Natural Innovation & Indigenous Storytelling

When ruby chocolate burst onto the scene in 2017, it sparked fascination across the chocolate world. With its distinctive rosy hue and berry-like flavour, this "fourth type of chocolate" promised something entirely new.

But behind the Instagram-worthy aesthetics lies a story of innovation, intrigue, and some seriously interesting facts that most people don't know. At Chocolate On Purpose®, we've embraced this remarkable innovation, pairing it with native Australian raspberries to create a chocolate experience that honours both cutting-edge discovery and Indigenous plant wisdom.

The 13-Year Journey to Launch: How Ruby Chocolate Became Real

Ruby chocolate wasn't an overnight sensation. It was discovered by chance around 2004, a full 13 years before its official launch to the world on 5 September 2017 in Shanghai, China.

Those who discovered it filed patents in 2009 and 2015 (with the European patent granted in 2012 and the US patent in 2015), protecting their proprietary processing method that unlocks the natural pink colour and fruity flavour from specific cocoa beans. This wasn't just about finding a new bean, it was about perfecting a revolutionary production technique.

Japan's Ruby Chocolate Phenomenon: The First Global Success

Here's a fun fact that showcases ruby chocolate's instant appeal: Japan got it first!

The world's first commercial ruby chocolate product was the KitKat Chocolatory Sublime Ruby, launched exclusively in Japan and South Korea on 19 January 2018. And the Japanese market didn't just embrace it - they went wild for it.

Within the first year of launch, over 100 ruby chocolate products from 40+ brands flooded the Japanese market. From premium confections to everyday treats, ruby chocolate became a cultural phenomenon in a country already famous for its chocolate obsession. It was the perfect test market for this innovative product, and it proved that consumers were hungry for something genuinely new.

Debunking Ruby Chocolate Myths: The "Destroyed Tree" Misconception

I was at an event when another chocolate maker declared, "I don't use ruby chocolate because 'the ruby chocolate tree is destroyed after seven cycles.'"

I paused. What? There is no "ruby chocolate tree."

So I figured there must be other misinformation about Ruby Chocolate, which is one of our biggest sellers, so today I'm sharing this pink deliciousness with you.

The Real Story: Ruby Cocoa Beans, Not a Separate Tree

The company that developed ruby chocolate through over a decade of research made their initial discovery of this 4th type of chocolate around 10 years ago. This chocolate is made from ruby cocoa beans, which come from the same Theobroma cacao trees as brown cacao beans, grown in Ecuador, Brazil, and Ivory Coast. But the difference... the ruby magic... is that specific terroir conditions allow certain beans to naturally develop ruby characteristics.

Why the "Seven-Cycle Destruction" Claim Is Economically Absurd

The claim that trees are "destroyed after seven cycles" is not only false, it's economically absurd. It's extremely unlikely any grower would burn a tree down after 7 years, when the average lifespan of a cocoa tree's production is 25 years with seedlings taking 3 years to mature to start producing. From a financial position, it would be crazy to destroy a perfectly good cocoa tree.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Cacao Farming

Sustainable cacao farming practices – like those promoted by Cocoa Horizons, which I partner with – focus on preserving trees, extending their productive life, and supporting farmer livelihoods. At Chocolate On Purpose®, we're committed to ethical sourcing that respects both the land and the growers who steward it.

The First New Chocolate Type in 80 Years

After dark, milk, and white, ruby is the newest chocolate discovery in 80 years. Ruby chocolate is officially recognised as the fourth type of chocolate, making it the first new chocolate category since white chocolate was developed in the 1930s.

That's an 80-year gap. Think about that for a moment- in an industry as established and explored as chocolate, creating something genuinely new is extraordinarily rare.

100% Natural Colour & Flavour: No Artificial Additives

One of the most common questions about ruby chocolate is: "Is that colour real?"

The answer is an emphatic yes. Born from the ruby cocoa bean, it has a natural pink colour without the addition of any colourants or fruit flavourings. It all comes from the beans and a proprietary processing method.

