Cargill has extended its Gerkens range with the launch of a dark intense red cocoa powder, produced by Gerkens technical specialists at the Gresik cocoa processing facility in Indonesia.

Cargill launches red cocoa powder

Cargill has extended its Gerkens range with the launch of a dark intense red cocoa powder. It was produced, the company says, as a result of a research and development breakthrough by Gerkens technical specialists at the Gresik cocoa processing facility in Indonesia.

“This next-generation cocoa powder has an exceptional red colour,” said Dick Brinkman, manager Technical Service, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “Looking at the market and consumer insights we have gathered, we note that across all categories there are clear consumer needs regarding further sophistication and choice in chocolate flavoured products. This new powder is an example of effective innovation which will broaden the offering across dessert, ice cream and chocolate milk products and invite consumers to try new products.”

Gerkens dark intense red cocoa powder is said to be ideally positioned for chocolate ice cream, drink and dessert applications which reflect the premium trend towards intense rich colours and flavours, as well as the use of contrasting colours and multiple chocolate shades.

Gerkens cocoa powder is backed by a dedicated R&D centre for cocoa at Wormer in The Netherlands, with over 100 varieties of cocoa powder produced as a result of its work.

Linked to this R&D centre are a wider global network of application centres and development facilities across five continents, home to scientists and technologists, undertaking research on emerging trends, supported by the knowledge and expertise of food scientists, nutritional experts, and technicians from different sectors.

“All this research comes together to create ‘joined-up expertise’ via our T-model approach,” said Emiel van Dijk, Strategy & Innovation Leader at Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “This combines knowledge across multiple food-related industries matched with our deep cocoa and chocolate expertise, allowing customers to develop the latest and greatest innovations. Gerkens dark intense red powder is the perfect example of how innovative R&D can result in a unique ingredient which creates the potential for a broadened range of chocolate-flavoured products.”