Macalat® Earns NEXTY Award for Revolutionizing the Chocolate Industry With Innovative Mushroom Mycelium Technology
The certified organic brand of chocolate has introduced a groundbreaking new category in chocolate bars: Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate
DURHAM, N.C. (April 10, 2024) – Macalat has won the 2024 NEXTY Award for the creation of a new category of chocolate: Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate. The NEXTY Awards, presented by New Hope Network’s Natural Products Expo, celebrate the most innovative, inspiring and trustworthy products in the natural products industry. Macalat was among 154 finalists – out of 1,500 companies nominated – for the Expo West 2024 edition of the awards.
Transforming the dark chocolate experience
Macalat, a visionary, certified organic brand of chocolate, has introduced a groundbreaking new category in chocolate bars: Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate. This first-ever cacao product addresses the long-standing issue of dark chocolate’s bitterness and astringency, making nutrient-dense, 70% dark chocolate more appealing to a wider range of consumers. By harnessing the magical power of a mushroom mycelium-derived flavor modulator, Macalat has transformed the dark chocolate experience, offering an authentic, sugar-free sweet dark chocolate that reveals the natural deep flavors of cacao while eliminating any bitter notes and unpleasant mouthfeel.
The Bitter Dilemma
Seventy percent dark chocolate has gained popularity due to its numerous health benefits, but many people don’t like its bitter taste and astringent mouthfeel. Currently, only a small percentage of chocolate is consumed as dark chocolate. This poses a challenge for organic chocolate producers seeking to create dark chocolate that is both nutritious and enjoyable. Traditional methods of masking bitterness with excessive sugar and/or by adding milk are not in keeping with a healthy lifestyle. Likewise, artificial sweeteners are falling out of favor with today’s health-conscious consumers. (There are no organic artificial sweeteners.)
The Role of Mushroom Mycelium
Macalat’s breakthrough lies in its integration of MycoTechnology’s ClearIQ™ mushroom mycelium-derived flavor modulator, an incredible natural solution for overcoming the bitterness and astringency commonly associated with dark chocolate. Produced using organic mushroom mycelial fermentation, this natural flavor modulator effectively blocks the perception of astringent and bitter flavors. This binding process allows the full flavor spectrum of cacao to emerge, unveiling the sweet, complex and nuanced tastes that until now lay hidden beneath the bitterness.
Unveiling the True Flavor of Cacao
Bitterness, astringency and other off-notes can mask the delicate and delicious flavors within high-quality chocolate. By using mushroom mycelium flavor modulation, Macalat reduces these overpowering sensations, resulting in a brighter, cleaner and clarified flavor. This technique not only enhances the taste experience but also preserves the integrity of other superfood functional ingredients frequently looked for in today’s chocolate. The use of mushroom mycelium-flavor modulator as a natural, bitter blocker and flavor clarifier sets Macalat apart as a pioneer in the cacao industry.
Health and Taste Harmony
Today’s consumers increasingly seek nutrient-dense foods that don’t compromise on taste. Macalat’s use of mushroom mycelium flavor modulator addresses this demand by neutralizing the bitterness associated with fermented cacao, eliminating bitter notes from the tongue and the mouth in general. This remarkable mycelium flavor modulator enables Macalat to create sugar-free dark chocolate that delivers a richer, smoother and more vibrant cacao flavor. By harmonizing healthfulness and taste, Macalat appeals to the modern chocolate connoisseur and the emerging health-conscious superfoodie.
The Consumer Perspective
According to the IFI Food and Health Study 2020, a staggering 88% of consumers prioritize taste when making purchasing decisions, surpassing factors such as price, healthfulness, convenience and environmental impact. Macalat recognizes this priority and has successfully developed a chocolate that caters to the discerning taste buds of consumers while offering a healthier alternative. With Macalat Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate, the need for excessive sugar and milk to counteract bitterness is eliminated, aligning with the evolving consumer trend of reducing sugar and dairy intake.
Embracing Culinary Science and Innovation
Macalat’s approach to creating a new category in the chocolate world is rooted in culinary science and bears a touch of mushroom magic. The brand’s commitment to culinary innovation, combined with a deep understanding of the science behind flavor, has paved the way for this groundbreaking cacao product. By leveraging transformative superfood ingredients, Macalat assures great taste and great nutrition, fulfilling its mission of providing food that is both delicious and beneficial.
Collaboration With MycoTechnology
To achieve this remarkable breakthrough, Macalat partnered with MycoTechnology, an industry leader specializing in mycelia-based solutions. The collaboration between Macalat and MycoTechnology has enabled a revolutionary dark chocolate experience. By incorporating the magic of mycelium, Macalat demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary cooperation and innovation in the pursuit of an exceptional new chocolate category.
Conclusion
Macalat Organic Sweet Dark Chocolate represents a significant innovation in the $140 billion global chocolate trade, of which dark chocolate accounts for $50 billion. Macalat is in the vanguard of a new chocolate category. By leveraging the unique properties of mushroom mycelium, Macalat has eliminated the bitterness and astringency that often deter consumers from enjoying wholesome dark chocolate. This breakthrough not only enhances the flavor experience but also aligns with the growing demand for healthier, tastier alternatives. Macalat’s dedication to culinary science and its collaboration with MycoTechnology exemplifies the brand’s commitment to delivering a sweet, innovative, great-tasting and nutrient-dense 70% dark chocolate that is sugar-free. With Macalat, the future of chocolate is not only sweeter but also brighter, cleaner and more satisfying without sugar or the bitterness and astringency that sugar seeks to hide.
About Macalat
Developed by organic taste guru John Troy, known as the Organic Taste Wizard in the organic food trade, Macalat represents years of meticulous research and development, with novel production protocols. Seeing how valuable this delicious innovation is for helping consumers solve the problem of eliminating sugar from their diet while also enjoying a healthy, sweet treat, Lisa Ellis assumed the role of president of The Macalat Company in 2022 to help make Macalat more accessible to ingredient-conscious consumers. Macalat is available online and on Amazon and in stores including Earth Fare, Weaver Street Market, Bulldega Urban Market and Green Sage Café. Learn more here or visit us on Facebook.
Media Contacts
Lisa Ellis, The Macalat Company, lisa@macalat.com, tel: 919.606.1754
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042