How the Magic Happens: The Processing Method

The process involves treating specially selected cocoa beans (sourced primarily from Ecuador, Brazil, and Ivory Coast) with citric acid – a naturally occurring compound found abundantly in fruits like lemons and limes. This controlled acidification, combined with specific fermentation techniques, unlocks the natural ruby colour and fruity flavour compounds already present in the beans.

The beans themselves aren't inherently pink – the magic happens in the processing. By manipulating the pH levels and fermentation, it preserves and enhances naturally occurring anthocyanins and polyphenols that would normally be lost or transformed during traditional chocolate production.

Innovation Rooted in Nature: Unlocking Hidden Potential

Ruby chocolate represents something profound: genuine innovation that honours what nature already provides. It proves that even in a centuries-old industry, there's room for discovery when you approach ingredients with curiosity and respect.

This isn't about adding artificial colours or synthetic flavours to create something "new." It's about unlocking potential that was always there, waiting to be understood. The ruby cocoa beans held these compounds all along – it just took years of research, experimentation, and a willingness to see chocolate differently to bring them to light.

The berry-like notes, the rosy hue, the creamy texture, all of it comes from the bean itself and the careful, intentional way it's processed. That's the real magic of ruby chocolate.

Ruby Chocolate Goes Global: A Worldwide Sensation

Since its launch, ruby chocolate has captured imaginations worldwide. From artisan chocolatiers to major confectionery brands, creators have embraced this new category with enthusiasm and creativity.

It's become a favourite for:

• 🍫 Valentine's Day – the natural pink colour makes it perfect for romantic gifting
• 🍫 Premium confections – its unique flavour profile elevates luxury chocolate experiences
• 🍫 Innovative pairings – the fruity notes pair beautifully with berries, florals, and botanicals
• 🍫 Visual appeal – that stunning natural colour makes every creation Instagram-worthy

Ruby chocolate has proven that consumers are ready for innovation, hungry for authenticity, and excited about chocolate that tells a different story.

Our Tribute: Ruby Chocolate with Raspberry (Gamalang)

At Chocolate On Purpose®, we couldn't resist paying tribute to this rubylicious gem of the rainforest. We've paired Belgian couverture, ethically sourced, ruby chocolate with the delicate sweetness of Gamalang (native Australian raspberries) to create our Ruby Chocolate with Raspberry (Gamalang) – our celebration of this remarkable innovation.

The Perfect Pairing: Ruby Chocolate Meets Gamalang

The vibrant hue, creamy texture, and intense fruitiness of ruby chocolate meets the subtle sweetness and floral notes of raspberries. Ruby chocolate has an intense fruitiness and fresh, sour note, and we've paired it with raspberries to create a creamy berry tingle on your tongue! In fact many of our customers call it a Native Fruit Tingle!

We've celebrated ruby chocolate for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, and enrobed a traditional Turkish Confection called Karyoko in ruby chocolate for guests at Orange Food Week! 

About Native Australian Raspberries (Gamalang)

Appearance: A slightly paler red than European raspberries with a softer flesh and tarter taste. Grows on a scrambling shrub with cane-like stems sprouting syrupy red-orange berries.

Taste: A tender texture, a sweet delicate taste and a pleasant aroma. Raspberries have a fresh sweetness to them, but their tartness undertone makes their sweetness subtle. They also have a sort of floral/rose note which helps balance the sweetness perfectly.

Traditional First Nations Uses: High in antioxidants, making them a valuable nutritional food source. Could be gathered and eaten straight from the vines and used in traditional food preparation.

First Nations Medicinal Uses of Gamalang Leaves (Traditional Tea)

Women's Health: Relief for painful menstruation, help with morning sickness, and support during childbirth

General Health: Treatment for flu symptoms, sore throat relief (reducing inflammation), treatment for diarrhoea, and used as a digestive aid

Research has shown that native raspberry fruit contains high levels of antioxidants, making it a nutritious food source. The leaves can help relax smooth muscles of the uterus, validating use during pregnancy and labour, and have anti-inflammatory properties making them beneficial for menstrual cramp pain relief.

