Cocomels, a Madhava, Ltd.-owned maker of coconut milk candies, is launching Organic Crispy Chocolate-Covered Bites.
The new snack features a chewy coconut center covered in 60% dark chocolate tossed with organic crisped quinoa. The vegan-friendly bites are free from dairy, gluten, GMOs, corn syrup and cholesterol.
“We tested a range of puffed grain options and found that crisped quinoa delivers the ideal crunch we were trying to achieve, while also maintaining the organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan-friendly standards that are so important to us,” says JJ Rademaekers, founder of Cocomels.
The goal was to challenge consumer perceptions that caramel candies are traditionally consumed as a dessert or special treat, he added.
“The rich, deep flavor of caramel along with its signature chew can make it feel less snackable at times,” Rademaekers says. “Balancing the flavor and consistency with chocolate and crunch, we believe, takes it to a much more snackable space.”
Cocomels Crispy Bites will debut online through Amazon and the brand’s direct-to-consumer website, and at select grocery chains and independent retailers this fall. They are available in 5.5-oz sharing packs for a suggested retail price of $4.99.