlé USA is bringing to market Nestlé Damak, a treasured Turkish premium chocolate brand with more than 80 years of rich, delicious pistachio chocolate history.

Damak is a sumptuous combination of buttery, crunchy pistachios and silky smooth chocolate. Available in a creamy, fine chocolate bar and a rich, dark chocolate bar, Damak offers an adventurous taste experience not found in any other chocolate. Pronounced “dih-mok,” the name is Turkish for “great taste,” alluding to the country’s centuries-old history in pistachios. 

Damak tablets are made with quality chocolate, brimming with Turkish pistachios. The fine chocolate bar contains no artificial flavors or colors. 

The pistachios used in Damak chocolate bars are sourced from the Gaziantep region of Turkey, which boasts an ideal climate for growing these prized nuts. In fact, that location is considered by many to be the best place in the world to find the highest quality pistachios, full of flavor and ripe with that striking green color. These are all key characteristics of the perfect pistachio that give Damak its unique and cherished taste. Some pistachio facts you might not know: 
• The pistachio tree is one of the oldest flowering nut trees on Earth 
• People have eaten and enjoyed pistachios for nearly 9,000 years 
• Pistachios are known as the “colorful” nut, with their green and purple hues 
• Turkey is the third largest producer of pistachios after the United States and Iran, producing 100,000 tons of pistachios annually 

“Damak chocolate bars are a bold and exotic combination of smooth chocolate and flavorful pistachios, which creates a delightful experience,” said Shelly Lofino, Brand Development Manager for Damak at Nestlé USA. “The brand is rich in heritage and offers a one-of-a-kind taste that must be sampled to truly appreciate. As a global leader in the confectionary category, Nestlé is proud to share this hallmark brand from our international portfolio with chocolate lovers in the U.S.” 

The premium chocolate market in the U.S. continues to expand. With double-digit growth for several years in a row, the premium chocolate segment has experienced an 11 percent increase over the past 12 months1. For many, dark and nut-infused chocolate in particular is a welcome indulgence, one to be sampled and savored as consumers continue to embrace their love affair with this “Food of the Gods.” 

Damak is committed to making a positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of the farmers who grow our premium pistachios. Nestle Damak has committed over $1 million to fund training in the most efficient agricultural techniques to not only improve and increase harvests, but also to improve the welfare of the renowned Gaziantep growing region of Turkey.