Mindful Indulgence: The Chocolate On Purpose® Experience

We invented 'Mindful Indulgence' by choosing to mould our chocolate creations in bite-sized pieces (35mm x 35mm x 5mm) packaged in a 100g zip-sealed Stand-Up Pouch, so our customers can enjoy a few pieces in conscious consumption and reseal the bag for continued enjoyment another time.

This isn't just about convenience – it's about creating a more intentional relationship with chocolate. Each piece invites you to slow down, savour, and truly experience the flavours, textures, and stories within.

Our work being recognised in the Best Chocolate Category of the Clean & Conscious Awards 

How We've Celebrated Ruby Chocolate at Chocolate On Purpose®

Ruby chocolate arrived in our world at a moment when we were already deeply committed to honouring innovation, celebrating nature's hidden potential, and telling stories through chocolate.

From the moment we first experienced its distinctive rosy hue and berry-forward character, we knew this was more than a trend – it was an invitation to create something meaningful.

Our Ruby Chocolate Journey

When we first introduced ruby chocolate to our range, it wasn't just about adding another product to our shelves. It was about recognising the philosophy that true innovation comes from respecting what nature provides and unlocking its potential through thoughtful, intentional processing.

We saw in ruby chocolate a reflection of our own mission- to honour the wisdom of plant knowledge keepers, to celebrate the extraordinary in the everyday, and to create chocolate experiences that tell a deeper story.

The Perfect Canvas for Storytelling

Ruby chocolate's natural beauty and fruity character opened up possibilities we'd been dreaming about. Its vibrant, naturally-derived pink hue aligned perfectly with our commitment to 100% natural ingredients and authentic storytelling. No artificial colours. No shortcuts. Just pure, botanical integrity.

This was chocolate that demanded to be paired with something equally meaningful – something that carried its own cultural significance and nutritional wisdom. And that's when we knew: raspberries (Gamalang) were the answer.

Why Gamalang Matters

Gamalang isn't just a berry – it's a keeper of women's health wisdom, a gatherer's treasure, and a plant that our Ancestors understood deeply. By pairing ruby chocolate with native Australian raspberries, we created something that honours both innovation and tradition.

The tartness of Gamalang balances the fruity intensity of ruby chocolate. The floral notes echo each other. Together, they create a sensory experience that speaks to both the modern chocolate lover and the plant knowledge keeper within us all.

A Celebration of What's Possible

Every piece of our Ruby Chocolate with Raspberry (Gamalang) is an invitation to pause, to savour, and to remember that extraordinary things happen when we approach our ingredients – and our creativity – with respect and curiosity.

Ruby chocolate taught the world that even in an industry centuries old, there's always room for discovery. At Chocolate On Purpose®, we're committed to honouring that spirit- by celebrating innovations like ruby chocolate, by elevating native botanicals like Gamalang, and by creating chocolate experiences that nourish both body and soul.

This is what mindful indulgence looks like: chocolate that's been thoughtfully sourced, intentionally paired, and created with purpose.

Wiradyuri Language Glossary

Throughout this post, we've woven in words from Wiradyuri language—the language of the Wiradjuri people of the Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, and Macquarie Rivers region. Here's what they mean:

Gamalang – Native Australian raspberries; a gatherer's treasure with deep significance in women's health and traditional food preparation.

Walumarra – Guardian; a protector of knowledge, Culture, and community. When you join our Walumarra Chocolate Mob, you become a guardian of People, Planet, and Equity alongside us.

Yindyamarra – Respect, gratitude, honour, and mindfulness. It's the philosophy that guides everything we do at Chocolate On Purpose®—honouring the land, the growers, the ingredients, and each other.

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Wiradyuri language is the living language of the Wiradjuri people. By learning and using these words, we honour the knowledge keepers and the Country from which this chocolate story emerges.

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