KITKAT Introduces First Ruby Chocolate Bar

Nestlé Japan Ltd. launches the Ruby chocolate version of its KITKAT brand in KITKAT Chocolatory stores in Japan and South Korea, as well as online.

KITKAT is the first to offer this fourth type of chocolate – next to Dark, Milk and White – to consumers, just five months after Ruby chocolate was introduced by Barry Callebaut.

KITKAT Chocolatory Sublime Ruby will be available from Friday, January 19.

Since the announcement in Shanghai on September 5, 2017, Ruby chocolate has been attracting strong interest from chocolate connoisseurs throughout the world. The Ruby chocolate used in KITKAT Chocolatory Sublime Ruby has a fresh berry-fruity taste and characteristic color. Ruby chocolate is made from the Ruby cocoa bean; no berries, berry flavor, nor color are added. For creating ruby chocolate, Barry Callebaut managed to unlock an innovative process that took many years to develop.

Sublime Ruby was created through the craftsmanship of top pâtissier Yasumasa Takagi. It will be available for purchase in the KITKAT Chocolatory stores as well as online. KITKAT Chocolatory is a specialty store in Japan and South-Korea selling premium KITKAT chocolates created under the direction of Yasumasa Takagi, owner-chef of Le Pâtissier Takagi.

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut: “I am very pleased that our innovative breakthrough Ruby chocolate has come to life so quickly through our partnership with Nestle and the pioneering KITKAT Brand in Japan. Nestle was very quick in spotting the trend and in introducing a Ruby chocolate version of KITKAT, which will entice consumers across Asia and beyond.”