Taking It with a Pinch of Salt

Walking down the aisle of any modern supermarket, a sweet-toothed observer will notice a variety of combinations of cacao with exotic ingredients designed to tantalise the taste buds. As a supplier of wholesale chocolates, I get to see (and taste!) innovative and surprising blends of flavours and ingredients from all over the world. The last few decades have seen common sea salt becoming more and more prevalent; from salted caramel ice cream to humble cinema popcorn, this flexible ingredient is a confectioner’s dream. The question is, why is it so popular?

Why Salt is Taking the Confectionery World by Storm

The short answer is that the combination of salty and sweet tastes good! It’s true that there is something undeniably pleasing about these two flavours used in tandem.

Although it’s romantic to picture chocolatiers inventing new flavours by experimentally throwing a dash-of-this and a dash-of-that into steaming pots, the science behind this phenomenon is incredible. Detectors in our bodies that are usually not triggered by sugar are "awakened" by salt; even a small amount enhances the body’s ability to taste sugary sweetness. Just a sprinkle turns these sensors into secondary sugar detectors. All this means that the sweetness is intensified without the need for extra sugar.

The great news for retailers is that, according to studies, chocolate and salt are the top two food cravings; a product with the two packs a very satisfying punch indeed. This makes it likely that customers will keep coming back for more mouth-watering delights.

The Cream of the Crop

As providers of quality wholesale chocolates, we are in the unique position of being able to sample and evaluate some of the best examples of this trend available today.

Classic with a Twist: The Montezuma Sea Dog Lime and Sea Salt bar combines classic dark Peruvian chocolate with refreshing lime and a dash of sea salt. This unique flavour profile cleverly sweetens the bitter bar with the salt, making for a really special product.

Pretty in Pink: Divine’s Fairtrade dark bar with pink Himalayan salt keeps it simple, using 60% Ghanaian chocolate and a delicate rose-coloured salt. Himalayan salt is not just a pretty face – it is also known for its nutritional properties as it contains many essential minerals.

Sweet Dreams: For a sophisticated and luxurious indulgence, I would recommend the Barú Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Marshmallows. These are far from children’s day-glow squishy squares. Sweet, fluffy marshmallows are topped with delicious burnt sugar caramel and a sprinkling of Fleur de Sel before being entirely coated in a dark shell. Barú’s bite-sized treats are also flavoured with honey and vanilla bean, rounding out the flavour.

As you can see, many of our most popular brands have invested in the sweet-and-salty trend uniting high quality ingredients and speciality salts. If you are intrigued by our range of wholesale chocolates, please contact our knowledgeable sales team. For now, salt is here to stay and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Angelina Moufftard works for hf Chocolates, established wholesale chocolates suppliers with decades of experience supplying sweets and high-end chocolates to retailers across the UK. Working with the most dedicated suppliers from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the USA and the UK, hf Chocolates' great tasting and beautifully packaged products add panache to any sweet display.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.